Unsafe K-member!

I was looking at the k-member I pulled from a 1973 Dart Sport . I got this car to replace my poor crashed Duster and am using as much as possible from the old car, including my k-member, already full of engine/headers/steering box/whatever. So out came the entire front suspension, steering, etc. Neglected, dirty, and sad.

Anyway, I was pulling the parts off to stash in yet another bin and when I removed the steering box, I found that instead of being bolted TO the k-frame, there were nuts in there. Not welded. Just nuts with washers.

It was no secret that some previous owner had been a "cutter of corners" - there was a nail bent in place of a cotter pin on the left hub's castle nut, etc. But a jury rigged steering box?!?

Or am I crazy and this was something the factory did?