besthaticouldo

Currently have a D35 under my rig, but got an 8.25 to rebuild and put under the XJ. The axle brackets hang really low, and well we all know why that sucks. So I'm looking around at some other brackets and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions?

Also will I will be able to use my Bilstein 5100s that I'm currently using if I move my shocks up a few inches.

These were the brackets I was looking at, RFSTF said it'd move the shock up roughly 4"
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/.../SBSIDEMT.html

Any thoughts or suggestions. These are pretty much the last thing I need to get to finish building the axle.

unidentifiedbomb

For the shocks, many cut the bottom half of the stock shock off and weld it on top of the existing top half.

besthaticouldo

What? I'm having trouble envisioning what you're describing...I'm a visual person.

SG Mason

I think what he is saying is to cut off the part of the lower shock mount that hangs below the axle housing and weld it back on above the axle housing

docmedpros

http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoRearShockM.htm

besthaticouldo

Well, that seems easy enough, however I think the brackets on the 8.25 I have are not in the best of shape. They look like they've been rewelded.

I'm going to look around and see what I can find. Any other suggestions?

ohio95xj

Got my brackets from serious off road(I think) also I recommend shavingbthe housing.

besthaticouldo

Those look perfect. Thanks!

I'll have to check there.

Also what do you mean shave the housing? I have a TNT truss going on the top.

unidentifiedbomb

Yea sorry about that, quick response off the computer. I'll probably go the cheaper route when I need new rear shocks.

SG Mason

The 8.25 has some extra meat on the bottom of the housing that can be ground away. Personally I think it is a bit overkill unless you are building a true offroad rig. Even then, if you are going to go that hardcore chances are you would be looking for beefier housings than an 8.25 Also that little extra meat on the housing help protect the OEM diff cover a little bit.

besthaticouldo

I ended up ordering the RuffStuff rear shock mounts.

Also I won't be grinding that material away. It is a bit of extra meat to help protect the diff cover.

t_long

How are you planning on mounting them? I ran into trouble with these on my 8.8 swap and you might too depending on your mounting plan. I ended up cutting mine off and opted for Zone's shock brackets. A quick google search should bring them up.

besthaticouldo

My welder is going to weld them on. We may have to modify them a tad to make good contact. But I'm not sure what you mean by trouble? It should be pretty straight forward.

t_long

Well, if you're putting them directly below the top of the shocks (not outward) then the brackets will be fine, but there's a good chance that the shocks will be too long and you might need to deal with that problem. If you put them further outward (toward the u-bolts) then you're going to have to clock them at the correct angle, and they're likely going to eat shock eye bushings.

For that reason, I went with the same style that ohio95xj has.

t_long

Here's my thread talking about this:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/8-...k-tabs-207142/