Well it seems there is a common problem with these TTB lift brackets. Mine have cracked previously and I had my brother weld them. This time it was cracked worse. I didn't want to put the money into new brackets because I'm saving up for an SAS with Dana 60. So here's what we did.

Here's the cracked bracket. I don't know what brand they are. They came with the truck. My brother welded the gusset on the first time in attempt to strengthen it.





I took the bracket to machine shop just to see costs on them fabbing a better one. Way outta my price range. So after racking our brains a little bit. The easiest way without altering mounting holes was to put another plate under the top plate.

We grinded about a 1/4" from the top plate and the connecting support. We dont have the tools to make it look pretty. Haha. Just stepped up the thickness in die grinder wheels until we could fit our 1/4" plate there.





Then we slid the 1/4" plate to fill in the gap. The plate needed to be notched to fit bolts in the back mounting holes. We threw a couple welds on it.





Then while I was passed out drunk my brother finished the bracket. Just welded it up and grinded it smooth. Some black paint later and there it was. Then I got to remember how much of a pain in the *** they are to get back in.





Fit right back in there. That's one bracket down and just gonna do the other one for good measure. Another weekend. Whole thing took two days only because we made 4 or 5 trips for bolts and the purchase of two new dewalt power tools. Definetly not a permanent fix but I'm hoping it will last me awhile. The welds from last time lasted a few years.

I also put all new bolts in with thread lock. My bushing that mounts the lower whole to the axel is toast. Anyone know if you cant take the bushing out without removing the axel? I'm assuming it has to be pressed in. Thanks. Hope this helps someone.

 

I would have just bought a new set. I got a set that are slotted for camber adjustment. They weren't that expensive.

 

That bushing can be replaced, but the easiest way to do it is get the axle out from under the truck. I did them on my 95 f150, and even w/ a 6" lift it was a huge pain in the ***. things went much smoother after i finally said **** it and just pulled the whole front axle out

 

^^^ that's what I figured. I just don't have the jack and stands big enough to drop the axel. Yet.

 

Well I paid about $250 that's including the two new power tools. That will also be able to do both brackets. The quote I got from super lift was $500 for brackets. I didn't want to buy the same poorly designed bracket so I thought I'd give this a try first.

 

Wow... So now i officially have ONE good thing to say about BDS lifts. That is the lift that was on my F150 when i bought it. But it was installed poorly, and all the bolts up front had come loose, oblonging all the holes in the drop brackets. BDS replaced them both for free, no questions asked. I didnt even have to pay for shipping. And i was not the original owner, didnt have a receipt, and did not install the lift. Good customer service does do wonders

 

That's awesome. Congrats. Hopefully they don't have the same effect.