Axle shafts can be easily removed at any point, they carry no weight/load.
Remove the little bolt on hub caps and slide the shafts out.
https://goo.gl/photos/FwbHAgamj2rPdLh99
The bigger trucks have "full floating" axles in that the hub is on two sets of bearings on a spindle to carry the weight. The axle shaft only transmits torque.

1/2 ton trucks and some later model 3/4 ton would have "semi floating" axles where the wheel is bolted to the actual axle shaft and would need to be jacked up to remove the shaft.

•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
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