# How to reinforce rear suspension 2004 and earlier?

**URL:** <https://community.electricforum.com/t/how-to-reinforce-rear-suspension-2004-and-earlier/24970>\
**Category:** GEM Forum\
**Created:** [August 22, 2022, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/how-to-reinforce-rear-suspension-2004-and-earlier/24970 "2022-08-22T17:26:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jonbbrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jonbbrew](https://community.electricforum.com/u/jonbbrew)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/how-to-reinforce-rear-suspension-2004-and-earlier/24970/1 "2022-08-22T17:26:34Z")

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I hear several complaints about the 2004 and earlier suspension rear ends and their weak points. In looking to be proactive, although i doubt i would have any problems being a 2 seater with a short bed that never gets loaded down or rode hard, i wanted to look to reinforcing. Anyone have pictures on what they did?

Seems some strengthening or support welded over axle connection is all that is really needed.

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**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/how-to-reinforce-rear-suspension-2004-and-earlier/24970/2 "2022-08-22T17:42:03Z")

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See that Magnifying glass in the top right of this page? It opens up a portal that leads to _ **decades** _ of posts stored in the archives. Depending on what you chose to enter of keywords you can get lost for many days.  
Bring snacks.

Here is one.

> [@2002 - Fixing the 'Swinging Gate' rear suspension, or Not](https://community.electricforum.com/t/2002-fixing-the-swinging-gate-rear-suspension-or-not/22974/11):
>
> Ya, I’ve ran across a post or two long ago in here and where they were talking about welding the rear suspension tubing. I made a check of mine and it wasn’t broken or cracking and periodically check any time I’m looking under there. And with a 2002, I’m always looking under things. LOL Thanks for the description of things which happen when you move the shock/spring angles and it is those types of things which peek my interest in ways to deal with the fact I no longer have 4 lead batteries back…

Sure, you could weld up and brace what is there, but you would be ultra schmick if you scrounge up some components from a late model car and adapt them to your car and try and make it better.  
Go ahead, bend a few rules. Get out of that comfy box. Run with those scissors. Don’t be afraid to poke an eye out.  
And Don’t forget to come back later and tell us how it “worked great” or "_what a stupid idea that was!"_

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**Author:** ![jonbbrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jonbbrew](https://community.electricforum.com/u/jonbbrew)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/how-to-reinforce-rear-suspension-2004-and-earlier/24970/3 "2022-08-22T17:44:54Z")

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Indeed. That example seems to be a very nice idea. Thanks

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**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 6:13pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/how-to-reinforce-rear-suspension-2004-and-earlier/24970/4 "2022-08-22T18:13:45Z")

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NEVA sells a reinforcement kit for very little money that will just slide into place. still have to weld it though. It’s like $25 iirc. But shipping will cost you another $20-25 even just one state over

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**Author:** ![jonbbrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jonbbrew](https://community.electricforum.com/u/jonbbrew)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2022, 12:37am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/how-to-reinforce-rear-suspension-2004-and-earlier/24970/5 "2022-08-23T00:37:39Z")

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Yeah they are a rip on their shipping charges.

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**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2022, 1:55am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/how-to-reinforce-rear-suspension-2004-and-earlier/24970/6 "2022-08-23T01:55:38Z")

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They gotta pay for all the decaying orbit solar satellites somehow