I would buy a set of shock plates from a salvage yard before I drilled the 7 1/4 plates. They're pretty commonly used in truck and vans, etc. There's even some brand new ones on ePay if you decide to go that route. Also, I'd buy new U bolts to go with them. Don't cheap out on the pieces that keep your rear end in place. You can buy a tubing bender and flaring kit at the auto parts store and fab your own brake lines. It's not that tough. You can do it!
