Time to contribute something to this DIY:
After fighting with the wheel hubs forever trying to break them loose I decided to try something. Looking at the hub, I saw no reason to have to remove it in order to install the studs, and I remember it being super easy the first time I tried it. Sure enough, you can easily install ARP studs without removing the hubs in the front:
That is what that hole is for in the dust shield, you could install studs twice as long if you wanted.. you just pull it through, seat the stud with a nut to suck it through, then rotate and do the next, etc. I thought that's what it was like, but couldn't remember then reading this I second guessed myself.
So there you go, a lot of work saved for people doing this in the future. Now sadly this doesn't help me one bit as I need to replace the hubs anyways lol, but hopefully it will help others out!