SPAZZ makes a good point. I did the axle drop so I wouldn't have to keep doing the CV's. Once youre in there to do the CV's the axle is only a 4 more bolts (granted they are big and tight) so you might as well go for it. Or.. once you're in there redoing the axle, you might as well grease up and boot the CV's one last time. Plus, dropping the axle in a shop is alot easier than replacing CV's on a trail 300 miles from home.

A FYI addendum, I'm pretty sure Alaska VX ended up with Randys (Coach) not quite finished VXV8. FWIW
I can't wait to see that beast come to life one of these days.