Body Mounts: Observations And Questions

Last spring I removed the tubs from a '73 and a '74 CJ5. I know nothing of the history of either Jeep, the hardware on the '73 was newer but the mounts looked nearly as old and worn as the '74.

The forward mount on the '73 did not have a bolt in it, it did have a sheet metal shoe welded to the hat channel that rode on the frame. The '74 had a puck above and below the frame mount, with a bolt and tube through it. The large washers on the '74 are thinner than the washers on the '73.

Using the Energy Suspension Urethane bushing kit, I'm reinstalling the '73 tub and trying to follow the '74 TSM body mount diagram that I found here:

https://oljeep.com/gw/74_tsm/14-BodyPanelsFendersHoodBumpers.pdf

I decided to cut off the shoe and change the forward mount to the '74 style pictured. I'm using both the thick and thin washers to shim the mounts as needed.

Now on to my questions. How much gap is OK between the mount pucks and the body? Will the floor flex enough as I tighten the hardware? Or will this cause body damage down the road?

What do others use to center the body and chassis? Line up the body on the tires? This jeep has a 1 1/2" lift and 32x11.50 tires. I'll be replacing the tires before I get it on the road. When I removed the tub on the '74 it was not centered n the chassis. Is this common?

Thanks.

 

From what I've read here the intermediates were stretched more in the fenders than the frame so it should be centered more on the rear. I don't go around measuring bodies (least not frisking jeeps) so basically whatever don't drive you nuts is likely better than stock was.

 

Start with the grill and fenders bolted to the tub and center it that way if you are off side to side the hood will show that. I line the rear up flush with the back of the frame. If the tub is solid shim the mounts tight to the tub before tightening. the tub will bend to the uneven mounts and cause issues with door fitment. It should be flat and true before tightening. The factory had huge allowances for fitting + or -1/4 inch anything you do is bound to be better.

 

Thanks. I should have mentioned, I'm not tightening the tub mounts until I get the grill and fenders mounted. I had overlooked putting the hood on though.

I can see how a fraction of an inch of misalignment between the grill and body would really show up when the hood goes on.

 

It’s more the out of square that results from the tub not being centered