Finally replaced the pitman arm (AC delco-pro). It was my second attempt, last fall i replaced the idler arm and idler arm bracket and failed with the pitman arm (also AC Delco Pro). I removed the sway bar which gave me plenty of room to swing my mini sledge on the pickle fork this time. I tried 2 and 3 jaw pullers but they would not grip the center link well. Removal from the steering gear was a breeze with my air tools. I replaced the sway bar bushings and endlinks with hard blue urethane bushings (AC Delco/Moog). WOW, it handles like a totally different truck, not like cornering a land yacht anymore. High winds dont blow me all over the highway anymore. Oh yeah, I also replaced the leaking oil cooler block off plate gasket, I hope that's all the leaking was from since the rear main seal is only 2 years old.
Even with all the east coast rust and 250k miles its still easier to work on than any Ford or Jeep I have owned in the past.
Rant: WTF are there so many damn sway bar sizes??? I was going to replace the rear bushings and endlinks as well, but the bushings are too big.