Baystate Jeepers

Pick up some heat sticks from your welding supply, it'll show you when you get to the correct temperature. 450 should be right for cast steel. Have some practice burning scraps together and get after it! Good luck.

I have a propane torch for plumbing. Would this put enough heat into the axle joint to prepare it for welding? If not, what type of torch?

thx,

It'll work to heat a small area for sure. Probably not enough BTU's to get the whole circumference of the tube consistently hot. Might as well try it since you have it already. Next step up is Oxy-Acetelyne

If your torch uses mapp gas Vs. propane , yes it will generate enough heat. You really only have to heat it so its hot to a quick touch. If it feels like the tray you have a frozen pizza on when you take it out of the oven , your good. You can weld the spring perches in while its in the Jeep and will allow you to set the pinion angle and not loose it. What do you have for a welder ? That might be the issue , not your skills. A lot of us have good welders in the club . Some one will do it if your not sure of yourself. FjR68