I have a near mint 2001 Dakota, and what it needs no one wants to make the repair.
The right front frame has a factory welded bracket that supports the A arm and the shock, and it is half rusted off. I don't think I can buy it, and not sure if my only option it to cut one off at a recycling yard. Any ideas?

 

Yes, that is likely your only option. The upper control arm mounts to the frame though, I don't think it interacts with the top shock mount at all.

 

Thanks magnethead
It looks to me like the long bolt of the upper A arm goes through this bracket along with the upper shock bolt.
But I'll try to get Mama to post a picture, which I should have done to begin with.

 

Both upper A arm bolts go in from the top and thread into block nuts between the UCA bracket and the top of the frame rail itself.

 

 

What a waste. There's really nothing I can do with this except part it out.

 

Find another one in the junk yard, cut what you need off that one, weld it onto yours. The rest of the truck looks to be in REALLY good condition......

 

Yea you're pretty SOL there. All you can really do is cut and graft off a donor frame.... Which I bet is going to be hard to find a good donor one....

 

Wonder if a fab shop would make one up.......

 

Having worked at one....probably not. Too many insurance liabilities.