Is it possible to re-drill the shock plates for a 7 1/4 rear axle to accept the u-bolts for an 8 1/4 rear axle? I got an 8 1/4 rear end but it didn't come with the shock plates. But i do have the original 7 1/4 shock plates that came with the car. Is redrilling a bad idea? What if I used thick fender washers between the nut and the plate?

Thanks.

thats what I had in mind for my car; but you will also have to drill the top mount of the iso mount, as well; IIRC with 1/2" difference "total spread" (2.5 vs 3" tubes) that means each existing hole would need "ovalled out" 1/4 inch. Using hardened washers on the U bolts (which is what my local spring shop provides anyway) this should not hurt a thing; I mean, you do have the center bolt in the spring to keep everything located; if you are worried about it maybe throw a couple tack welds on those washers (IDK your application; I had heard that your 5th was gone) I also DK whether this is a "once and done" thing or whether you may be wanting to swap rears occasionally for different ratio, etc; but if you are planning on keeping these plates with 3" tubes from now on tacking the washers in place would help serve as "loactors" for lining up the U bolts when you slide em in. I would not worry about the ovalled hole in the top part of the bracket. No big deal there.

Thanks. The application of this is my brother's 74 Duster. I am trying to keep this project as cheap as possible and get it done as quick as possible. being able to redrill the shock plates and just get new u-bolts will simplify things a bunch.

Yes, I sold the 5th Ave to EricW. He needed a good running car mroe than I needed another project car, and I am trying to downsize and clean out my garage and driveway. So the 5th went toa good home and i got rid of an extra car. Happy people all the way around.

so; you really bought that car to "flip" and snookered the eventual buyer into helping you source the junkyard parts for it too; boy that's good; my luck never works that way; so did you deduct Eric's labor from the sales price??? (I'm not trying to cause problems by asking; trying to be funny)
Back to topic; being that I have 2 sets of 7-1/4 plates here for an F/M/J and no 8-1/4 ones for my car I'm doing as much as possible, a "use what I got on hand" restomod.

No, it's just that a number of factors combined at the same time to make the sale a good idea. Frankly, I have been so busy at work that I didn't even have the time to finish getting the 5th ave up to being a daily driver. Rather than let it sit in my driveway, I figured I would sell it to Eric who needed a dependable car.

Thanks for the tip about the shock plates. It should work out fine, when I finally get the chance to do it....

Aftermarket generic shock plates are available too, I was considering such a swap myself earlier and found them online. Seems to me they were around $25.00 or so each. I've since decided to go a different direction.

_________________
David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.