You have the right idea.
There are actualy holes inside the frame at each spring pin and you can use a big solid punch and a big hammer to remove the pins in adition to or instead of the slide hammer. First remove the "wedge" bolts or "lock" bolts as some call them.
The u-bolts should not be re used, and chances of removing them without a torch are slim, just cut them off (measure length first)
Those u-bolts are actualy forged to flatten them a little on the top. I had the local truck shop bend them to the right dimensions, then a blacksmith friend forge them to shape and look original. I later saw original looking forged u-bolts of the same dimensions, but not sure of length, on newer Chevy 3500HD (not the pichup, but the nominal 1.25 ton truck). If I were to need any more of those special u-bolts I'll check with the GM dealer for the 3500HD rear spring u-bolts.
Grigg
