*Pics* Rusty Axle Tubes -- Too Far Gone?

Hey guys,

I bought a Ford 8.8 rear end out of an Explorer yesterday. Everything looked good and solid until I cut off the spring pads/perches (making the rear end un-returnable at Pick n Pull).

I chipped off a fair amount of rust before taking it to the sand blaster.

Now, it isn't as bad as I had first feared, but there's pitting in the axle tubes.

I have a bunch of Ford Explorers to choose from, but living in Calgary... they're all going to be rusty.

Should I just toss this part and try again?

Please be honest. If they suck, I'll go find a new rear end. Not going to cut and weld etc. on this unit if it's garbage.

Oh, it's going in a 1956 Crown Victoria.

Pics:

 

Sorry for the gigantic pics.

At least now you'll get a close-up view!

 

I think it will be fine. I've seen worse still on the road and going strong. By your description, I expected much worse>>>run it!

 

Nothing wrong with it,,they all have some pitting. HRP

 

It has some pitting but I would use it without worry.

 

Thanks guys.

Pitting aside...

I suppose my main concern is the amount of material I removed from between the perch welds. If you look closely, you can see the "stepped" pattern from where the rust was chipped off.

It came off in big old chunks.

Is my axle tube thickness reduced to the point where I should junk it?

(Gahhhh... I hate rust.)