Update - Axle over leaf spring mock up, looks better this time!

I got the front end back together and other than having very little clearance between the bolts and frame rails (2 inches) it looks pretty good. My clearance will only get worse because that is 2 inches with no weight on the front at all. The tie rod works fine (but it is close) and the scrub line is good (I even have an extra inch of clearance with both tires flat).
http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/936/4586/127691.jpg

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/936/4586/127692.jpg

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/936/4586/127693.jpg

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/936/4586/127694.jpg

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/936/4586/127695.jpg

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/936/4586/127696.jpg

Got to get moving on this beast, my wife is due in July, and I am sure there will be little time left for hot rods after that!
Thanks,
CHAZ

You could do without the top plate, that'll give you some more suspension travel. Things are pretty tight even without it.

The top plate was discussed before. It was suggested by several folks to avoid the possibility of breaking the "ears" off the axle.

Looks like you may need to get springs rearced :eek: time you set an engine in there your shackles will be out of travel:CRY:

See the dent in the frame in front of shackle? That is from the spring shoving the shackle into it, and bottoming out. If you don't get this corrected, it will ride as if you have no springs at all, especially when you get the weight on it. I also feel that once you set the motor, trans, body, etc on it, the axle will be touching the frame, or very close to it.

Don

Here, I forgot to post the picture I was referring to.

Don

Those are actually a new set of springs. Weird I never saw that dent on the frame. The old springs off that truck were all junk front and back so I used the springs off the other (parts) truck I had. That truck must have been overloaded all the time. It had helper springs on the back, and when I took it apart 5 of the 10 leaves were busted on one side. Once I get the cab and a motor in there I will know how bad it really is, and figure out a cure. Maybe I can lower the shackle mounts on the frame just a little? What about coil over shocks? WOuld that help support some of the weight without looking too hokey?
CHAZ