Thanks for the replies guys - but still a little bit confused about something...

RE: "3/4 impact gun" or "3/4" drive deep socket"

Are you referring to the drive? Because the pinion nut I have on my truck is bigger than 1". (I was looking for the nut size in another thread)

3B - the rig you described, its purpose is to hold the pinion while I use the impact on it correct? Such that I'm not working against the gears?