Anybody have any ideas on how to get the carrier gear out of the front differential on a 1998 Dodge 1500

 

Yeah...an axle spreader. I dunno if you could rent one from somewhere or not though.

or

Pry bars...very carefully. If you use this method, it's a good idea to put one of the caps back on halfway, so there's no chance that the carrier will fall out.

 

Someone showed me one time to use a come-a-long around the axle tube right next to the dif case from the front of the truck on a bumper hook or cross member.
It didn't take much pressure at all this way.
It sure made getting it back in easy too.
No prying or banging.