I'd follow the book. It is different then a car, they use a timkins bearing that doesn't want to be over tightened.
Glad you got it back together. I've never figured out what I have saved but have changed three boots in about 2 years.
Deerkiller

 

I just thought it was strange that the book was so vague as to what that nut should be torqued to.

 

True,
I didn't torque it. I got on it till I thought it felt right and backed it off enough to get the cotter pin lined up.
Deerkiller

 

Thats what I did it works fine I just thought it was strange that the book did not give an exact number to torque it to.