Is this what I need to swap a Chevy 12-bolt with 3" axle housing tubes into my '51? Says it's designed for 1 3/4" wide leaf springs. http://trailerpartsdepot.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=3005&Tp= Other than the obvious ($130), what's the difference between this set, and the $150 axle mounting kit the vendors sell? I thought these needed to be welded in place, but the description says "zinc plated", and I didn't think we were supposed to weld galvanized. Thoughts?
That kit doesn't have any saddles to weld to the axle tubes, just the U-bolts and plates. Most trailer manufacturing places have saddles for around $6. You can hole saw a 3" hole through a piece of the right size rectangular tubing and the split the tube lengthwise to give two saddles.
Open it up I used the kit from our host when I did this last winter. http://www.classicparts.com/1947-54-Rear-Axle-Conversion-Kit/productinfo/93-311/#.VH2mb9zF_1o It is designed to make it easy and is tailor made in the USA to our particular application. You will not be disappointed. Everything fits with provisions for shock mounts, etc. Andy
One other thing, if you swap the enclosed drive shaft rear end for a modern open d.s. rear, you will need to position the axle about 1.75" to the rear to center it as original. I moved mine 3" because these trucks looked a little forward in the fender to begin with. Anytime you would want to weld something zinc plated, or any other plating or coating, just buzz if off clean to weld.
