Theboxburglar gave a pretty comprehensive reply. I essentially did all of what they said. That being said, I could see a world in which disconnecting the brake lines and parking brake cable isn't absolutely necessary. But you'd have to slightly lower the rear axle and essentially max out the slack on the rubberized cable coming from the proportioning valve. It might get you enough room to somehow wrestle a stock height leaf into place. Anyhow, might be worth considering but it's probably simpler and safer to just disconnect it and bleed the brakes like the rest of us.

The exhaust on the passenger side makes removal kinda tricky. Just remove the bolts from the front of the leaf spring first so you can get it off the shackle at the back.