Yeah BBB, the stock was axle mount and the plate (or lower stock position) is what I'm trying to achieve. With the frame Z'd for axle clearance the upper shock mounts where lost as well. Good point about the shock ever bottoming out. I am going to take some triple measurements on that one, Even if the cross member is strong enough I don't even want to imagine the sound or feeling of that happening. My brother did that to his front ranchero strut towers, tore the tops of the towers off and that thing was just sittin on cut mustang coil springs that would roll out of place every now and again.