Narrowing a 8 3/4 diff.

If you are putting BBP brakes on it, they move the axle flange out about 5/16 on each side compared to the SBP stuff. The 57 1/8 becomes about 57 3/4 when you get finished if going with a 52 5/8 housing flange length.

I bet the tube is bent about where your straps are located on your stand. Pretty common, especially on pass side tube.

I always like to have my wheels and tires and work backwards to my axle overall and housing lengths. I have a spreadsheet that does a really good job. It has a sheet to calculate backspace for A body stuff with stock tubs, mini tub/relocation and the offset shackle set up.

I always grind that porosity out before proceeding. I even grind out the tack weld where the weld is going to start before doing any welding. Weld up to the tack weld. It can be done in 4, 1/4 turn passes.

Cool videos