For the record ...here's a pic of a welded axle tube on a 10-bolt (7.625") rear-end.

 

Do you have to gut the housing to do that? or can you do it with the rear fully assembled? lube and all?

 

I had mine welded with the differential, axles, etc, all in place. It would have been lighter to lift with everything gutted though. There's a plastic relief valve on the top of the differential case that will leak lube (slowly) if you turn the rear-end upside down ...be careful about that.

 

Finished and painted (and polished brakelines coated in Tremclad lacquer)...

 

sharp!

i'm saving up parts for a "bulletproof" 10 bolt myself. so far, i have a set of 3.42's haha. ended up selling my posi, will get a good one here soon.

 

There's a GM posi with 3.42 gears in that rear. It'll probably die an early death, but I don't really mind because that'll give me reason to get better axles I'll do the axles and differential at the same time ...makes sense.

 

Looks good. I finished up my 4th gen rear a while ago and welded them myself. Its looks pretty good. One of my first "real" welding jobs...after practicing of course. Painted with some por 15. Turned out pretty nice.