74 Cj-5 Spring Plate Shock Mounts

PO installed YJ springs and SOA conversion on my new to me '74 CJ-5. I do not see any lower shock mounts on the axle and as I understand it, the OEM was mounted on the spring plate. My question is this, I've been looking for a spring plate with the shock mount on it, and the stock CJ plate will not fit the wider YJ springs as far as I know. Is there anything that will keep me from using a the standard YJ plate with a shock mount on a SOA setup with Dana 30 front and 44 rear? I appreciate any help you guys could offer. Seems like every post that I find something useful in has expired links or photos. BTW... There were no shocks on it when purchased so I didn't have anything to go off of.

 

Yes, you can use the YJ plates. I have done the same thing on one of my Jeeps

 

The problem is that the spring plate shock mount will be too high, and allow only very short shocks after a spring-over.
I went with weld on shock mounts directly on the axle tube after my SOA.

 

I don't want to go with a short shock. My issue with the axle shock mounts is the space between the ubotls and the end of the axle. Its pretty tight. Ill post a pic. DrDantelll, do you have a pic of your mount?

 

I'll try to remember to grab one today when I get home

on mine the u-bolts face up, so the plate is on top of the spring pack, which puts the plate mounted shock stud really high.

Honestly, if I were to go back, i wouldn't have gone spring-over. It works great off-road, but ended up being a lot more work and $ than a decent lift kit.

 

I would like to go back but the PO welded the axle seats to the top of the axles. It seems like it may be too much work for a jeep that won't see too much street usage. Im looking into ordering some weld-on shock mounts today and have a buddy help me put them on. Anyone have an idea of how to figure out the shock size needed before I order, or would it be better to put the mounts on first then order shocks? Also, any recommendations on decent affordable shocks?

 

1) completely forgot to grab pics, and now I'm out of hte country until saturday. I'll try then

2) I just ordered shocks that matched for a 3-4 inch lift, Jacked the jeep off the ground and then tacked the shock mounts on. Its not the best system, but it worked, Occasionally, at full stuff the tie rod will contact the shock itself. It left a small dent, but they have performed fine for 10+ years that way. They were just parts store shocks, maybe gabriels in the rear and some off-roady sounding name in the front. Generic as they come.