I'm thinking I may need to do the 3/4" offset thing on my Dart to get the tire I want under it.

I've got a bunch of regular shackles laying round and nothing but time. These seem like they'd be a breeze to make up by cutting up some shackles where the bushings are, offsetting them, and connecting the dots by welding in some new steel. Has anyone ever done this???

The only reason I'm considering it is because I already have poly bushings and quite a few shackles laying around. Doesn't seem worth the $90 they want for a pair.

Those 4 pieces of steel are what hold the rear of the car up, so at $22.50 savings I think it's a risk.

Would only take 1 home-made strap breaking to cause the rear axle to starting steering and pushing the front of the car.

But that's just me.

I guess you're right, but it seems like every piece of the $250 kit could easily be made by a competent welder/fabricator.

But...
As you've probably noticed, teh factory shackles have a mild bowl where the bushing seats. However, the aftermarket polyurethane shackle bushigns tend to be flat-faced (but I'm sure they mush as needed).

My original beef was the welding aspect. What about getting some 1/4" flat and bending the metal to the correct shape, then drilling for new bolts? would work well with poly bushings adn 9/16" dia bolts.

Teh cost is adding up, though.

Bending that 1/4" is all about a vise that won't slip/rotate and enough leverage on the steel sticking out. Perhaps some pieces of stout angle, 3 ft long, clamped to both sides of the flat, up to the bend point, would work?

1/4" thick isn't stronger than your brain and ingenuity.