i have a '97 4x4 with 8.8 open diffs front and rear with 3.55 gears. i also have a complete 8.8 LS rear axle from a 2001 f150 and a front diff from a '97 sitting in my garage right now.
i plan on getting some motive gear front and rear 4.56 ring and pinion gear sets to install in the ones that are sitting in my garage right now. i also plan on changing bearings and rebuilding the limited slip in the '01 axle.

the question i have is can i set these ones up and rebuild them completely in my garage and then just change around the complete axles with what is in my truck right now? or do i have to set them up while they're in the truck?

just how hard is it to set up the gears so they wont whine and self destruct? everyone seems to tell me it's alot of work but i am willing to do alot of work just as long as it's not on my back in the driveway with dirt falling into my eyes. is it some kind of special art form to set them up?
i am mechanically inclined and have changed transmissions and clutches before and i did install a shift kit in my current transmission. how much harder can the diffs possibly be?

also is there any differences between the 2001 rear axle and the '97 in my truck right now?

 

i was wrong about the other axle i have. it's actually a 2003 limited slip rear end with 3.08 gears.
is this easily interchangable with my '97 rear end?