Okay, so here is the driver side front frame rail. I spent a lot of time removing the junkyard design steering box mount. I also cut off the original front bumper. You can see the holes on the foremost part of the frame rail where the original "rivet" style attachments where. This was completed using my newest toy, the Hypertherm 900 plasma cutter. (Thank you Craigslist). I used the sever style tip on the plasma cutter to cut away at the top of the rivets and then a regular cutting tip to cut out the entire rivet. I also spent a lot time grinding away all the leftover metal that did not get removed from the plasma cutter. I TIG welded all the unused holes on both sides of the frame rail. Why TIG weld you ask....because that's what I have. My next step is to "box" both sides of the frame rail and incorporate a cleaner looking and stronger steering box mount.
I also plan on making a larger than stock front bumper using 5 inch wide by 3/16" thick channel iron. I'm not sure how long I will make the front bumper, I don't want it to be too long. I will add thick gussets to the frame rail and front bumper. Features of the bumper will include "D" shackle mounts and tow bar mounts.