I've seen this done. I was at a rod run several years ago and saw a T-bucket with a front axle made from pieces of a twin I-beam. It was one of the earlier models which are more slender than the later ones. The beam had been cut and butted together in the center. Unfortunately, I don't remember what it had for a spring or radius rods, but I think it had disc brakes. I remember the car had a 300 cu. in. inline six; can't remember if it was a stick or auto trans. I remember thinking that the running gear probably all came from the same donor vehicle, a Ford van or pickup. If I had the parts lying around, I wouldn't hesitate to try it...