1985 cj8 build

7jeeps7kings · #1 02-27-2008, 10:38 PM

well I was crawling around my wife's new (or new to us) cj8 and I noticed that the lower shock mounts front and rear are on the spring plates. Why is this? it's a 1985 cj8! I would think the shock mounts would be the same as a cj7? I have a set of matching wide track 30front/44 rear out of a 1986 cj7 that I am going to put under the cj-8 and the lower shock mounts are welded on the axle front/rear. Is there a reason they had the lower shock mounts on the spring plates?
thanks,
7jeeps7kings

ps. sorry if this is a stupid question but cj8's are new to me!

John N · #2 02-27-2008, 10:45 PM

On the front, they should be on the axle tube; like the '86 axles.

tzagi · #3 02-28-2008, 12:12 AM

Sounds like someone swapped in a narrow track axle........

7jeeps7kings · #4 03-01-2008, 11:57 PM

I'll have to measure the axles. I thought it seemed weird to me! But again this cj-8 stuff is new. So the lower shock mounts should be welded on the axle in the front, and the rear lower shock mount should be located on the spring plate. thanks

1x1_Speed_Craig · #5 03-02-2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7jeeps7kings

So the lower shock mounts should be welded on the axle in the front, and the rear lower shock mount should be located on the spring plate.

Correct.

7jeeps7kings · #6 03-05-2008, 12:40 AM

well I must have had a blonde moment! I measured and took a better look. The front axle does have welded lower shock mounts. and the axles measure out to be 54-56" wms-wms. so they are wide tracks. I realized that I mixed up the sway bar lower mount with the shock mount! I know .... dumb@$$. anyhow thanks! next I need to pull the dif. covers off and check the gear ratio's. I'm hopping for 3.54! but I'm sure being a 4.2L engine and automatic trans it's more like 3.04 or 2.73!!

1x1_Speed_Craig · #7 03-05-2008, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7jeeps7kings

well I must have had a blonde moment! I measured and took a better look. The front axle does have welded lower shock mounts. and the axles measure out to be 54-56" wms-wms. so they are wide tracks. I realized that I mixed up the sway bar lower mount with the shock mount! I know .... dumb@$$. anyhow thanks! next I need to pull the dif. covers off and check the gear ratio's. I'm hopping for 3.54! but I'm sure being a 4.2L engine and automatic trans it's more like 3.04 or 2.73!!

3.04 gearing wasn't used in Jeeps. My bets are on 3.31 with the 258 & TF-999 auto. Keep us posted as to what you find.

Craig

bigwalton · #8 03-05-2008, 09:31 AM

I'll bet on 2.73...

Welcome, gotta look to see where you posted the photos... you did post photos right?

John N · #9 03-05-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwalton

I'll bet on 2.73...

Welcome, gotta look to see where you posted the photos... you did post photos right?

Ditto, it's where mine started.

onesourcemike · #10 03-05-2008, 11:26 AM

I'll help you out bigwalt!!

bigwalton · #11 03-05-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onesourcemike

I'll help you out bigwalt!!

Ah, my pic craving minions at work... beautiful thing!

7jeeps7kings · #12 03-07-2008, 10:06 PM

pic's will be coming here soon!
I'll bet you guys are right: 2.73 gears! I'll keep you posted.
my internet took a dive and I have been using my
work internet since! I should be back up and running 3/11/08!
but here is a pic of my 77 cj-7!

bigwalton · #13 03-08-2008, 01:20 PM

That's awesome... very old school cool!

7jeeps7kings · #14 03-09-2008, 10:05 PM

I don't like to use my sawzall!
unless I have too!
I like the original look a lot.

mysunnshine · #15 03-09-2008, 10:10 PM

Damn....That looks like about 15" of lift!