I know I can buy a custom width rear, but what fun is that.  I have a 65 inch wide rear out of a 78 F150.  Going to cut it down to 54 inches for the 1955 t-bird.  Wondering where is the best place to cut it.  The tubes are pushed into the center fabricated area about 3 inches.  Any reason not to cut off the tubes there?  I figure if I split the factory welds on the center pumpkin area a few inches I should be able to press in the new length tubes and get a stronger weld.  Has anybody done it this way?

Thanks
Paul