anybody ever welded there lower link mounts or coil/ coilover brackets onto the rear housing extensions on a 404 with sucess? thinking about welding my coils/shocks/ coilovers to it. i nthe rear i would like to possibly weld my lower mounts to it, but do not know if the peice could take the stress of the link mounts.
front setup i did earlier in the week
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/607093/fullsize/dsc01409.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/607094/fullsize/dsc01410.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/606491/fullsize/dsc01400.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/607092/fullsize/dsc01408.jpg

I would stronger recommend not welding to that cast. Either the welds are going to break, but if not that housing will crack.

I had welded my coilover mounts on the rear cast piece and sure enough one mount broke off. It pretty much ripped the weld right out of the cast. I had only mig welded them on though. Probably would have worked better if I had used nickel rods with the arc.

Again, these are pics of what not to do! :flipoff2:

I'd make your mounts bolt-on if mounting on the cast section.

Hey Bronco, Where you located in Illinois. I am in the process of putting Mogs under my TJ. Just got the Frame rails in the rear cut out, so got a little ways to go yet. Figured if you weren't to far, might be cool to see similar builds. Anyways, good luck with yours.
Jess

i had them on there orig. then i was hitting the tabs with a hammer to (slightly spread them apart a little to get the coilover in and they snapped off, ripped the welds out of the casting, welds didnt break. then i made them come off the housing and extend over the cast part


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a83/extremetoy/IMG_1184.jpg

I welded strait to the cast part with nickle rods we will see if it works.

http://www.itsajeep.org/vBulletin/gallery/files/2/6/5/100_0567.JPG
http://www.itsajeep.org/vBulletin/gallery/files/2/6/5/100_0569.JPG
http://www.itsajeep.org/vBulletin/gallery/files/2/6/5/100_0568.JPG

Zag welded his steering arms on to the knucks on a 416... Do we think the 416 knuckles are the same material as the 404 casting?

Front and rear materials are definitely different animals. I have my front shock mounts welded to the top of the inner knuckle (forged or cast steel?), they weld nice and are very strong. The rear shock mounts are welded to the "extension housing" for want of a better term. I they may be a cast iron piece, I have touched up the welding on them a couple times over the years when they have started to show signs of cracking. I have seen another vehicle with that piece drilled and tapped and the shock mounts bolted on. That may be a better idea.

I will see if my lower link tabs hold up I guess.

I welded mine on the extension part. Got a real nice bead; preheated, used .045 flux wire, peened, and cooled it slowly. Been beating on it for a while with no problems; but there is that worry deep in the recesses of my mind. I may eventually move the mounts to the other side or add some bolt on supports.

this is what I did.....just make sure it's beefy and braced.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j240/53willys/Willys/DSC_0643.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j240/53willys/Willys/DSC_0644.jpg
here is my first try:homer:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j240/53willys/Willys/DSC_0525-1.jpg