Alright guys, my 36 has been on the road for about 8 years now and I'm on my third pair of Ch***is Engineering front shock upper mounts. The company has been nothing but nice about replacing them when they break in fact they are about the best place I have bought parts from. Anyways, the third set is starting to crack across the bolt centerline just as the other two have and I was wondering ,,,, what else is available? The shocks are NOT bottoming out or overextending, i checked that out after the first set broke. It just seems that the upright braces dont extend far enough below the bolt center line to give enough rididity. what are you guys using on your solid axle front ends for upper mounts? If nothing else I'll have to start from scratch and fab my own , probably improving on C.E.'s design. Your ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,,, Mike.
You need thicker plate as SKIDPLATE suggested. I usualy build my own shock mounts and never had one break as yet.
Thats where mine have been breaking, it seems that they are flexing and the metal fatigues and cracks. I believe I will follow your lead and build my own out of 1/4 inch and see what happens. I was also thinking of another mounting bolt above the top two to try to control the flex, but with heavier stock, it may not be necessary. Thanks guys. Anyone else? ---Mike.
Just got off the phone with Jim at Ch***is Engineering in Iowa and they are sending out another new set of upper mounts to replace the broken ones. It's nice in these times of ****ty customer service to find a company that really stands behind their product. Hopefully, these new updated mounts will last longer than the previous ones. I dont think you could get that kind of service from the CHINESE !!!! Mitch.
Yea, thats what Django said they use at HOTRODCH***IS, I think if / when the replacements break I will try P&J or make my own like Skidmarks did. Thanks for the input fellas ! Later, Mike
We've been building tube shock kits for fat fendered Fords for 23 years now and have never had one break. We have sold hundreds of them. Check out our website or give me a call.
Yep, I checked, this is a '09 last posted thread. Anyway, went out for tacos this AM in the '36 Pickup and noted a strange noise from the front on the way back. Turned out that my CE shock mount on the left, US driver's side, had broken right across the upper bolt holes. Now, I am running fenderless and I had modified my CE shockmounts to be dual purpose, they support the headlights, too. I just thought that the weight of my headlight bucket out there had exceeded the original design. Well, discovering this thread, maybe not. Anyway, my plan is to weld it up and add an additional strap over it all for strength. I am still a fan of CE products.
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