what IS this thing?

[TexasBlues]

hey all-

i have a 76 CJ5 on a 75 CJ5 frame... with 85 CJ7 W/T axles front and rear...

when i installed the front axles, everything went fine... until i tried to put the shocks on...

the 76 has tie plates (spring plates) that the shocks mount to, but the w/t axle (front) has something else in the way...

is it a shock mount?

can it be removed?

if i use the shocks that i have, they are almost bottomed out, so suspension travel would be nil in this location... can someone help me please?

maybe recommend a good shock for a rough country 4" lift?

https://plus.google.com/photos/101669333349342943414/albums/5680031205822832497

the pix in question are those of the FRONT shocks and attachments...


TIA, guys

MK

 

[CJ]

Those are aftermarket shock mounts. They can be used with longer shocks or removed if you are using spring pad shock mounts with regular length shocks.. They relocate the shocks and are usually used when you do a u-bolt flip.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Is it attached to the spring plate? I've seen plenty of spring plates that have the sway bar bolt attached to it. I'm pretty sure the plate on my 84 have them on it. I can check in the morning. How ever they are normally on the front side of the axle not the rear side of it. Seeing that you have a 75 plate and 80ish axle the plate may have the shock mount on it. I know the later axles had it on the axle.

You could cut the axle bracket off and run the mount on the spring plate. Or take a cut off wheel to the plate part. I don't think it's after mArket since it came on the stock axle.

 

[TexasBlues]

CJ-

thanks for the quick response... it looks like you are right about it being an aftermarket connection point and after i say a few prayers... i ll break out the zizz wheel and take them off, grind the rest, flap wheel the area, prime, paint, and pretend they were never there... however.. the pic you have is of the REAR and my points are on the front... was the set up the same for the front axle or was it a design change for later years?

jimbos76-

thanks

i have points on BOTH the axle AND on the tie plate... THATS the problem...

theres a link to look at the pix to help clarify... i plan to use the tie plate point but if you have a picture of your axle to show as well, that would be great!

thaks for the responses guys... VERY much appreciated!

TB

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Ill be working on my CJ tomorrow morning.. I can send you pics then.. PM me an E-mail or number to text them to. Im certain my 76, and 84 CJ have the hangers welded onto the axle it self. then the plates had the sway bar attachments.

 

[TexasBlues]

PM sent

 

[Old Dog]

Here's a pic of my 83 WT. The shock mounts on the axle and the sway bar mounts on the spring plate.

 

[TexasBlues]

then i CAN cut them off and still be OK.... good deal!

thanks everyone for helping me out!!

 

[jeepardy]

then i CAN cut them off and still be OK.... good deal!

thanks everyone for helping me out!!

Yeah, I'd cut em off. You'll be able to get a shock with more travel that way.

 

[Cj5dave]

The lower mount is correct as it is, I wouldn't cut it off. The problem is you have the earlier style upper shock mounts that are short. Bolt on the taller mounts or get the correct shock for your year and you will be fine.
Here are the mounts on my 83 CJ5 . The bad thing is I got rid of a pair of brand new shocks for the short mounts not to long ago. Some people have been know known to use the front upper mounts from a Superduty Ford.

 

[TexasBlues]

The lower mount is correct as it is, I wouldn't cut it off. The problem is you have the earlier style upper shock mounts that are short. Bolt on the taller mounts or get the correct shock for your year and you will be fine.
Here are the mounts on my 83 CJ5 . The bad thing is I got rid of a pair of brand new shocks for the short mounts not to long ago. Some people have been know known to use the front upper mounts from a Superduty Ford.

ok, i have looked for those towers and cant seem to find them anywhere... suggestions where to look?

thanks again!

 

[Cj5dave]

Try this its a popular and cheap upgrade, I have heard the mounts are fairly cheap. About $50 from the Ford dealer for the pair if I remember right. Also try some dumpster diving at your local wrecking yard.
154 1104 Custom Jeep Suspension Scrounger Super Duty Shock Mounts Photo 9

 

[CJim7]

Try this its a popular and cheap upgrade, I have heard the mounts are fairly cheap. About $50 from the Ford dealer for the pair if I remember right. Also try some dumpster diving at your local wrecking yard.
154 1104 Custom Jeep Suspension Scrounger Super Duty Shock Mounts Photo 9

I'll second the use of the Ford towers.

 

[Old Dog]

I bought my ford towers from the Ford dealer a couple years ago for $15 apiece.

 

[TexasBlues]

looks like a great idea!

either bolt in or welded in... any strange measurements i need to know about or just cut the old one off of the frame and go?

what about front caster... is it affected?

i keep hearing that it needs to be checked and dialed in somewhere between 5*-7*... can be done with shims etc... just trying to find out what im going to be up against so i dont have to install... tear down... throw something... install.. tear down... break something...

you get the idea..

lots of great help here guys, i really appreciate it

 

[TexasBlues]

OK found the towers... $15 each give or take...

NOW... since i have a 75 frame, the shock mounts (on the frame) are riveted... not drilled... it looks like i can basically install them in a manner that will keep the 'vertical' orientation of the shock...

then i can bolt them (drilling holes thru the frame) or i can weld them... or both..

has anyone done this to an older model frame WITHOUT bolt on factory shock mounts?

thanks everyone!

 

[CJ]

You need to be careful here, the 75 frame is not boxed (in the rear), iit is the same as the frame I posted the picture of in my prior post. Using the elevated towers places a larger load on the frame and will require some boxing of the frame.

I dont understand why you just don't use the correct shocks and mounts for a 75 frame?

 

[TexasBlues]

You need to be careful here, the 75 frame is not boxed (in the rear), iit is the same as the frame I posted the picture of in my prior post. Using the elevated towers places a larger load on the frame and will require some boxing of the frame.

I dont understand why you just don't use the correct shocks and mounts for a 75 frame?

CJ, thanks again for the response, but the pic you have up here is of the REAR... i am working the front end and my frame is boxed there...

if you have something that shows your frame in the fRONT ares, i would like to see it, as your work looks real nice and clean and well thought out

going with the towers is an option i want to explore... if i dont use them, i ll take them back to the dealer...

i figure theres no harm in looking... right?

 

[CJ]

Here is my front using the stock top mount and the unbolt flip with the welded on shock relocator.

 

[TexasBlues]

OK got the towers... and those honkers are HEAVY... gonna look at how they install this weekend...

i ll do the compression/extension test as instructed earlier in this thread to get the amount of travel and see how hard it will be to get it done...

btw... got them from the local Ford dealer... $15.88 each