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If your lower spring mount(s) is/are toast, you're going to have to reinforce it/them, but part of that reinforcement will need to include welding new metal to the axle tube. Those welds are what provide the strength needed to actually hold your springs to the top of the axle.
Take a look at this 'universal' leaf spring mount...maybe that could be welded to work for you...
This company also offers 'weld on' leaf spring perches ( http://www.chassisunlimited.com/prod...-cut-pair.html ) that could also be added to the above plate and welded to the axle tube. You'd then have essentially the same style mount, just a bit lower...and then you'd just have to use longer u-bolts. Just a thought...good luck!
Here are some photos...the black pieces are the AutoFab mount kit. It hold the steering damper and track bar and mounts via u-bolts through the lower mounting bracket (the bad piece on your truck). Note the 'rust' forming on the several stitch welds that I used to secure it to the front of the mounting bracket on the spring perch (per AutoFab directions) along with some others along the edges where the AutoFab bracket attaches to that lower mounting bracket for added stability. This puppy isn't gonna rust away or move! Hope these help...we're getting lots of rain right now and pix were tough to get.
Looking down from the wheel arch. Note the stitch welds along the front...these secure the 'arm' of the track bar mount to the spring perch mount.
Another shot revealing more of the weld.
Shows the track bar mount portion attached to the spring perch mount via u-bolts; stitch welds help secure the steering damper piece to the track bar piece (comes as two pieces secured by same u-bolts).
Tried to take pic of front on bracket (idler arm and draglink are in the way).
Another shot of how the steering damper portion is attached (via U-bolts) to track bar portion and to spring perch mount also via same U-bolts. Stitch welds secure steering damper portion as mentioned previously.
I didn't understand 100% how that kit went on. I assumed it came with a new spring perch that had to be welded on to the axle tube. Now I see this kit just bolts on to the bottom (or top?) of the stock spring perch.
Since my bracket is still intact, I think I will be ok by reinforcing the spring perch plate where the u-bolt bolts onto with 1/4" steel. I'll bolt it on there and limp it to a shop to have it welded on.
Mante...I was curious to see these parts since I conducted what I thought was an exhaustive search for a replacement track bar mount when mine failed. Looking at these, I can't figure out how they would attach to my front end configuration. The track bar mount that I have was welded to the front of the lower leaf spring mount...this Ford replacement one appears to somehow attach with bolts? Somehow on top of the axle tube? Would you happen to have a picture that shows how this one is attached to your truck? Thanks...
