RE: JPOR: Taller shock towers

[Chris Waterman <Chris_Waterman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Why do I even read this list?

C'mon, there's worse (and more expensive) addictions than Jeeps, Ben!

> Since I removed the front add-a-leaf, the front shocks seem a little
short.
> They'll be really short when I get new axles & move the lower shock mount
> up to the axle tube.

I'll bet.  Even with my OME springs, stock upper mounts, and relocated lower
mounts, my 5012s were too compressed at rest.  With the new towers, they're
about right.

> I've looked at the upper shock mounts, but I don't see how you could get
> another 4-5" over the stock mounts.  Maybe the stock mounts changed
between
> '88 & '95.

The Ford towers lean out slightly more than the YJ ones, and since they're
an eye-type mount you chuck out the pin-eye adapters (1.5-2" right there),
and they take up less room around the inner fenderwell walls, where it
counts.
The tops of the Ford towers are about 1/4" from the fender wall sheetmetal,
and about 1" from the top of the fenderwell.  Any taller, and you'd have to
punch 'em through the fenders...

> Would you be so kind as to measure how high the center of the shock eye is
> above the top of the frame, and how far out it is horizontally from the
> outer edge of the frame?

Cheap plastic ruler measurements: the top of the shock eye is 8.5" above the
top of the frame rail, and 3.5" out from the outside of the frame rail.

> Have you seen any rubbing since you installed them last fall?
> I'm anxious to hear how you ramp with those.

So am I!  We're having a ramp "contest" here on the 5th, so ask me then.
No rubbing so far, but with the EB/disk brake D44 and the 3-3/4" backspaced
whitespokes, I'm a fair bit wider than stock.  I also haven't had the truck
off-road much since the installation (I need anti-wrap bars in the worst
way).

> Do you have two t-cases, or do you have innards of one in the other's
case?

Two.  But Dave, your wife REALLY want you reading this one:  <G>
http://www.bc4x4.com/tech/waterman/waterman.asp

Chris