Any working techniques or examples for a multistep AJAX enabled node form There's an AJAX enabled multistep form in the examples module and another in Chaos Tools (ctools_ajax_sample.module) In both cases the form is built in the function and doesn't use the default core node form.

Closer to what I'm after is a multistep node form using hook_form_FORM_ID_alter() but this one isn't AJAX.

Is it possible to use hook_form_alter() to create a multistep node form that is AJAX enabled, or should I build my multistep form independently, then use drupal_form_submit() or a new node object to save the data?

Drupal 7
I think trying to use multistep, ajax and the core node form may be quite tricky. I am not going to say impossible, but I think it would be a lot of work. 

I would think using a custom form and saving the node as you suggest may be easier, what you'll loose with this is the flexibility of having it integrated, so if you add a new field to the node, you will need to change your form.