Has anyone narrowed a suspension Xmember?

[yossarian19]

Hey folks,
I've got a '57 that I'm trying to update to tapered bearings, ifs, disc brakes etc.
One route is to take a C10 cross member + frame section & narrow the '57's frame to match. I don't want to for a few reasons.
The other way, which I'm hoping one of you knows something about, would be to cut a section out of the center of the C10 cross member & re-weld it all with some fish plates overlapping the cut section.
It looks to me like a bandsaw, a welder & some 16ga sheet should do the trick.
What say you?

[tinydb84]

Someone did that on here...I dont remember who though. I have a crossmember that I am going to section for height but it is hell of a lot thicker than 16 gauge.

[v30crewcab]

the p30 stepvans have a narrower suspension in the front. not sure if that could be used or not. its the same suspension as the 1ton.

[yossarian19]

How thick are these things, roughly? Like, not overall height but material thickness?
Thicker is better, I think, makes it easier to put back together strong.

[tinydb84]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=461732

Here is the link with the guy who sectioned the center out of it.

I measured mine. It is 3/16 of an inch thick