Narrowing the center link can be done safely if a little forethought is used. Machine a step-down into the link at the place it's cut, and make a sleeve for the ends to fit into. Cross-drill and rivet the sleeve to the link in several places, then weld. We used narrowed front crossmembers on the dirt trackers pretty often, and they get more steering abuse than any street machine. Be sure to get the geometry right for the idler arm and the Pitman arm, and the steering and suspension should beat any of the hotrodders' pony car setups.
Jerry
