How to narrow a rear housing

If you narrow a housing and don't use an alignment bar with spacers you run the risk of not having your axle bearings parallel on the same centerline as you carrier bearings. I know there are tons of individuals who have shortened housings without a jig or bar and had good luck. There is a risk you will not get them close enough and your axle bearings will wear out quickly. I wouldnt shorten one without an alignment bar and spacers. You also need to use the bar/spacers to check your housing after welding and to get the housing bent straight. You can buy a turned/ground/polished(TGP) bar locally and spacer off the Internet for a total sum of $100-300. I have access to a lathe, so I turn my own. Use a bandsaw, chopsaw, or pipe cutter to cut the housing.