I just bought a Chevy Dana 44 full width axle that I want to use to SOA my CJ7, but I need to move the spring mount and shackle outward 2". The local guy wants to charge me $650 to do the custom work and labor (this is for front and rear including steering) plus parts cost. I don't have that kind of money right now. I have been wanting to buy a MIG welder and learn how to weld, do you think that this would be the time to learn, or should I start out on a smaller project than this? I guess what I am asking is, how difficult would it be to make some custom spring mounts, and what tools other than a welder would I need? What would I use to cut the 3/16"-1/4" steel that I would use?

I really would not save any money by doing it myself initially, but I would have a welder for future projects.

Welding on the frame is not a good place to start learning how to weld. Search for outboard and you will find some good ideas, might even find a few outboard motors :)

Theres lots of stuff in the search about outboarded springs, but I agree, If you are not confident in your welds then I wouldnt do it..

GEt a friend that has a welder..

Check out the Avalanche outboard Kit...its a piece-a-cake. you need to have an experienced welder weld the rear section of the kit to the frame, the rest is bolt on! Its a 2 hour process to install and you're ready for SOA. the kit will probably run you $350-400, it was worth it to me because of serious time constraints!
good luck

HAHAHAHAAH 300 or 400 bucks HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA

Try 40 bucks in spring hangers and metal..

Try to find a friend or someone in your club who has a welder. That's what I did. :)

Originally posted by WheelingPiazza
HAHAHAHAAH 300 or 400 bucks HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA

Try 40 bucks in spring hangers and metal..

And don't forget the couple bucks for wire or rod, and the electric bill.



If you have to have someone weld some of it up for you, you might as well have someone weld all of it up for you.

do it yourself, buy a good 220V MIG machgine, or an ac/dc stick machine

get a metal cutting blade for your skill saw, and a sawzall.

practice until you know how to weld well enough to do this, it should take under a week even if your a moron ( it took me 2 weeks to learn to MIG)

if you want you can even bolt the brackets onto teh frame AND weld them, Ive got 2 1/2 inch grade 8 bolts holding my brackets on, and Ill weld them on when Im absolutely sure of teh alighnment.

its very simple, email if you want some pics of my hangers.

Originally posted by ozarkjeep

its very simple, email if you want some pics of my hangers.

mo@pirate4x4.com - I'll post them.

do you want to do it yourself? if so, no better time than the present to learn. thats how my jeep got done, learned as i went.:D sawzall, welder, grinder and a drill sould get you going just fine.:beer:

Hey MO!

I see your offer now that I just got finished emailing several huge ass pics to Him!

oh well

thanks anyway!

send the pics anyway always good to see different ways