The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Rear end u-bolts.

I'm to the point of lowering the back end of the 57. I'm replacing the stocker with a 10 bolt. It has 3" tubes so I bought 3 1/4" u-bolts at Tractor Supply thinking I needed the room for clearance. Turns out the fit is pretty sloppy. Since the u-bolts will be drawn up tight, will this not be an issue
or do I need to exchange them for the 3"ers that I should have bought from the outset? If so, Would it hurt to heat and bend the 3 1/4"ers? Opinions?

I would suggest getting the 3" ers. You don't want a sloppy fit, that is for sure.

I heated and bent one to shape and will work, but does the heating diminish the strength of the u-bolt?

You are looking at a small amount of money to get the right U-bolts for the job. Trying to cut corners in this area puts your whole project at risk. As an example, heating a U-bolt for a muffler clamp is one thing, but heating a U-bolt to hold your rear axle in place is another....be smart and use the right part for the job.

Joe

You're right. Guess I didn't want to go back to the store. Going back now. Thanks for the opinions.

And bring a switch back with you for trying to cut corners young man.

LOL Tramp !...make sure it is from WEEPIN WILLOW !..they have that XTRA STING when properly introduced from say your Mother when properly stressed out !..dont ask how I know this ...lol

Talking about U-bolts..
I bought new ones for my 59 Apache (31). Trouble is they are about an inch to short. Turns out someone has added more leafs between the axles and original leafs to gain ride height.
I would likle to keep it that way, but that means I have to find longer U-bolts. I can have them made, but do any of you know of a source that have something like this?
About an inch longer than stock half ton. I suppose the 3/4 tons had longer bolts?

Rocket ,
For Sanities sake i would just go to your local Spring place an get what ya EXACTLY need made up , for 1 they will be right the first time and for 2 ya wont have to deal with shippin an NOT bein right for like the 3rd time from orderin over the net .
My expeirience with CUSTOM or OUT OF THE ORDINARY on my custom Bolt has always been ..if it isnt stock ..best to go look around to your local shops to have it made for ya ...in the long run it is cheaper an less stressful.
Tim
P.S. they wil prob. have what ya want hangin on the wall ...my local shop has abought every width an length made up an hangin.

The only problem I see on my truck using the 3" U bolts is you have to use bottom plates that are too wide for the spring due to the taper of the frame. Anyone else run into this problem or am I not seeing the correct solution for this? Guess my 49 could be different from the 59. Sorry to invade this post just looked like a good place to ask.