You will have a hard time getting the correct preload with a used crush sleeve. I would try to find a crush sleeve eliminator kit or at least use a new crush sleeve. The correct way to measure is with the pinion only in the case, however I have over the years on a vehicle that showed no rear end problems I have checked the preload without disassembling anything, just jacked rear off the ground and then matching that number on reassembly, not the right way but it can work.

 

The pinion crush sleeve/preload spacer is the same as the Ford 9 inch.

You can probably get a MOROSO or Richmond Gear spacer kit. Maybe find one at local speed shop or order from Summit or Jegs.

Measure the crush spacer and then subtract .002" to .005" less than the used crush spacer you removed. Assemble the pinion with the spacer and without the new seal using the old nut to test the preload. Add or subtract spacers to get the right feel. You will not be able to actually measure the preload with the ring gear installed. Preload is measure in inch/pounds not foot/pounds.

Once satisfied with the preload, remove old nut and flange, install new seal and new nut. Not sure what the torque specs would be with the spacer. Would torque to at least 150 ft/lbs.

 

Most of the time if the nut has not backed off you can mark it before you remove it and then take it back to the mark when reinstalling (or a little more)
It takes a LOT of torque to crush the sleeve, I bet you will find that you have to tighten the nut a lot the get it back to the mark.
This works fine if all the bearings are still good and the nut has not backed off at all.
Opps, I didn' read your first post correctly, this won' work when you change the yoke.

 

 

15 inch pounds is close, I don't have any of my books handy right now but 15 in. lbs is with just the pinion in the case no ring gear. As I said earlier and Just Strokin said get a gear spacer kit and measure the old crush sleeve and adjust the spacer to that dimension and see how it feels. Crush sleeves are NOT reusable and unless you are going to remove the ring and carrier, to get the right preload with a new crush sleeve takes a lot of tighening torque and it is very easy to either get too little or too much preload, it can be a viscious circle. I have been doing rear ends for 50 years and always use a solid spacer if at all possible.

 

Here is the procedure less photos from the 2014 Ford Workshop manual DVD...

Removal

NOTICE: The color on the rear face of the drive pinion nut is critical to this repair. Use the same color new drive pinion nut for installation. If a new collapsible spacer must be installed for pinion bearing preload reduction, install the nut supplied with the new spacer kit or damage to the component may occur.

Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Section 205-02E .

Remove the driveshaft. Refer to Section 205-01 .

Install a Nm torque wrench on the pinion nut and record the rotational torque required to maintain rotation of the pinion through several revolutions.

Using the Drive Pinion Flange Holding Fixture to hold the pinion flange, remove the pinion nut.

Discard the pinion nut.

Mark the pinion flange in relation to the drive pinion stem to make sure alignment is correct during installation.

Using the 2 Jaw Puller, remove the pinion flange.

Force up on the metal flange of the rear axle drive pinion seal. Install gripping pliers to the seal flange and strike with a hammer until the rear axle drive pinion seal is removed.

Installation

Lubricate the new pinion seal with clean long-life grease.

NOTICE: If the rear axle drive pinion seal becomes misaligned during installation, remove it and install a new seal. Failure to install a new seal will result in a fluid leak and possible component damage.

Using the Drive Pinion Oil Seal Installer, install a new rear axle drive pinion seal.

Lubricate the pinion flange splines with clean synthetic rear axle lubricant.

NOTE: Disregard the scribe marks if a new pinion flange is being installed.

Align the pinion flange with the drive pinion shaft.

Using the Drive Pinion Flange Holding Fixture and Drive Pinion Flange Installer, install the pinion flange.

Install the new washer and pinion nut. Only hand-tighten the pinion nut at this time.

NOTICE: Do not loosen the pinion nut to reduce drive pinion bearing preload. Install a new drive pinion collapsible spacer and pinion nut if drive pinion bearing preload reduction is necessary. If a new collapsible spacer must be installed for pinion bearing preload reduction, install the nut supplied with the new spacer kit or damage to the component may occur.

Using the Drive Pinion Flange Holding Fixture to hold the pinion flange, tighten the pinion nut to set the drive pinion bearing preload.

Tighten the pinion nut, rotating the pinion occasionally to make sure the drive pinion bearings are seating correctly. Take frequent drive pinion bearing preload readings by rotating the drive pinion gear with a Nm (lb-in) torque wrench. The final readings must be 0.56 Nm (5 lb-in) more than the initial reading taken during removal.

After the torque reading is correct, using a round tip centerpunch, stake the pinion nut.

Install the driveshaft. Refer to Section 205-01 .

Install the axle shafts. Refer to Section 205-02E .