Agree Jerry. The budget for this is going to have to grow, if I am to wind up with a quality result. The more I look, the more I realize that there is no easy, cheap solution. Even buying a 12 bolt from the correct source vehicles would still mean it has to be gone through by a pro, reconfigured to my requirements, and brought back to specs, before it could be installed. Given the cost of that acquisition and repair, it may be advisable to simply cut to the chase, and have a Ford 9 inch built from scratch, to my specification and needs. At least then I could be sure it would be a straight bolt in solution, without mods to the frame.
BTW, went to my local machine shop yesterday and found that they, "would not be set up to cut and polish" that 1955 GM 55T diff carrier. I'm going to check a couple more shops locally before I abandon that approach. However, it does look more and more like the custom rear axle may be the best alternative. If I'm forced into that solution, I will spend a little more, and order the Ford 9 inch.
Thanks again for helping a rear axle novice to educate himself, and seek a solution.
