I have never removed a differnetial carrier assembly before - so I thought it would be best to ask.

You should be able to remove the differential without taking the strut's off, i know i have done it a few times before, though the strut rod bracket is a bit in the way, it can be done... however, you will need to at least unbolt the bracket that the struts are attached to off the differential.   Obviously you've been down the route of working on the side yokes, so you know the half shafts and the road spring have to come out, along with the drive shaft,  the front differential mount and then the entire differential is taken out with the crossmember that it is attached

Thanks !  I'll give it a try with the struts in place - I'll remove them if I need to.  My friend should be here shortly and we will get to work.  He's never worked on car's and would like to get his hands dirty - and I am new to it all myself....oh boy !  a couple of 40 year old desk-jocky's doing their best !  good help me (and my poor little 68!)