UXE is definitely the easiest way to go. I use the 007 AUF exploit to get ftp access then backup the font folder and msdash.xbe to my PC and then upload the UXE package to the xbox C: drive.
Also if you use patcher.exe, you can patch your original msdash.xbe file to look to a folder called f0nts for the original MS font files so that you can load up the msdash and use xbox live.
Takes all of 15 mins for me to mod an xbox using this method. Best part is that you don't have to open the xbox.
The only thing I do different is copy the avalaunch .xbe file to ux.xbe in the fonts folder on the c: drive because it has the ability to download and install dvdX2, config magic, and XBMC without me having to ftp them over to the box.
This way, everytime I start the xbox it boots to avalaunch instead of evox.