I was wondering if it is necessary to pop the lower ball joint when removing the rear differential. Is there any other way to do it because i don't have a ball joint popper. does anyone have a link for this install i tried searching but couldn't come up with anything. any help is appreciated.

 

They're all in the FAQ's:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=108435

You don't "have" to if you can shift the whole diff to one side about an inch to get the centering pin on the half shaft out. This requires that you unmount the diff first and support it in some way so that it can be moved from side to side.

 

could i unbolt the upper control arm and get the space i need from there.

 

Yes. That's how I did mine, but a word of caution -- getting those rearward bolts back in can be a REAL pain if the spring is lined up with the hole that the bolt has to go through. I had to compress the suspension with my floor jack and tap the bolt back in with a hammer.

 

It would be far less complicated to just go out and by a ball joint separator for a few bucks. (NOT a "pickle fork". )

 

Can I just pick up a ball joint seperator at sears?

 

Not sure about Sears but Autozone, Pepboys.