Shocks on a Bantam

Hey Boyink..and anyone else. Do you have pictures/specs on upper shock mount brackets I could add to my Bantam so that I can install shocks? I read on the Bantam Trailer group page where people had used M416 brackets but no pictures that I could find.

I already noticed it bounces pretty good and would like to stop that a little.

 

for the lower mount I cut the head off of a bolt and welded the bolt (stud really) to the spring plate, much like what the Jeep uses.
The upper mount, hmmm, will have to look in the am, don't recall

 

What are they???? I guess I'll search for a pic. Reproduction CJ5 upper spring mounts are available..so I guess I should also crawl under my JEEP to see what they look like. Pics of the underbelly of the 416 would be appreciated. Or, I may swing by and take a look tonight if you're up for it. I am already kinda heading out in your direction to do some trap shooting.

 

I have a 416. The shock mounts bolt to the frame rail at 2 places. they basically "box" about a 4"-5" section of frame and have the mounting pin sticking out. I can get some pics if needed. Let me know.

 

Seems like if you could add shocks to your trailer then you could add air shocks as well. Might help out if you loaded the trailer heavy and wanted to raise the load up some. Maybe take some of the pressure off the springs.

 

Thanks for the offer Greg...I got too busy to swing by Sparky's last night, but I am gonna make it there this weekend. I can imagine the basic setup, but I really want to measure how far out the stud should extend to match the spring plate lower shock mount stud.

Another question (that will probably be answered when I take a look at the 416). On our CJ's, the spring plate has the mount to the outside, but this would not be possible on the bantam I presume. I guess I could just switch the plates to have the stud to the inside? Or turn them upside-down?

 

shocks on mine mounted as shown
plate welded to frame for upper mount
threaded shock mounting pin bolted to plate
bolt with head cut off welded to spring plate for bottom mount
Monroe Magnum 60 shocks (old)

edit: don't recall if that plate for the upper mounts was factory or I added it for the shocks; welds look clean, couldn't have been me

 

Thanks for the great pics. Looks like I'll have to get the shocks in hand before and welding.

 

actually
I'd wait till the mounts are done and then measure
If I recall, the shocks that fit were CJ fronts anyway

 

if it helps, my pins measure 14 1/2", center to center, with trailer full of camp gear
ymmv

 

Just got in and read the posts. Here are some pics. If you need bottom pics or measurements let me know. The one shows the mounting bolts for the bracket from the outside.

 

ohyeah and like Jim said the right shocks are flat fender fronts. At one time I had a pair of rs9000s extra and put those on. BLING!

 

Why??? I don't really follow. If I weld the upper mounts where the cj front shocks are at ~1/2 travel wouldn't that work?

 

yes.
I just thought it would confirm the length of shock you need.
I suppose if you were off 1/2" either way, won't make much difference.
I would be more concerned about collapsed length than extended; you don't want to bottom the shocks out

 

Hey Jim, is the top of your upper shock mount just welded to the bed of the trailer? I can see the bottom, but not the top in your pic.