The OTC bearingsplitter is a nice tool but it needed some work before it was useable, the surface the nuts ride on was very rough and needed to be flattened.
Should have seen that before destroying the nuts that came with it (sigh)
So, after messing around for a while with splitter the bearingholder/axle combination is the clear winner!
No movement whatsoever.
Even with steel fillers between the hub surface and the splitter there is simply not enough of the wedge part of the splitter engaged before its body hits the bearingholder, Just not enough push to shove.
It seems there is no way of doing this without the help of a shop press.
I was quoted $85 for both axles.
Since the trooper is my youngest vehicle now seems a good time to invest in a press for this and future use.
Waiting for another new toy to arrive.
Now all I need is an excuse to buy a nice 2-post lift!