are axles need for a ring and pinion install?

I found a local guy who can install my gears for me in my front diff but he needs my jeep for a few nights. Thats not a long time BUT my jeep is my daily driver and i need it at night. So i was thinking if i found a bare d30 housing (no axles in it) and gave it to him he could do the install ? Then when its done i could put my axles in it and install it in my xj.

Long question short - Can a ring and pinion be set without axle shafts?

thats a roger buddy

I just did mine this weekend that way. Bought a HP housing that way I could work on my front while I drove my jeep around. Plus it is easier to get a nice pattern when the housing is on a bench.