2. Yes you can! I just did it over the Christmas holiday. I put in a 96 axel. I had to go to rear disk brakes.

If you can find a 94 or later axel it will bolt right up. The 96 sway bar is heavier on the rear but the body mount points are the same. You will need a new e- brake cable too. I had a minor problem piloting the drive shaft to the differential flange that required me to grind on the pinon nut a little. Otherwise it was a bolt right up.
