Great write up! Very helpful.
A few additional thoughts....
1. Jacking the right side is unnecessary, but helpful I think. Gives you more room to wiggle about.
2. DO NOT under any circumstance forget the anti-seize unless you have no intention of ever removing the plugs. Last owner of my truck changed the plugs (even the rear right) but skipped the anti-seize. Had to use a reefer bar on the socket wrench to get the damn things turning. The one at the rear right was special, and I ended up breaking it in two while removing it.
3. Take a brush or air hose or scraper and remove some of the rust around the plugs before removing them. I had a lot in there - enough that in some cases I couldn't even get the socket in before digging out the rust.
4. Change the wires with the plugs, especially if you haven't done the plugs in a while or you don't know when the wires were last changed. You'll be happy with the results. Trust me - or search the forum for why.
5. While we're on the subject of parts, don't trust the parts counter morons to give you the right plugs and wires. Check then double check before you get messy and start opening things up. The guy I dealt with gave me 4 plugs for the Explorer and 2 plugs for a newer Chrysler 4.7. Funnily enough, I actually own a Jeep with that engine, but having just changed the plugs in there I had no use for the new ones. Cue PITA trip back to Canadian Tire to get the right plugs part way through the job
On a scale of 1-5, plugs is an easy 1. Nothing difficult here, and nothing the novice can't tackle on their own in the garage.