IMHO, you should have some sort of steering stop. I would torch the complete works of the lower arm, then you can fab the steer stop......you will no doubt need to trim a portion of the outer bottom lip of the crossmember for clearance to lay it tho. my 69 has a 3" shorter spring(cut coil), minus the bump stop, but still has the steer stop, with a stiffener plate on the backside. I use a traction bar "snubber" for the bumpstop, but the steer stop will bottom on the outside corner of the crossmember across the bad potholes in Illinios. Best of luck......

L