On my '37, I used the stock set up with a Firebird rear axle. I didn't remove any of the hangers. I did get the springs blasted with the old axle still under the frame. I also left the front axle with hubs and tires. It was easy to roll around and when they flipped it over to blast the bottom, it landed on the tires so no damage was done. When I got it home I striped the axle and springs off. I trashed the axle and tore the springs apart to clean and grease them before they went back together. I did paint each leaf top and bottom.
With the new axle, I just welded the hangers at the same place and angle as the old ones were. It bolted right in with no problems. There was some talk about the rear axle not located in the center of the fenders on some of the trucks. Mine were not! I should of slid it back about 3/4". In stead I cut the running boards and moved the fenders forward some. It worked out all right as the running boards were rusted there anyway. I think they were redrilling the pilot hole in the spring pads on the axle itself. As for the spring spacing side to side, it should be the same unless you are putting in a narrowed axle with big tires and wheel tubs. Joe

1937 Chevrolet Inline-powered Streetrod