has anyone just stuck the axle on top of the springs and welded a new perch to the tubes?

i would imagine some of the drag guys have.

reason 1:

i have a djm flip kit now, and i dont particularly like it, for a few reasons. most of which being that the axle housing seems to move in it, and it comes loose every few thousand miles.

so i was about to order the mcguaghys kit, when i started thinking why not just weld on a new perch and be done with it? i have no plans to go back to stock anyway.

so if you have, or havent, is there something im not thinking of?

reason 2:

other reason for going this way, my rear is kinda shot, and rather than build it, i was thinking about getting a lower mileage rear.

suv rears are much easier to locate around here, so i was going to just cut off the control arm mounts and weld a perch.

 

I've read of several people doing it on the 73-87 trucks without any problems.

 

Leaf spring perch welded on
2.5" width
3" tube
Drill pilot hole out with a 5/8" drill bit
Set your pinion, weld it up

 

thanks for the specs!

 

I did on mine. It was easy as long as you can weld.

 

ok picking up a 30k mile 3.73 g80 tahoe rear tomorrow.

anyone have any input on shock mounts? might as well correct any angle issues while im welding brackets anyway.

 

Tahoe has coil spring and link arm mounts. Lot of extra work to cut all of that off.

 

its not that much work.

 

Just wanted to make sure you were aware. Kinda figured you were but just in case I thought I would mention it.

 

im also not against swapping guts, but im pretty sure my housing is bent and doesnt seem worth it to me to buy another open diff truck axle and swap all the guts when this one is in perfect working condition.