If they can't handle FFXI As it is now, Their problem was never FFXI, it was that they're incredibly lazy.

Because FFXI is not that hard these days.

In reality, You could likely get a Full +2 set in about... 2-3 Days Depending on how hard-core your friends would help you. Heck you could do it in 24 hours if you really really zerged it.

Weapons... Will probably take longer. I'm pretty casual with those things and i think it took us a couple weeks to finish 3 85 Empyreans. (Well, Technically it was spread over the course of a few months, But when we really cracked down and got to working on it it was quick)