swapping evinrude v6 driveshafts, hard way or easy way?

[suzukidave]

looking for opinions on whether a "racing" driveshaft swap shortcut i've read about it a good idea.

i have a 2005 etec 200 90 degree 3.3 xl motor with high hours and a bad magnum lower unit (no forward gear and metal shavings). to replace the leg i have picked up a used 2002 ficht 60 degree 175 xl magnum lower unit for a good price. they are the same with the same gear ratio other than shift shaft and driveshafts.

so i need to swap the upper driveshafts across because they are different lengths.

so i need to pull both driveshafts.

according to the manual, to do this i need to pull the carrier, remove the pinion nut and pull the drive shaft assembly and then remove the roller pin to separate the upper driveshaft. this requires i buy 4 evinrude tools i don't own (driveshaft socket, pinion nut wrench, carrier puller, driveshaft removal tool).

according to some old threads i have found on the internet i can pull the upper drive shaft out using vice grips and a big hammer, or i can use the official evinrude driveshaft removal tool. if i do either i will bend a retainer and so the driveshaft will not lock back in when i swap it and it will float. some say that is fine and racers do it. others say that is the opposite of fine and will cause issues.

what say you?

for those who think it is fine, should i get the driveshaft removal tool so i do less damage to the retainer when i remove the shaft?

for those who think i should do it the hard way, do you have any recommendations on where to get those tools for less than the prices i am seeing? i am all for getting new tools whenever i get an excuse but these will cost more than the lower unit did.

thanks in advance for any advice or tips