u bolt question

I am in dire need of longer u bolts for my reare leafs, but the problem is I can't find any here in town that are long enough, except for square ubolts. Can I run these on a 51 pontiac? I have 5" blocks and my u bolts are for 3". Or can I but some all thread and make my own? Suggestions?

 

I would look up a local spring shop that works on industrial trucks. They should be able to make them for you in 10 minutes. That is how I have done it in the past.

 

You could also look at the lift/lowering kits at a most parts stores. Typically they'll have that sort of thing in stock and for around $25-30 for the complete kit.

There's also a place here in Tulsa where I purchased a pair of U-bolts for my Dubble A front spring. They made them up for me in about an hour or so and they were $8 each.

 

If you are talking about bending all-thread into a U shape, I wouldn't try it. I got some LONG ones with blocks at Auto Zone(chain auto parts store down here in TX).

 

AutoZone is nation-wide, I believe. I worked at one here in NY, and I've seen the same kit you're talking about.

 

I didn't see that part about the all-thread - dunno how I missed it.

Absolutely DO NOT use all-thread to make these U-bolts! All thread is extremely soft - grade 3 or less - and will fail with relative little abuse.

 

summit, chux trux, croft trailer, one of them will have it available online. I know its out there, look for lift kit suppliers.

 

Find your local 4wd shop they have U bolts.
Also any spring shop should have or make what you need.
Trying to find them on a shelf is a pain you have to sniff them out.
Theres plenty of places online as mentioned but there available you just have to find them.

 

General answer to U bolt questions;
If you can't readily find available U bolt long enough it may be because you are attempting to use a lowering block so deep it will put the springs, and U bolt ends below the wheel rimsm which is WAY dangerous.
Your rear axle is probably 3" in diameter and a 15" rim has about an 8" radius so U bolts longer than 9 1/2" from the ends to the inside of the "U" would be too long, not just illegal but pavement gouging unsafe if you get a flat.
5" blocks + about a 3" spring stack + 1.5" axle diameter already = 9.5" + not good.
De-arch the springs instead.


I don't care if you don't care about unsafe, but when your car gets a flat and hits the botts dots andloses control on the freeway the family of guy you take out with you in the car next to you will care.

 

Found plenty of common sizes at http://stengelbros.3dcartstores.com
I just ordered two pair for about $36 including shipping and they come with nuts and washers.

 

could you buy a 1/2 round stock, cut it to size, thread the ends, and then bend it?

 

http://www.truckspring.com/trailer-parts_56.html


http://www.discountjeepparts.com/index.php/cPath/91_3049

 

do you have a NAPA?!?! heres a list:

NAPA U-BOLT SIZE LIST
“ROUND” U-Bolts for round axle tubes
NAPA PART NUMBER THREAD Ø / AXLE TUBE Ø / LEG LENGTH (* SEE NOTE BELOW)
650-4082 3/8*2.0*4.0
650-4079 7/16*2.0*6.0
650-4012 7/16*2.50*6.5
650-4023 7/16*2.75*6.75
650-4026 7/16*2.81*8.0
650-4075 7/16*3.0*7.5
650-4022 7/16*3.12*6.75
650-4076 1/2*2.5*8.25
650-4003 1/2*2.88*7.0
650-4077 1/2*3.0*11.75
650-4028 1/2*3.0*8.0
650-4001 1/2*3.13*6.50
650-4014 1/2*3.25*9.0
650-4002 1/2*3.50*7.50
650-4025 1/2*3.5*8.0
650-4053 9/16*3.0*7.25
650-4078 9/16*3.25*8.0
650-4036 9/16*3.37*7.0
650-4041 9/16*3.37*8.0
650-4034 9/16*3.37*10.0
650-4080 9/16*3.75*8.0
650-4081 9/16*3.75*12.75
650-4044 5/8*3.0*7.5
650-4050 5/8*3.01*8.63
650-4051 5/8*3.0*9.63
650-4052 5/8*3.0*11.63
650-4045 5/8*3.25*8.50
650-4042 5/8*3.25*9.0
650-4038 5/8*3.25*13.0
650-4049 5/8*3.25*8.50
650-4053 5/8*3.50*9.50
650-4054 5/8*3.50*10.50
650-4055 5/8*3.50*11.50
650-4056 5/8*3.63*7.50
650-4057 5/8*3.63*8.50
650-4058 5/8*3.63*9.50
650-4059 5/8*3.63*10.50
650-4060 5/8*3.63*11.50
650-4037 5/8*3.75*8.50
650-4035 5/8*3.75*10.0
650-1050 3/4*3.0*18.0
650-1052 7/8*3.0*14.0
650-1054 7/8*3.5*14.0
650-1055 7/8*5*14.0
650-1056 7/8*3*18.0
650-1057 7/8*3.5*18.0


*NOTE on Leg Length:
Leg length is measured from the end of the threaded leg to the INSIDE bottom of the U <!-- / message -->

 

thanks, just ordered 4 from napa down the strret from me

 

I got long ones in the boneyard for a couple of bucks, off a jacked up 4WD, like a Bronco or Suburban. They were almost new.