the shifter piece has to come out, then all the bolts, and then tap it apart. The gear sets do not have to come out.

It is safer because the end case isn't meant to be pressed or pulled off that way. With where you have it now I'd keep going the direction you did. Once you get the roll pins knocked in you should have just enough room to get the outputshaft cap out. You'll probably need someone to hold over on it while you tap the old output shaft out.