Ok, though it would be obvious and simple, like it WAS on cars in the past...
Rear-most connection before pumpkin, need to replace the U-Joint.
I got the four bolts out at the flange but the shaft won't drop.
I beat on the connection a bit, not enough to hurt though.
It's like the two parts are mated for life.

What am I missing?
How the heck do I get this apart and drop the shaft to replace the U-Joint???

 

Need to just pry it apart. Spray some PB blaster on it. I've heard of some guys putting the truck in gear with the bolts out. Be careful and smart if you do that. Have you taken the front and carriage bearing support off?

 

I got it, gently bumped it into reverse.
Do I take the CV boot off and pull the shaft out backwards?

 

Shaft still attached to the carrier, I have the retainer clips out and can't get the U-joint out.
Beat the stuffings out of it right on the bearing end?

 

I had a shop press to get that carrier bearing off.

 

Not the carrier, the U-Joint. Its pretty well frozen in there.
Would it be easier if I removed the CV boot and does the shaft slide back off the carrier?

 

Anyone?
Press off or able to hammer?

 

What I have done in the past to get a u-joint out of its hole is to use a socket of the same size and then use a hammer on the socket.

 

under the boot is the spline so just pull it out and its index so it only goes back in one way. Now the rear u-joint once you remove the four c-clips holding the joint in you can either use a big c-clamp and sockets or a big bench vise or a press if you have one to push the old u-joint out. Mine were not rusting at all but even with my 20ton shop press they still came out very hard i would soak the u-joint with PB or some other good penetrating oil and then get a little hand torch from a parts store and heat the old u-joint a little and then push it out, it will make this alot easier

 

I had the same experience last week when I went to grease my driveshaft splines. I took the 4 bolts out holding the driveshaft to the read diff, expecting the driveshaft to fall as soon as I pulled the last bolt. Nothing! Pulled on it. Finally, after 10 minutes of light tapping with a hammer it began to move. When I put it back together, I applied grease to the mating surfaces in the hope it will be easier next time.