8.8 swap

I think I might be getting it...I have seen a few posts in this forum that say you can elongate the holes in the Mopar shock mounts...is this so that the U bolts on the thicker 8.8 tubes go thru the mounting holes in the Mopar shock plates?? The Mopar mounts are just bolted on to the bottom of the axel tube and no welding is needed...is that right?? Also, this forum states that the spring perch needs to be moved. I guess they are welded in a new position after the axle tube is shortened. Can the ford perch be reused or is it destroyed when removing it?
Thanks for your help