I am going tomorrow to pick up a 1950 F1 chassis to use as the basis for a rat rod. I would like to change the front over to a transverse spring from the current parallel set up. I know that the axle has spring pads on which could be ground down, and batwings could be welded on, but what about sping perches? Can the stock axle be bored for perches and still be strong enough at the holes?

Could I use the current spring mounting "pads" and drill them out for a u-bolt shackle arrangement as a spring perch?

Thanks,
CHAZ