then finishes the job. | 
The large section of the rail that was previously cut off is sanded, and then Brian welds it back into position. This is the finished product-the rail now looks like it did before, but much thinner, as evidenced by the front/rear end caps. | 
Brian repeats the process on the driver side. Here he is in action through a welder's helmet. |
With both rails cut, there are now only 43.75 inches between the outside of the rails-an extra 2.75 inches for fat tires. (Fender lip mods will increase that extra room, so stay tuned, as a deadline prevented us from doing that now). Brian painted up the bare metal and added a lower tubular bar for increased stiffness. In addition to the GNX crossmember and the replaced body bushings, this puppy will be stiff! | 
The diff is back from the install shop-with the rear gears and 30-spline Eaton installed, it's time to do the C-clip eliminator axles. | 
The drum brake assembly is removed... |
As are the backing plates. Here's a view down an axle tube. In stock configuration, the axle bearing sits here. | 
Cotton puts a rag into one axle tube and cuts the end off with a Sawzall. Strange recommends cutting the tube so 1/8 inch is left-in the 8.5-inch 10-bolt's case, we cut off exactly 1 inch. | 
A grinder smoothes out the jagged metal from the cut. |