Sway bar mount = shock mount

Modified FSJ Tech Area
Post Reply
User avatar

Topic author
JamesDarling
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 1:22 pm
Location: Parish ny

Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by JamesDarling »

So Im building a jeep j20
The soa is done high steer is done and now the shock would come in contact with the sway bar mount and that got me thinking....( always dangerous )
I was wondering am I crazy for thinking the sway bar mount on the leaf spring mount would make an ok shock mount for the front ?
Has anyone done this ?
It seems like the only issue here would be strength of the mount, and if I should put in extended sway bar links or run no sway bar

Thanks for any input
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Oh she gets er mister
1964 j2000
1984 j20
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by Stuka »

Your spring plates are on backwards, thats why its so far back, thats why its so far back and low.

it will work, but if you want a lot of flex, its better to weld tabs to the axle that are rotated 90 degrees, so that the shock eye rotates as the axle articulates.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Topic author
JamesDarling
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 1:22 pm
Location: Parish ny

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by JamesDarling »

Ahh ! that makes sence the truck didn’t come with a bar and the mounts have long sence rusted away, I agree with you about mounting the shock 90 degrees to the link but when you say eye rotating I don’t quite follow you I was just going to buy the universal style tab and tac it to the axle should I be considering another alternative I’m all for doing things better if I can
Oh she gets er mister
1964 j2000
1984 j20

SJTD
Posts: 1924
Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 12:02 pm
Location: Lompoc, Sunland or somewhere between

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by SJTD »

What I dididid on my Wag was swap the plates side for side. That puts the mount back in front of the axle. Have to fill and move some of the holes on the plates because of the punkin and one u-bolt being wider and all.
Sic friatur crustulum

'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.
User avatar

Topic author
JamesDarling
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 1:22 pm
Location: Parish ny

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by JamesDarling »

That sounds like a plan on moving them to the correct sides, I have to install my new Rusty’s off road 6 inchers when they come in anyways so I’ll swap them and then cross the bridge of finding a bar, mount and links after. fortunately my u -bolts are the same size. When you did you wagoneer where did you have any clearance issues with steering and sway bar ? I feel like my tie rod will be really close to the link
Oh she gets er mister
1964 j2000
1984 j20
User avatar

Topic author
JamesDarling
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 1:22 pm
Location: Parish ny

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by JamesDarling »

Oh she gets er mister
1964 j2000
1984 j20
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by Stuka »

Not on a leaf sprung vehicle. Offroad you typically don't want a sway bar with leaf springs. The anti-rock is mostly for coil sprung vehicles that need some support so they don't flop around.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

SJTD
Posts: 1924
Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 12:02 pm
Location: Lompoc, Sunland or somewhere between

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by SJTD »

I don't have the high tie rod. Some pics here:

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=164564

Six inch springs and SOA. What are you going to do about drive shaft angles? I used a Ford high pinion axle and stock springs. Had to narrow it and move the diff to the right side so I was able to angle the diff up and still have the correct caster.
Sic friatur crustulum

'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.
User avatar

Topic author
JamesDarling
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 1:22 pm
Location: Parish ny

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by JamesDarling »

Ultimately I want to be running 2.5 ton axles or build axles to hold up to abuse of 38” tires, but in the mean time as I save for those/find a place that won’t charge me 3k in shipping. I was going to get the springs and see where that put me for the stock axles I know I will need drive shafts front and back, my main concern is when we mocked it up the front shaft comes in contact with the trans case crossmember the angle isn’t to ugly as it sits other than that. It’s more of a trial and error in building this rig she was so beat up and im just about to finish repairing and strengthening the frame trying to plan my next steps @stuka thanks I will be leaving the sway bar out of the equation. Does anyone know where I can get that spring plate with out the peg on it ?
Oh she gets er mister
1964 j2000
1984 j20
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by Stuka »

Rockwells are a bit much for 38's :P D60 front and any 1 ton rear should be more than enough.

You can just cut the sway bar mount off of those. All 79+ FSJ's had the sway bar mount, which is the one you need for those axles. The u-bolt layout changed in 80.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Topic author
JamesDarling
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 1:22 pm
Location: Parish ny

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by JamesDarling »

Yea I know I tend to over build I really dislike breaking down in the brush it’s never fun :) plus I’ve always wanted Rockwell axles.
Oh she gets er mister
1964 j2000
1984 j20
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by Stuka »

Its been done before, but its tough. You have to severely limit up travel, or you put the giant pumpkin through the oil pan. That or a mile of lift. A D60 not only bolts in, but is more than enough axle for 38's. Plus you have gearing options that make it drivable. As well as way more locker options.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Topic author
JamesDarling
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 1:22 pm
Location: Parish ny

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by JamesDarling »

Ok that sounds like a much more manageable plan as well, I’ve been researching Rockwell’s and price for parts is crazy. thank you
I’ll attach a picture of what I’m going for
I’ve scoured the Internet best I can to find the source with no luck but I’m going for a similar height as this jeep
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Oh she gets er mister
1964 j2000
1984 j20
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by Stuka »

Ah, thats Daniel Bank's Jeep. Its gone through several iterations. As I recall it currently has a spring over with 2" springs. Back is a shackle flip kit with similar springs. Those are 40" tires. D60 front, 14FF rear.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Topic author
JamesDarling
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 1:22 pm
Location: Parish ny

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by JamesDarling »

props to him that is a beauty, so im concluding 6" springs on soa might be to much for medium off roading, plus im thinking the stability of that set up would be questionable at best
Oh she gets er mister
1964 j2000
1984 j20
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by Stuka »

JamesDarling wrote:props to him that is a beauty, so im concluding 6" springs on soa might be to much for medium off roading, plus im thinking the stability of that set up would be questionable at best
Anything over 2" springs with an SOA makes drive shaft angles very difficult, and lift springs don't flex well. SOA with flat springs ride and flexes great. For medium off roading a 4" and 33's would be fine. But if you want more looks, a SOA (6-7") with 35's is a great look.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Topic author
JamesDarling
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 1:22 pm
Location: Parish ny

Re: Sway bar mount = shock mount

Post by JamesDarling »

Thank you for answering Stuka, I appreciate the input I should have prob started a build thread for my many questions.
Oh she gets er mister
1964 j2000
1984 j20
Post Reply