Another anomoly ('86 MJ)

[onlyinajeep726]

So, I'm in the progress (slow at that haha) of lifting my '86.  I've completed the rear (SOA 8.8) and now I'm getting to work on the front.  I'm using RE's drop brackets, RE 5.5" springs, RE Extreme adj. TB, etc.  Anyway, the problem I'm running into is the way the UCA bolts to the frame.  On all MJ's and XJ's I've had experience with, there is a hole in the outer frame where the bolt goes in and through the arm, then a nut on the inner mount to hold it in place.  However, on my '86, the bolts goes in on the inner frame side and there's a nut spot welded in the frame rail, and no hole on the outer frame. That's all fine and well, but the problem is that the bolt has about 1.5-2 inches between the head of it and the bell housing on the transmission, thus, it's impossible to get it out to install the drop brackets.  The pictures below will probably make more sense than my explanation.  Any ideas on what I can do short of pulling the trans out of the way (which I'm not doing lol).

 

 

 

[Strokermjcomanche]

Drill a hole in the outer unibody like all the other XJ's / Mjs have . Then loosen the bolt , pull it out till it touches the trans , cut the bolt in half so you can pull the whole bolt out , knock the welded nut off the unibody and bolt everything up with the newer Mjs fastening hardware .

[Jackrabbit41]

That is weird. I know that hole very well because Lee (another guy from this sight) and i dropped about 4 sockets down into my frame. they're still in there chillin haha 

[HOrnbrod]

It is weird. In the 81-86 parts manual it shows the UCA mounting system identical to the later MJ/XJ models up to 1991. 

[shelbyluvv]

That's how my 86 is also. I had the engine out when I installed my DBs.

[500 MJ]

Install long arms, remove LCAs and cut the UCAs off!

 

Unbolt the driveshaft, unbolt the trans mount and see if moving/jacking the engine and trans horizontally, side to side, gives enough clearance to remove the bolt?

[onlyinajeep726]

I think I'm going to do what strokermj suggested. After thinking about it after posting this, that's what I had concluded would be the easiest route.

[Lee21490]

That is weird. I know that hole very well because Lee (another guy from this sight) and i dropped about 4 sockets down into my frame. they're still in there chillin haha 

:rotf:  One day You'll break down in the middle of nowhere & those sockets will save your @$$. Just consider it putting them in a safe spot for the future haha

[87Warrior]

My 86 is built the same way. Although, I didn't have a problem removing the UCA bolts when I replaced the arms a couple of years ago. Maybe it is because I'm still running the 2.5 verus the 4.0 you swapped?

[onlyinajeep726]

My 86 is built the same way. Although, I didn't have a problem removing the UCA bolts when I replaced the arms a couple of years ago. Maybe it is because I'm still running the 2.5 versus the 4.0 you swapped?

 

Perhaps.  That may be the reason they made the change '87 onward since the introduction of the 4.0.