Being extra careful about not warping the panel onto which I'm welding: For the stronger connections needed near to where I may or may not mount mud flaps =>
By tack welding the two part bracket in place I'm hoping to avoid any distortion of the panel
Then the bracket is joined
The other side of the panel looked like this (before grinding away the drips of weld penetration)
Final positions were chosen as shown =>
Nearly time to paint the inside in epoxy and then to add some seam sealant around the brackets for good measure