3/4 ton rear U-bolt Plate ?

[nbrown2500]

I have a 14 bolt SF in the rear of my blazer. I just got my TC springs and new U-bolts. I ordered the 3.5" I.D. U bolts for spring installs from TC. The new U-bolts don't line up with the holes in the top plate. The holes in the top plate are narrower then the new U-bolts. Did the PO use 1/2 ton plates with the 14 bolt SF and bend the old u-bolts to fit in the holes? Do I need to order the ORD spring plates for the 14 bolt SF axles? Any help would be great, Thanks.

 

[nvrenuf]

How do the holes measure ctr to ctr compared to the axle tube dia?

I've rarely had new ubolts that were the exact size of the plate, I usually have to squeeze them some.

 

[sweetk30]

and 3.5" ubolt ? are you talking lift hight ubolt or tube dia ?

14ff are only 3 3/8" tube dia .

and as said ubolts some times need little squeeze or tap bent end to open up .

and I hate cheeper quality lift kit supplied ubolts and hardware . I get L&H rod brand ubolts bent to my specs.

 

[nbrown2500]

and 3.5" ubolt ? are you talking lift hight ubolt or tube dia ?

14ff are only 3 3/8" tube dia .

and as said ubolts some times need little squeeze or tap bent end to open up .

and I hate cheeper quality lift kit supplied ubolts and hardware . I get L&H rod brand ubolts bent to my specs.

I ordered Tuff Country part number 17752 for 3/4 ton chevy applications. The inside I.D. is 3.5" per the website and their online catalog. Are there U-bolts with an I.D. of 3 3/8"?

 

[nvrenuf]

1/8" difference? Squeeze em.

 

[skunked]

talk dirty to them, usually loosens them up

 

[nbrown2500]

So on my lunch break I measured the inside distance of the bolt holes in the u-bolt plate. The holes are placed 3.o" apart inside to inside. I think the PO left the 1/2 ton plate on when he installed the 14 bolt SF. I think the O.D of the 1/2 ton axles are 3.0". I think I need a larger plate for the 3/4 axle, right? Is ORD the best place to get that?

 

[skunked]

ORD, DIY4X, RuffStuff, WFO, Chassis Unlimited......choose your flavor

 

[cybrfire]

14B semi floater tube diameter is 3.25".

Full floater is 3.375".

Dana 70 single wheel (usually) is 3.5"

Most of your half ton stuff is 3".

U bolts can be had for all of those sizes and generally a Ubolt bend is about 179 degrees which is what leads to the squeeze to get 'em to slide into place. The ubolt manufacturers can do 180 and even a touch more but it makes them a bear to get off the machine. So they stop a touch early.

 

[nbrown2500]

Thanks for all the information guys. I ordered the ORD spring plates and u-bolts. I will be returning the Tuff Country u-bolt set. I would rather have the u-bolts fit tighter around the axle then having a little play. should have done more research before ordering.

 

[nbrown2500]

14B semi floater tube diameter is 3.25".

Full floater is 3.375".

Dana 70 single wheel (usually) is 3.5"

Most of your half ton stuff is 3".

U bolts can be had for all of those sizes and generally a Ubolt bend is about 179 degrees which is what leads to the squeeze to get 'em to slide into place. The ubolt manufacturers can do 180 and even a touch more but it makes them a bear to get off the machine. So they stop a touch early.

Thanks for the info