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Thu Oct 30, 2025 4:23 am

Greetings Group,
Trying to switch my rear shocks and discovered that the bottom mount has a "modification" to it versus the new one? Do I take out the old shock mount somehow? Mighty obliged.

Thu Oct 30, 2025 6:55 pm

There would have been a couple little spacers there to make your new one fit like your old one was. You can look for spacers at the hardware store or use a stack of washers on each side. You could also press that bushing out of the old one if you have a press or big vice.

Fri Oct 31, 2025 4:07 am

Thanks K Ames. I talked to the Thing Shop yesterday where I bought the shocks. Same option with the spacers. I did try to remove the old bushing, but somehow I think I would do no good. Mighty Obliged

Mon Nov 03, 2025 6:43 am

Bought some black washers from Lowes that were the perfect fit for the spaces. It is odd that it isn't something similar as what came out.

Mon Nov 03, 2025 8:31 pm

I suppose sometime in the past that shock manufacturer offered the wide bushing arrangement as a replacement. As far as I know the separate spacers would be original, I could be wrong. Glad you found a solution.

Tue Nov 04, 2025 4:41 am

I recently bought some KYB shocks for my THING and the rear shocks came with spacers.

Tue Nov 04, 2025 6:23 am

I remember back in the late 80's, I took my thing in to Sears for some shocks. I think they were something like $9.95 each installed.
My wife and I walked around the store (and the rest of the mall) for awhile, and when we came back I saw that the Thing was still on the lift.
I asked at the counter what was the problem, and I was told that the fronts were done, but they were having a problem getting the "bushing" into the new rear shocks. They had pressed the bushing out of the old shocks, but couldn't get the rubber to stay when pressing it into the new shocks.
I remember the final outcome was that their parts guy took one of the rears to "someplace else" and came back with a pair of Rancho shocks that were the correct size and had the bushing in. I don't remember the price, but I know that the Rancho's were way more than $9.95. Final price on my bill was $39.80 plus tax.