Bayonet to loop shock adapter

[1987cp]

It's often occurred to me in the past that Panthers would be all sorts of better if only it weren't for those horrid bayonet-style shock mounts - especially in the rear, where they're possibly the hardest thing on the whole car to get at unless you cut access holes in your floorpan. I've thought more than once that if I get crazy with chassis mods at any point, it'd be awfully nice to get rid of that feature and substitute something easier to get on and off.

Tonight, it crossed my mind that it might be possible to create a bracket that bolts to the stock shock mount and allows mounting of a loop/eye style shock mount, and guess what? Turns out the Jeep guys already thought of it, and you can buy it in a kit!

http://www.acmejeepparts.com/products/16030_5000.htm#details

http://anyoffroadparts.com/i-4118819-pro-comp-690001-loop-to-stem-adapter.html

[turbo2256b]

So did QA1 been running them for years now on the rear. This has come up several times before.

[1987cp]

Never noticed anyone talking about it before. Oh, well, I thought I'd discovered something new!

[turbo2256b]

I dont think it was ever discussed in its own topic so thats a good thing. Think its good as any questions about its use can be discussed here.

[sly]

does that bolt fill the stock mount hole or is there a little play until you torque it down?

[turbo2256b]

There was a bit of play as the bolt isnt as large as the hole the bushing centers in using the factory set up. Sould note this was no issue.
There are weld on ones as well as some that weld or clamp on tubing.

[gadget73]

if you really wanted it to fit tight in the frame opening, I suppose it would be easy to find or make a metal bushing to fit in there as a spacer. Thats not a bad idea though. What application for the eye-eye shocks?

Also, semi-related note, its significantly easier to change the rear shocks when the body mounts are good. The worse the mounts sink, the less room there is in there. Its still not easy, but its not *as* bad.

[1987cp]

Dave, did you buy a particular brand over another? I noticed one of my links said it adds 1.5" to the length of your shock, and the other one said something over 2", but otherwise they look identical.


Thain - yep, I definitely noticed that on the P72, the P/S shock was much easier to remove than the d/s where the mount saggage is worse. I still think Ford was monumentally idiotic to put the bayonet-top shocks on the rear.

[turbo2256b]

if you really wanted it to fit tight in the frame opening, I suppose it would be easy to find or make a metal bushing to fit in there as a spacer. Thats not a bad idea though. Wonce bolted down it hasent moved on me even withthe coil over springs and shocks. Even if were off a bit tightning down the stud it wouldnt change anything the control arms dictate suspension movement. Think I did use a washewr in the hole and a fender washer on the top side of the frame

What application for the eye-eye shocks?

Thats going to depend on what springs you have. Best to install and measure the distance between mounts and go for a shock thats at half stroke at static ride height. Real stiff springs that raise the rear of the vehicle might be better off with less rod exposed as the extension is limited but with a heavy load they could possibly compress further than extend without changing bump stops on the rear axle housing

[turbo2256b]

Dave, did you buy a particular brand over another? I noticed one of my links said it adds 1.5" to the length of your shock, and the other one said something over 2", but otherwise they look identical.


Thain - yep, I definitely noticed that on the P72, the P/S shock was much easier to remove than the d/s where the mount saggage is worse. I still think Ford was monumentally idiotic to put the bayonet-top shocks on the rear.

It will shorten the shock. Not realy that much either if you figure in eye shocks are measured from the lump that stops the washer..then the rubber bushing. So theres about 1/2" possibly of the 1 1/2 or so they state.

I used the QA1 stuff as I was ordering some other parts from them at the time.

Also have about 3 shocks picked for the conversion on Casper. Casper has however station waggon overload springs. Not shure at this time if there variable rate or not as I had both and one set is missing.

Will get into my shock choice ones the adapters are in and take a more accurate measurement. I will be looking at hopefully HD truck shocks. AutoZone couldnt tell me what vehicles the shock went on that were initally selected. Someone told me Advance could d oa reverse lookup.

[Southern_Pride]

King racing remote reservoirs. Wish i could rig some in the front somehow.

[1987cp]

Also have about 3 shocks picked for the conversion on Casper. Casper has however station waggon overload springs.

Who's Casper? I only remember "Creamy" ....

Presumably you're referring to some sort of little helper spring?



Anyway, any thoughts on using these adapters on the front? I was figuring on getting a pair for the rear only, since I'll soon be in the market for four new shocks ....

[turbo2256b]

http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...-friendly-Merc <----------

[1987cp]

Not bad, though!

[Pesty351]

I don't see why people have such a hard time with the factory ones. A dogbone and 5 minutes and you can have both sides out.