Help! Rear Diff - I can't get it off!

Okay, a while back I put a spartan locker in my 94Runner's rear diff. A few weeks ago, the rear diff failed. Had to put it into 4wd to get it home. The driveshaft spins, but the wheels do not.

So, I have it on blocks. Tires off, brake and e-brake disconnected, both axles pulled clear of the diff, driveshaft disconnected. I got all the bolts and washers off around the edge of the diff. I've done all this before, so I know I didn't miss a step. Also, I triple-checked it at this point.

I can get the diff cover/carrier to pull out an inch or 2, but then it gets stuck. I can tell that it's on the passenger side that something is blocking it from coming off, but nothing I've tried will budge it enough to get it free.

I still have the old spider gears that I want to put back in it to get it going again until I can afford to get an electronic or air locker (no more of this auto-locker crap).

Anyway, does anyone have an idea that could help me get the diff open?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Sounds like a part has dropped down inside, have you tried turning the Pinion shaft when it gets stuck coming out? I am sure you tried to shine the light in to see if anything visible, try turning it side to side see if it moves any further something has dropped down and preventing the unit from coming out, pull it out as far as you can to where it stops and then push it back in a very little take something that is metal with a 90 degree bend that you can stick in around the bottom area to feel if any thing is in the way like one of the spider gears... worst case (I had to do this) is drop the entire assembly down and rotate it so the back faces down.

 

My Detroit TruTrac has been bullet proof.