Thanks all. In the beginning I did ask Sid's advice and he said no suspension.
The comment made by the Bloodhound connection threw me and I did
panic. I've asked guys that have run at the pan and they say it's smooth (even)
but dusty.
I'll revert to the original plan. Thanks for saving me a bunch of unnecessary
work. I don't know why I even read that "unlimited" stuff?
?.
.
I have to get some components machined before I can post pics of the final
solution.
I was a little rusty on the first two welds anyway so it all turned out good in the end.