Narrowing rear end of a 66 ???

[MarkTester]

Hi,
I`m new here but I have a question I have not found on here. I have a 66 mustang originally 6 cyl 3 spd. The previous owner decided to narrow the rear end so he removed the rear and leaf springs and CUT OUT the rear frame rails ( leaving about 6-8 inches in the front and rear on each side. His plan was to install new rear frame rails by welding them to the inside side of the old frame pieces left on the car, this should give about 2 more inches of clearance on each side. He did move the wheelwells about 2 inches also. I have a 9 inch rear I can have cut and I am tring to decide if I should finish this as he started or replace the frame rails in the stock location. I would really like some wide rear wheels and tires and since I am this far already ...
Any suggestions or advice would be great.
Would it make my cars rear less stable putting the leaf springs closer together?
What about the front eyes for the leaf springs that set on the outside of the frame rails?

THANKS
Mark

 

[D.Hearne]

It will not handle as well as wider spring spacing, that call is up to you. Sounds like you've got a job on your hands fixing the P.O.'s hack job.