[Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II] mattnmag:
1. Best root method for a device with older firmware?

To root and unlock the bootloader on stock 4.1.2, you need to use Adam Outler's CASUAL program found here: ( http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2272066 ). The version of Casual that worked for me was R515.... just make sure you totally disable all virus scanning on your computer before running it... (you may need to kill processes in Task Manager to stop Window's Defender).

2. Is the ND7 radio flashable on older kernel\bootloader combos?

As far as radio’s/modems go... I know you can flash newer radios on the older ROM/kernel combos.... but I would probably just use the radio that's recommended in the thread for whatever custom ROM you plan to flash.

Here’s some links to where you can grab the radios:

--Grab Beanstown106’s modified ODIN flashable firmware package for MJ9 from the bottom of the first post in this thread: ( http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2578458 )

--You can grab older recovery flashable radios/modems here: ( http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2108510 )

--Here's a link for the ND7 4.4.2 RADIO (scroll down on the first post to find it under downloads). It is meant to be flashed in recovery, but it may be a good idea to ODIN flash Beanstown106's modified MJ9 firmware first.... ( http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2765021 )

--Here's a thread with helpful steps on how to flash the modems in recovery: ( http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=43217826&highlight=install#post43217826 )

--Also, here's a link to a post with more detailed instructions on how to Odin flash the MJ9 firmware after you download and unzip the file... ( http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=50047714&highlight=unzip#post50047714 ).

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3. If you were in my shoes, what steps would you take to root and flash to keep maximum flexibility in the future?

If you flash any full stock builds newer than VRAMC3 4.1.2, then you'll end up locking the bootloader with no way to unlock it at this point (so don't ODIN flash full stock 4.3 or 4.4.2 or take OTA's if you want to keep the option to flash a custom recovery/kernel/etc...). Use the recovery flashable 4.3 and 4.4.2 based ROM's in the development threads if you want to experience features from those builds and maintain ability to unlock bootloader. In my personal experience, I've found 4.1.2 based ROM's to be the most stable for me with the fewest overall problems. I ran JellyBeans build 22 as my main "go to" ROM for a long time with no real problems.... (that was the last JellyBeans ROM that he put out with a 4.1.2 base before he moved on to 4.3 for that ROM. You can still grab the older JellyBeans build 22 from Beanstown106's Android File Host if you're interested.... just go to this thread: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2032447 -- and scroll down on the first post to find the link for the older builds).

I'd also recommend that you read through all the stickies in the development/general/help threads, just to get familiar with all the ins and outs of this phone. Especially check out droidstyle's Guide on – ( "How to Root/Rom/Return to Stock the VZW Galaxy Note II" ). This will save your butt if you mess something up and need to return to stock to start over. :)