LUCKY!! i popped $100 for my '83 axle. you should consider coils or coil-overs, much much much much better flex . here is a mc kit on my friend's truck.

 

sweet pics

 

coils are out of the question for me. way too much invovled in that, and just not paractical for me either. but anyways yeah i know something will go wrong but there are 4 other vechiles for me to use here at home so i'm ok.
also i plan to do as much as i can to the truck so it's till driveable before i start cutting. for example i would; instaul front hanger, instaul rear tubes and jigs, move tanserfer case cooler(located on inside of frame rail on pasenger side where tube has to go), remove front d-shaft, and just have everything ready so when i get out of work one firday i just start cutting, grinding and welding.