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While at the JI Binder Bash in June I discovered I'd broken a front center pin in the driver's leaf pack. There was also some unfinished items I wanted to get done before going, but didn't - but needed done before the next race.
The big upgrade I needed to finish was the rear shocks, finally going to a through-the-bed design to get enough room for the shocks.I started by removing the tire and getting a look at things.
I decided to mount the lower shock eye to the U-bolt plate - or at least, an addition to the U-bolt plate.
Originally, the shocks were going to lean forward - but that didn't work out.
When I cut the passenger side, I had a better understanding that the shocks had to mount nearly vertically.
The driver's side wound up with a big long slot.. oops.
Cheating while notching the tube - I notched the center of a length and then cut it in half.
First mock up of the new hoop.
I also cheated on the upper shock tabs by through-holing some 1/8" flat and then bandsawing it into 4 tabs.
Notched uprights.
After welding it all together.
First tacks on the lower mounts.
and the finished product
.. after paint..
And after installing things.
The large under-frame "foot" or lower mounting bracket wasn't such a hot ticket - the U-bolt plate hit it on the passenger side during the first race test.
The U-bolts and plates are from a trailer, and were handy, and easier than welding things together. I didn't want to mount the shocks to the rollcage, since it's just bolted to the body tub, which is already having issues staying attached and not tearing apart. As a bonus, making the hoop bolt in will make it easy to remove when I have to lift the body off for repairs, or replace the rollcage.
While I was at it, I finished mounting up the front shocks, too.
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