Shock mount

Is it unsafe to weld a lower shock mount onto a straight axle? Or should I drill a hole in it instead? it is a 4" stretched stock axle in a '51 Ford truck. Thanks

 

Should be fine, the axle is forged not cast so you can weld to it. Might be cleaner to drill a hole though.

 

I can't remember exactly how those axles are mounted on that year Ford, but I've seen some old trucks where they sandwiched a steel plate in between the axle and the leaf springs, and that plate has an ear that sticks out to the side with a hole in the ear for a stud type lower shock mount to fit in. Sometimes the ear is cocked crooked a little to angle the hole towards wherever the top of the shock is located.

Or on other trucks, they have a sandwiched plate that has a gusseted stud sticking out the side of it, that the eye of a shock can slide over -- I think maybe a 1/2" or 5/8" stud with a turned down tip where a 3/8" nut tightens down.

Either way, all you have to do is unbolt the U-bolts and slide that plate in there and you won't have to drill or weld on the axle.