Place a tape measure over the outboard edge of the welded strap under the outside of the crossmember, measure up approximately 3 inches, and draw an arch up and all of the way around the shock tower. (Refer to photo 12 for a better look at the shape). | 
Then cut out the area as marked. (Eddie "The Butcher" used a DRAG-ON 38 plasma cutter with built-in air for the cutting.) |
Next, clean up the rough edges where the metal was cut out with an electric grinder. | 
Here's how the tower looks after being cleaned up with the grinder. |
Two tower reinforcement plates are cut from 1/4-inch sheet steel. | 
Weld the plates on each side of the tower and reinforce the factory welds around the tower. (Michael "The Beader" used a Lincoln SP170T MIG welder.) |
Here's how the reinforced tower looks after being cleaned up again and ready for the airbag. | 
Next, use the plasma cutter to remove an area from the lower control arm as shown. |
Weld a piece of 1/4-inch plate steel into the control arm, running a bead around the top side and underside of the plate. | |