The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 66 C60 ubolt saddle question

Hey guys. Been poking around the site now for a few days reading post and gaining knowledge. Seems like lots of good guys and gals around here full of info. So I just recently purchased a 1966 C60 with a flat bed dump. It's got a 327 with a 4 speed and 2 speed rear end. The truck runs and drives great but..... You guessed it doesn't stop lol. Think I've traced it to the Hydrovac and am researching as many options as possible. Guessing the brake cylinders are gonna be toast too but who knows without a working Hydrovac. My biggest problem is the rear ubolt saddle is broke on one side and I can't seem to find another. Does anyone know where or whom I could get one? Also any suggestions on how to make this truck its best are always welcome. I'll try and get some pics up soon. Thanks in advance

Got a few pics
Day I bought it:[IMG]http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff503/tl71/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpeg[/IMG]
Cleaned up a bit:[IMG]http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff503/tl71/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpeg[/IMG]
Solid oak bed sides:
[IMG]http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff503/tl71/Mobile%20Uploads/image_4.jpeg[/IMG]
Broken ubolt saddle: [IMG]http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff503/tl71/Mobile%20Uploads/image_3.jpeg[/IMG]

The rear spring plates were not a normal replacement item which would make a new one almost impossible to find. However, a 60 series is a very common truck and lots of them get scrapped which should be a source for a used one. If bad goes to worse, you could probably make something. The plate has got to be there, but it just holds the U-bolts and an home made thing would do just as well.

Yep, used one from a junk yard is your best bet.
Look at more trucks than just your exact model and year, likely a lot of interchangeability in that part. Measure spring width and axle tube diameter to match up another one.

Since that one wraps around the housing, I'd start out with a piece of Schedule 80 pipe approximately the right inside diameter, and wrap a couple of pieces of 5/8" or 3/4" flat bar around it, then weld the whole works together and drill holes for the U bolts. Not pretty, but effective, IMHO.
Jerry

Thanks for the input guys. My thought if I was going to make one, would I be better off putting a flat plate on top of the spring and putting the u towards the ground. Would it make any difference?

So been looking for a replacement part for a while now and haven't came up with anything. The outside of the axle housing measures 4 7/8 inches. Any other trucks out there that might have a similar part?

Hy rustynutsnbolts, could you check and see if there is a number cast into the part, failing that provide us with the bolt hole diameter and the center to center distance of the bolt holes in both directions.

Rusty;

Have you thought about a welding repair? It looks like there is a good deal of extra threads below the current arrangement. My thought would be to weld up the break and then weld on a strap/plate. The U bolt threads could accommodate the extra thickness of the patch. I think the saddle is just for locating the axle and doesn't take the direct load. I can't really tell from the picture.

SimS