Welding a back brace on a 8 3/4, any advice??

Here is a pic of part of the problem.........and the solution to my problem :-D

Your new housing looks great! Did you consider the other 8 3/4 offering from Moser? I think it is called the 8 3/4 Challenger housing and has the stock 8 3/4 appearance:

http://www.moserengineering.com/new...-8-¾-stamped-housing-for-challenger-drag-pak/

I noticed it can be ordered with backbrace installed.

Also, I'm just curious - Your picture above with straight edge seems to show the housing end is deformed rearward? Is that what I'm seeing? That would be most unusual since the forward tire force tries to deform it forward as was the case with mine.

Edit: I now think your picture shows it is deformed in the forward direction as would be expected. My bad. The clamp I see must be the emergency brake cable clamp on the passenger side.