Big Tee,
You can't weld the brackets or spring pads to the axle housing because the axle needs to rotate slightly as the springs are compressed. Remember the torque tube is fixed to the differential carrier so as the rear end goes up and down as the springs flex something has to move to keep the drive shaft aligned with the differential. With an open driveline you have a u joint in front of the differential to allow the axle and springs to go up and down, at the same time keeping the drive shaft connected.

Note that the spring brackets on each side have a grease zerk to lubricate the area that is moving as your axle rotates.

Kent.

1937 Chevy 1/2 ton
1942 Chevy 1/2 ton
1947 Diamond T Model 509
1951 Chevy 1/2 ton
1950 Chevy COE Model 5700 ~ "Barney" ~ And more pix