axle change

I have a 1996 ranger manual trans, 4x4 with locking hubs. I want to remove the axles so I can pull the front diff to reseal it. I took off the hub lockers, and behind that there seem to be two nuts that have a sort of slotted drive . I imagine I need a special socket to remove these. Any idea...

I am at the junk yard and found a F7 axel off a 1988 ford ranger and I was wondering if it is an easy swap into a 1996 ranger XLT 2wd with a 2.3 L4

I am a novice at this and I know nothing about trucks, so bear with me, please. My first '92 Ranger had the "Tow package", which I am assuming included the Payload Package #2 and the correct axle ratio. It was rated to tow 4500 lbs and I towed a 3500 lb Lance 5th wheel. I now have the same...