I have spent most of the day catching up on honey dos. Now I can get back to the Elky. :)

Forgetting about the exact tools needed.

How do I loosen the castle nuts on the front axles of the Toyota? I keep thinking if the front is in thed air and I try and loosen them, that they will just free spin, since nothing is locking the axles from moving.

not sure what you're doing Dave, can't visualize it, i know ef all bout FWD toyota's.

I need to remove the axles. Imagine you are trying to get the lug nuts off, but the front tires are in the air. Hard, because the tire spins. I usuaslly loosessn the lugs before I lift the car.

Put it in gear?

put a crow bar against the lugnuts to counter..
Gear won't work , he'll just spin the other wheel through the Diff.

Maybe, but if I'm using a breaker bar to loosen 200+ lbs., I need a long bar. The crowbar would need to jam to the ground, because I won't be close to hold it.

I guess I also need to go out to the car - it's not near me - and take a look. if I can get access to the castle nut with the tire on, I guess I leave the car on the ground with the brakes on and chocks. Maybe I can also get the crowbar to work.

4 feet of pipe over the breaker bar should do the trick

I guess I will go to the airport and get a game plan. Gotta start somewhere. :)

Other than the castle nut, I think this is a straight forward procedure.

Your response hits pretty close to home.
In the 'official findings' of the HR investigation, it was stated that the relationship between TEB and I was ill-advised, but not inappropriate on her part. They then completely dismissed the hostile work environment issue that she caused after she ended the relationship (I actually have proof that they know she lied about several incidents and that she was uncooperative in the investigation) and proceeded to terminate me for texting 'fuch you, you self absorbed b!tc#'

I have a few theories on the closed door events that lead to the final decision and that decision was certainly theirs to make, but knowing ones enemy should always factor into your decision making....TEB is the only person I've let in to that part of how my mind works, she could have seen this coming.
She quietly cried through much of the restraining order hearing, then got a big $#it eating grin when it was denied. Again, if she would have pulled her head out of her ass, she would have noticed that my grin was bigger. The hearing was a test shot, the RO would just have been a happy bonus. I gathered some valuable Intel and my former employer gave me yet another ace to put up my sleeve.

Leave the car on the ground with the wheel in place and go through the wheel center to break if free. Leave the car in gear and set the brake, or just use an impact gun

Thanks, Rick. That's what I thought. No impact gun - yet. :D That saves me a trip out to the ap. Tool store where I need to get the socket is closed today anyway.

If you are going to be jumping on the breaker bar with a pipe slid over the end of it, please get it on vid.
Remember to use jack stands while under the car

RE: jumping. Will do!

I always use jack stands. :) And when I can, I throw the tires under the car as well.

If the axle doesn't want to pop out of the trans, use a cheap screwdriver and drive it between the trans case and the axle flange. A deadblow hammer is a great tool for re-instillation into the gearbox

This is a Toyota we're talking about. How hard can it be? - Famous last words. :D

You just doomed yourself. Those can be a ***** to do

Howdy guys. I declared my El Camino a daily driver and I will drive it to work tomorrow.

Rick, your estimate of 3 hours to remove the old engine and 3 to put in the old engine makes the only finger on my hands which is the left hand middle finger stand up for you.

Well if it was easy everybody would be doing it. Glad ya got it done Glen. Don't forget to change the oil and filter after 500 miles