Shock mount question

[shum8]

Well, this didn't take long. Long story short - bought a CJ7 last year and planned on painting it and driving the snot out of it. Failed inspection for a hole rusted thru on the rear of the frame. Found replacement frame and have finished refurbing replacement frame. Here we are.....

The Jeep as it sits appears to have a 4" suspension lift, and now that I have started disassembly, I noticed the existing frame has really tall front shock mounts, Frame has been drilled and factory shock mounts removed. here are pics of both:

Replacement frame front shock mounts:


Existing front shock mounts:


Finally - I'm gettin to the question. Can't I just use the factory shock mounts? This is the first CJ I've had with a non factory suspension, so this is new ground for me. I know a suspension lift requires a taller shock, but dang - the mount the PO used is a good 4" taller than stock. I also noticed the non factory mounts are closer to being directly over the axle than the originals....... I'd really just as soon use the OEM mounts and get the correct length shocks for that.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Rob

 

[PaRenegade]

The frame with the tall shock towers is a 1982 or newer frame for the wide track axles. Your old frame with the short shock mounts are for the pre-82 frames that used the narrow track axles. So if you are using your old axles you'll have to remove the towers and weld on new short mounts, then this will work with your old setup of nt axles and shorter shocks.
$18 at Quadratec Crown Automotive J8126587 - Front Shock Mount Bracket for 76-81 Jeep® CJ Series - Quadratec

Or, unless I have your situation backwards, you'd need to mount the shock towers on the new frame to go with your newer wt axles. The wt axles have the bottom shock mount on them, where the nt axles use a bottom mount on the spring plate.

 

[shum8]

See - that's wht I like askin dumb questions - ya learn stuff. Thanks for the response - you educated me without calling attention to the fact I'm askin the dumb stuff. I'll be using the "new" frame, which is (now) obviously pre-82. The Jeep as it sits is an 80 model the PO converted to WT axles. So I'll just do the same for the replacement frame. After reading your response and looking at the photos I'm taking as I go, it makes perfect sense. All the years of just buying and driving are now biting me in the rear - so a complete disassembly will be fun........... I guess I need to start a build thread. Or would that be like spittin in the ocean?

 

[PaRenegade]

No, build threads are always fun to watch, especially with quality pics. It will also help to explain your particular situation when a question arises. But bag and tag everything and take lots of pictures, even of views and stuff you think you may not need.... because at some point you will.
When it comes to fixin' Jeeps, we were all less educated on them at one time. You learn as you go but reading helps. Good luck.

 

[Neuner]

But bag and tag everything and take lots of pictures.

Very important statement there. Don't assume you will remember where that bolt or wire goes. Mark it or bag it like Pa said!