69 Z/28 Day II Project (Air Force Brat)

[NorCam]

I did measure the distance from the inner holes for the u-bolts to the outer holes for the j-bolt and each of the j-bolt holes is 1.150" further outward. That's why there are such angles on the front legs of the j-bolts as they really turn in a lot to meet the eye holes on the front stirrups. I also tried mounting up an older set of original stirrups and they were tighter to fit and harder to align with the bolts than the NOS set I have here, so the NOS ones were used and they actually fit like a glove.

After welding extensions onto the Lakewood shock mount tabs, the new shock mounts move the eye upward by 2.5" and the shocks will now be well clear of the front legs of the j-bolt on the passenger side. When the car is positioned at the desired ride height for these tires, the rear shocks will be extended at 17" so there is plenty of room to extended or collapse within the shocks 13.14"-21.62" travel. As far as I am concerned, the bars are now finished and I am moving on to fit the rear brake lines as well as install the other Air Lift bag. It's gonna be sweet.

[R68GTO]

Thanks for posting these photos. I struggled to understand the J-bolt alignment thing and posted on the Day 2 page and got no responses. The inside holes on the TB line up much better with the stirrup, but then there's no place to mount the other u-bolt. I appreciate the detailed insight!

[HawkX66]

Originally Posted by NorCam

I did measure the distance from the inner holes for the u-bolts to the outer holes for the j-bolt and each of the j-bolt holes is 1.150" further outward. That's why there are such angles on the front legs of the j-bolts as they really turn in a lot to meet the eye holes on the front stirrups. I also tried mounting up an older set of original stirrups and they were tighter to fit and harder to align with the bolts than the NOS set I have here, so the NOS ones were used and they actually fit like a glove.

The bars came out pretty awesome. I've never seen them with the extra set of holes to add the J-bars in addition to both the u-bolts. Nice to be able to run both for strength. Is that just a different part number/style from Lakewood?
These are Grady's and what I normally have seen.