DTB's ANGRY TREE HUGGER (Now pulling an angry pop up camper)

[Gittinit]

That crosmember and tank mount turned out nice.... that food tooks interesting too

[DTB]

maybe you guys can help me with the shocks in the front...i have this shock mount (marlin) there is a metal spacer that i am figuring keeps the bolt from moving up and down in the hole. is this welded to the front of the gusset or the back? if it is welded in the back the shock bushing would have nothing to sit flat against. When i put it in the front it looks weird.....for some reason.. anyone have these? what to do? thanks! im almost there!

[91 super yoda]

i would weld the front and the back but leave a gap where the shock can sit flat. If it were me using that, i would use two top plates, it wouldnt sit well for me to have a single shear grade 5 bolt holding my shocks on.

[Rocksurfer]

Dang you've been busy, that thing looks sweet, and dinner looks good too. Think she'd want to work at La-Jaques for me?

[Wermz84]

its a mango crabmeat salad on cumin apple chips....girlfriend made it

Hey wait a minute   Since when have you had a girlfriend?  You've been holding out on US!!!     


Like the build up. 

[Gittinit]

i would weld the front and the back but leave a gap where the shock can sit flat. If it were me using that, i would use two top plates, it wouldn't sit well for me to have a single shear grade 5 bolt holding my shocks on.

As long as you have adequate bump stops there should be no issues with a grade five bolt in single shear. Shocks are meant to dampen the shock loads on your suspension, not carry the kinds of loads that require grade 8 bolts or even double shear.

[6.72:1]

What, you're build is going faster than mine and you have a girlfriend?

Wow, I am really slacking here!

[Loki]

just put your girlfriend to work like i did with my now ex-girlfriend LOL

[6.72:1]

Well, I don't have any exs or current girlfriend close by!

[Loki]

Well, I don't have any exs or current girlfriend close by!

you can borrow my ex

[DTB]

took some pics of the offending shock mount.... spacer in front (this looks like the correct way to me) >>>



spacer in back (something just dont look right here dunno..I have seen people do it this way but it dont look right)

[DTB]

looking at these pictures now i just answered my own question... spacer welded in the front ...less leverage on the shock bolt and the shock should be mounted as close to the center of axle tube as possible (the gusset itself is dead center on the axle tube)

[DTB]

it still looks weird to me either way though

[Wermz84]

You Sir are inspiring me!  To work on my Junk. 

looking at these pictures now i just answered my own question... spacer welded in the front ...less leverage on the shock bolt and the shock should be mounted as close to the center of axle tube as possible (the gusset itself is dead center on the axle tube)

Sounds like good logic to me.  Why not just a shorter bolt then?

[DTB]

Sounds like good logic to me.  Why not just a shorter bolt then?

you mean elimnate the spacer and just use a shorter bolt? as you can see the bolt is just long enough to use with the spacer. Im thinking there is a reason for the spacer to be included in the kit. It keeps the bolt from moving up and down, side to side in the gusset hole...gives it quite a bit more lateral strength...marlin wouldnt have included it if it didnt have a purpose. Im probably way overanalyzing this...part of my obsessive compulsive disorder i suppose   joking joking

[Wermz84]

The shorter bolt was a question and not a suggestion to start hacking.  I agree, Marlin wouldn't have put it in there if it didn't have a purpose.  I just keep looking at the pics and trying to wonder what for.   

[6.72:1]

you can borrow my ex

Well then, don't mind if I do!

[DanS]

DTB, great pics of install, it starts to make sense of the same kit I now have with the exception I'm installing dual front shocks with the hoop from 'Sky Mfg.' (the one they sent no hardware for and won't return  my calls).
Cool build up , keep the pics coming they are a great help for all the work I'm in process of completing.
Thanks DanS

[*** YELLER ***]

I would start by taking off the green band if yer gonna use those shocks

[6.72:1]

I would start by taking off the green band if yer gonna use those shocks

Unnecessary use of emoticon coming on:

[Wermz84]

I would start by taking off the green band if yer gonna use those shocks

Better Return that way..   

[Gittinit]

You Sir are inspiring me!  To work on my Junk. 


Sounds like good logic to me.  Why not just a shorter bolt then?

I think I would go this route them weld the bolt head to the gusset and never worry about it moving or egging the hole.

[Loki]

I'm with gittinit though with his comment about welding the bolt head

Well then, don't mind if I do!

If you want her Number i'll give it to you...she's young dumb and well...lets just say she's young and dumb. she likes being adventurous though

[Rocksurfer]

Question, when you had the shock against the mount and the spacer on the other side did the shock eye get a little close to the axle housing? The spacer could be there to keep the shock eye from contacting the axle housing.

[DTB]

Question, when you had the shock against the mount and the spacer on the other side did the shock eye get a little close to the axle housing? The spacer could be there to keep the shock eye from contacting the axle housing.

didnt really check thank RS....ill look into it...shady crawler told me that marlin has the spacer in front on his truck...he is trying to get me some pics i will post them here when i do   

Hey there,
First of all thats a good build up , keep up the good work.  The spacer does weld on front of the gusset so the shock does sit flush on the bracket.  When Marlin comes back Ill take a quick pic of his and send it to you when I get a chance.

Thanks,
Steve

[Gittinit]

Dis this build come to a sudden stop? Everything was moving along so good ....Whats happening? Come on slacker get to work!

[Wermz84]

Yes, what happened to the spacer issue?  Front, Rear, Welded, not welded what did you finally do?   

[90toy]

your rig is waaaay to clean. very nice build.

[DTB]

Dis this build come to a sudden stop? Everything was moving along so good ....Whats happening? Come on slacker get to work!

hey im still here....just waiting on my drive shafts from high angle...

plus i had finals week last week and graduated this week.....

i have a really intensive class for the next 5 weeks to finish my other degree

plus managing the hotel full time



sorry ill get cracking again

[DTB]

Yes, what happened to the spacer issue?  Front, Rear, Welded, not welded what did you finally do?  

still havent decided yet wermz...... ill probably just weld the bolt head to the gusset