my body mounts have seen better days, and it is time to do something with them. i have begun cutting them off, and fabbing some new ones. the new ones eliminate the body lift pucks, which raise them up on the frame, and out of the rocks.

here are some pics of what i have done so far.:wave:

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6805.JPG
http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6799.JPG
http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6807.JPG

you have to love a plasma cutter :)

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6806.JPG

Damn Erik thats some nice looking work!

well, i just finished this up.
here are some pics of the finished product. this gained 2.5" of clearance, and got rid of the body lift at the same time.


http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6810.JPG
http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6820.JPG
http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6821.JPG


now, the next thing i have in mind is to streamline the rear spring mount. i havent quite decided what i am going to do here, but i plan to change the angle slightly so it slides over rocks better, and hopefuly shorten it up a bit.

suggestions are welcome, and appreciated.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6812.JPG

very spiffy Erik!

any chance you could simply whip me up a new floor pan? :wink:

any chance you could simply whip me up a new floor pan? :wink:
you are welcome to join us on a jeep working weekend, and use the welder and plasma cutter while we all chip in on each others rigs :wave:

Got some extra pucks you can throw my way? I'm fabbing some frame tie ins for my more cage.

now, the next thing i have in mind is to streamline the rear spring mount. i havent quite decided what i am going to do here, but i plan to change the angle slightly so it slides over rocks better, and hopefuly shorten it up a bit.

suggestions are welcome, and appreciated.


Erik, way to go. Those mounts are sweet, another couple of good hits and I'll need some myself.

If your gonna' make new spring mounts, have you thought about moving them back? I'm sure you have thought about it - what's the verdict?

Erik, way to go. Those mounts are sweet, another couple of good hits and I'll need some myself.

If your gonna' make new spring mounts, have you thought about moving them back? I'm sure you have thought about it - what's the verdict?
You have to remove the stock fuel tank to move them back (I'm assuming you mean to extend the wheelbase, not to put a shorter spring on). At least on mine you do. I have been thinking about this also as I stare at the bare rear crossmember and all the glory of an extra few inches of wheelbase :) I was thinking about a pair of 8 gallon fuel cells offset to the sides to make room for the pumpkin between them. The only problem is that's a $500 sentence, and it'd be a PITA to fill two tanks all the time. There's too much space under there to waste by moving the tank up top, so there's not another "cheap" solution that I could figure out anyway. I think in order to move the springs back you have to either accept that your gas tank will be in the back seat, or you have to pony up the bucks for some properly dimensioned fuel storage underneath that doesn't interfere with the axle.

nice work erik. :)

this weekend I'll let ya try that out on a TJ. :D :yay: :cactus:

way nice, I like what it does for moving the bracket out of the way and how you can cut down on the fulcrum affect of long body mount bolts. I like what body lifts do but not what has to be done to do it, that cures the concerns

what guage and size metal square tube and how long of a peice did you use?

thanks for the compliments guys.

Got some extra pucks you can throw my way? I'm fabbing some frame tie ins for my more cage.
they are 2"... if you need a couple, let me know.

Erik, way to go. Those mounts are sweet, another couple of good hits and I'll need some myself.

If your gonna' make new spring mounts, have you thought about moving them back? I'm sure you have thought about it - what's the verdict?
i have thought about extending the wheel base, but as rick said.. it is an expensive undertaking. at this itme i am planning to just shave the bottom off as much as possible. maybe raise the bolt hole on the mounts a bit, so i can shave it just a bit more.

way nice, I like what it does for moving the bracket out of the way and how you can cut down on the fulcrum affect of long body mount bolts. I like what body lifts do but not what has to be done to do it, that cures the concerns

what guage and size metal square tube and how long of a peice did you use?

i never had any negative effects from the body lift. the mounts were getting ripped apart by the rocks though. the main reason i did this is so i have one less thing to get hung up on. if i am going to be out playing with these TJ's i i have to do what i can to keep up with them. :D

nice work erik. :)

this weekend I'll let ya try that out on a TJ. :D :yay: :cactus:

bright and early. i dont think you'll need the hole saw, but a rat-tail file would be handy.

try something like this for your spring hangers http://tommyjeep.com/projects/2003-12-12_front_suspension/index.asp

Also, your e-brake cable will be the next victim there. Maybe it's time to swap to a car/TJ style set up and route the cable better.

http://tommyjeep.com/projects/2003-12-12_front_suspension/images/big/01.jpg

i was thinking about doing something similar to this, but am not so sure i want the long ass shackles in the back that i would need to make up for the frenching of the springs.
thanks for the link though.
any others?

Cut and turn the knuckles, no need for a longer shackle

you are welcome to join us on a jeep working weekend, and use the welder and plasma cutter while we all chip in on each others rigs :wave:

So when is this jeep working weekend?

Cut and turn the knuckles, no need for a longer shackle
I am working on the rear springs.

So when is this jeep working weekend?
well, there is nothing carved in stone yet on a "big" weekend, but i will be helping brian with his jeep this sat.
if you arent afraid to get dirty, you are welcome to join us :)
:wave:

Thanks, I will more than likely take you guys up on that.

Got some extra pucks you can throw my way? I'm fabbing some frame tie ins for my more cage.

I'll have some 1" pucks I won't need any longer.

Very nice Erik! I like it.

you are welcome to join us on a jeep working weekend, and use the welder and plasma cutter while we all chip in on each others rigs :wave:

Man that sounds like a hoot! I'd have to plan it out though... you are quite the drive away from wife and I. Plus... I first need to get the ole Jeep in condition to drive more than 20 miles from the house!

Very nice Erik! I like it.
thanks for the compliment. :good:

I am working on the rear springs.
Yes, but that is an interesting concept if you are prepared to go spring over... I wonder if the travel is really there with that setup...? It looks like there is not much up travel before the bumpstop, but then I'm used to looking at a spring under with some highly arched springs.

Yes, nice work indeed! Those look so good I might have to bash mine up so I have an excuse :D

Yes, but that is an interesting concept if you are prepared to go spring over... I wonder if the travel is really there with that setup...? It looks like there is not much up travel before the bumpstop, but then I'm used to looking at a spring under with some highly arched springs.

Yes, nice work indeed! Those look so good I might have to bash mine up so I have an excuse :D

you dont need an excuse, rick. you just need some time :)
i like the concept of raising the spring, and frenching it into the frame, but that would need some big ass shackles to make up for it.

i plan to get started on doing something with it in the next couple of days. i'll take some pictures of what i do.
my initial plan is to raise the mounting hole as much as possible and keep enough clearance between the wrap on the spring eye and the frame so it doesnt squeak. i think this will get me about 3/4" or so. then cut the hump out of the stock mount making it smoother to slide over rocks.

blaine had the thought of putting the front spring mount on a ram so it could go up and down on command:D
keep it at ride height until it was in the way of a rock. then move it out of the way with a flip of a switch.
hmmmm? :yay:

I'll have some 1" pucks I won't need any longer.
your in northridge? let me know

your in northridge? let me know
he can likely leave them at my house in lakewood on sat. ;)

he can likely leave them at my house in lakewood on sat. ;)

yes that can be done. :)

and Erik... if you start adding hydralics to your suspension... well, I give up. :D :yay:

i like the concept of raising the spring, and frenching it into the frame, but that would need some big ass shackles to make up for it.


Relocate the shackle mount to below the frame instead of running a longer shackle

OK, well, i went and did it. i hacked off 1.25" from the lower mounts, and left just enough room for the springs to move in the mount.

this pic shows it in stock condition with the line indicating how much will disappear.
the bolt hole has already been drilled in this one.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6829.JPG

in this pic, the mount has been cut.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6831.JPG

this is how much was removed from the mount.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6833.JPG

here is a shot of the trimmed mount with the spring at full droop

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6837.JPG

here it is with the tires on the ground. i am quite happy with the angle of the mount, and the clearance gained. i am ready to see how it handles the rocks.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6840.JPG

i have been running 5/8" lift shackles in the back for quite some time. since i moved the hole 1-1/4" up, the jeep now appears to sit level.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6841.JPG

Nice mod! However, your rear appears to be drooping .00001" :D

Nice mod! However, your rear appears to be drooping .00001" :D
how can you say that?! i have been on that damn stair climber 4 times a week for 30 minutes each time! :wave:

Ah, I did something very much like that with my front mounts as an experiment to lower some lifted springs I was running SOA, but never cut off the lower section. Went back to the stock holes but the new holes are still in the mounts

well, i just finished this up.
here are some pics of the finished product. this gained 2.5" of clearance, and got rid of the body lift at the same time.


http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6810.JPG
http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6820.JPG
http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6821.JPG


now, the next thing i have in mind is to streamline the rear spring mount. i havent quite decided what i am going to do here, but i plan to change the angle slightly so it slides over rocks better, and hopefuly shorten it up a bit.

suggestions are welcome, and appreciated.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/body%20mount%20mod/IMG_6812.JPG

Man that looks great Eric.......to bad its still a 4cyl. :gun:

Robert ;-)

Man that looks great Eric.......to bad its still a 4cyl. :gun:

Robert ;-)
no... it os a 4.0 6 cyl ;) with all sorts of stuff that brings it to 90:1+ torque ratio :yay: