Josh,when I did my minitub I also cut off the brackets.I just rewelded them back in place.Just make sure you place them correct for rearend travel(up/down):D
You know when I did the mini tub Scott I did have the idea on saving them. But I mangled them so bad removing them. However I made some new ones out of angle iron. I was just looking for the hole size. But thinking i better measure the line coming in from the front that should tell me what size i need the holes. Did you put yours in with the rear end dangleing or with the weight on the suspension?
