tclederman, why couldn't he "keep the stock axle housing and trade out the pumpkin and torque tube for just a diff with a yoke" from a '55-'62 1/2 ton as I and many others have done?
Jonald, unless I'm missing something, you should be able to swap your center section for a non torque tube unit. Also, you are correct about the torque tube stabilizing the rear end. You'll need to weld up the spring mount pivots on the axle to prevent axle roll.
