I wouldn't be afraid of welding the bracket back together while it's riveted to the frame. There shouldn't be enough heat transfer to the frame itself to affect the strength. If you did that, you might want to reinforce the bracket a bit around the welded area.
But like Jerry said, don't weld on the frame.


Kevin
1951 Chevy 3100 work truck
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1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car)
Busting rust since the mid-60's
If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.