U-Bolt REVERSAL PROJECT

This is my U Bolt reversal project.

I first saw this particular modification done on a Jeep at off-road.com . It looked so simple that I decided to try it my self. It can't hurt to have a little extra clearance.

To start you must find an early 1980’s Dodge 1/2 ton with a Dana 44 rear end, although I did see a few other Dodges and Fords that had different rear ends and would probably work but the Dodge with the 44 was the best.

You need the rear u-bolts, u-bolt plates, and the small plates that help retain the square side of the U-bolts. You can see the entire set less the nuts and washers in “picture 1”. The bolt plates have shock mounts on them that must be removed. I used a band saw but a torch would work also. The U-bolts from the Dodge are too long so you have to replace them with new ones. The local spring shop made them for me for around $20.00. The spring shop makes the U-bolts from a straight piece of stock much like all thread but only threaded on the ends. The U- bolts need to be 14” over all length before they are bent. You should use new nuts and hardened washers. Torque the nuts to 65 foot pounds.

The differential vent has to be moved inward to clear the new U-bolt plate. I moved mine about 3 inches toward the center. I drilled the new hole but did not tap it. I inserted the vent tube and welded it to the housing to minimize metal fragments going into the axle tubes while tapping threads. You can see the original position of the vent in picture 2 and the new position of the vent in picture 6.
The shock mounts will have to be made and welded to the axle tubes as you can see in pictures 4 and 5. You can also buy Confer shock mounts according to the project info on Off-Road.com but I opted to make mine. I fabricated the mounts out of 1/4 inch mild steel plate. They are about 4 inches long, 3 inches at the weld end and taper to about 1.5 inches at the shock end. You can see them in picture 1.
My shocks were too long after moving the shock mounts to the axle tubes but I had an old pair of RS5000’s that were in good shape and were the right length.
The brake lines did not have to be moved at all. Immediately after installing the new U-bolt set up, I went out and took the Jeep through its paces. It worked fine and I am pleased with the way it turned out. The following links will take you to the pictures taken during the project.

Dodge Parts Needed (pics include new rear shock mounts)

Before

After

New Shock Mount Left

New Shock Mount Right

Close-up of New Setup

Another Close-up

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THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED 02/29/2004 This site is about my Jeep. My goal is to help you to better your Jeep through my experience. Thanks for visiting..... Trailhed.com

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