Not fair to compare angle of spring pads to pinion on one axle to that of a vastly different and more modern truck axle. They are attached on any axle to suit the entire situation from engine mounting, frame shape, springs and their hangers and locations, driveshaft(s).. Lots of variables.
Not very hard to weld on spring pads. I did mine back when I had very little welding experience, trial and error stick welding.. It turned out just great except for the pinion angle which would have been easy enough to set if I only knew.
You can do this I'm sure. You have already accomplished more difficult task while building the truck and will have even more challenging ones yet to come.
The Dana 80 has 4" diameter axle tubes. Same as AD model 1.5 and 2 tons and many other years. So you can scavenge the perfect spring pads to put on your new axle.
You have at times mentioned a Dana 80 "HD". I'm not aware of that axle, as far as I knew an 80 was always a plain 80? On the other the 70 was offered as a 70HD which is what I have, more or less a normal 70 center but with tubes and axle ends like the 80 has.
