Patent ID: 8302988

Claim:
A tie-plate comprising: a lower mounting flange that is removably attachable to an inboard facing surface of a first frame hanger and to an inboard facing surface of a second frame hanger, wherein the first and second frame hangers are attachable to an outboard facing surface of a longitudinal frame rail of a vehicle, wherein the lower mounting flange includes a first set of attachment holes that correspond to a set of attachment holes through the inboard facing surface of the first frame hanger, wherein the lower mounting flange includes a second set of attachment holes that correspond to a set of attachment holes through the inboard facing surface of the second frame hanger, an extending member having a first end that extends at an angle from the lower mounting flange; and an upper mounting flange extending from a second end of the extending member, wherein the upper mounting flange has one or more mounting holes adapted for attachment of the tie-plate to an undercarriage of a vehicle at a position that is located inboard of the outboard facing surface of the longitudinal frame rail of the vehicle.