welding and cutting on axle housing??

[xj paddler]

I have a d30 under the front of my XJ, I have just put 6.5 coils and new lower control arms under it ( the uppers are still in the process, What cautions do I need to take while cutting or welding on the axle??? I am going to do an over the axle trackbar mount and a custom over OTK stering set up. Is it posible to do this without gutting the axle or will i have to pull the axle and completly gut it.

Later Heath