I want to keep the axle. The mil-spec torsion axle, which has surge+parking brakes is really awesome. When I brought the trailer home, I literally yanked it off the flatbed, with just the dovetail, no ramps attached. Didn't give it a second thought. Not sure I would have been so carefree with a regular 5k torsion axle.
I already bought the replacement tires/wheels+spare so I'm stuck with the 8 lug rims for now (plus, I'm dreaming of getting a Chevy 2500 HD).
This may be a cool build, but it'll be a slooooow build.