The less crazy thing to do is leave the housing where it is, still attached to the truck.
You can do all the things you mentioned almost as easily in place as you can with it sitting 8' behind the truck if you were to remove it.

I see no advantage to removing the rear in your case.

Grigg

•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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"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-