I am going to install a set of ORD zero rates on the front of one of my 1991 V3500 (Dana 60), but I need to get a set of longer U-Bolts.
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CK5
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Question about using larger 9/16-inch diameter grade-8 U-Bolts...
- Thread starter 1-ton
- Start date
My U-bolts are 5/8" factory. I'm pretty sure every K5, K10, K20, K30 used 5/8" diameter U-bolts from the factory. 
Maybe I have some of my specifications wrong. Feel free to enlighten me with any information anybody has. I got most of the specifications off of RockStomper's web site. I will call them on Monday for the "skinny", but for now it is the weekend, and I thought I would just post up some questions on the project until then.
One other thing, if i'm not mistaken ALL U-bolts are grade 8 as well as ALL allen bolts are grade 8.
this is directly off of RockStompers web site.
Do yourself a favor and go measure the diameter of your existing U-bolts and that will answer your own question. Maybe rockstomper is incorrect on what they are saying. I have swapped many axles front and rear and they were all 5/8" diameter. I think the real early D44 used 9/16" diameter.
big83chevy4x4
3/4 ton status
every U bolt on my truck is 5/8" and they are the same size as the factory ubolts, just longer. i would not run anything less then 5/8"
I think the problem we are having here is you guys are talking about "nut" diameters, and RockStomper is talking about the actual "bolt" diameters.
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big83chevy4x4
3/4 ton status
im talking about the bolt diameters, i think the nut diameters are 7/8" on the 5/8" ubolts, maybe its 13/16"
you gotta remember, rockstomper and alot of the other places deal with smaller trucks (jeeps, toys, samaris, etc) and to them a 1/2" ubolt is standard. so when they say upgrade to our 9/16" bolts, you may wanna check what you have before you buy them.
you gotta remember, rockstomper and alot of the other places deal with smaller trucks (jeeps, toys, samaris, etc) and to them a 1/2" ubolt is standard. so when they say upgrade to our 9/16" bolts, you may wanna check what you have before you buy them.
4X4HIGH said:
no not all ubolts are grd 8. up to 9/16 thay are grd 5 then it goes grd 8 . i use to work at a spring shop and we use to up them all the time to grd 8 .
RingMaster4x4
1/2 ton status
shoot the Nuts on my u-bolts are 15/16 
Yeah, my factory and replacement u-bolt nuts are 15/16" and the u-bolts themselves are 5/8".
My U-bolts are 5/8" fine thread. Nut size is 15/16" and they came with the double tall nuts and hardened flat washers.
Rene
Rene
same here...
Every GM truck I ever fooled with had 5/8" U-bolts and 15/16" hex on the nut size...stock factory ones anyway..
...
Every GM truck I ever fooled with had 5/8" U-bolts and 15/16" hex on the nut size...stock factory ones anyway..
...
I got out my Venier Calipers, and measured my Dana-60 U-Bolt diameter. It definitely came out to .625 thousands of an inch, which equals 5/8. I just assumed that because RockStomper only seems to deal with Dana Corp stuff that the U-Bolts dimensions they where talking about pertained to Dana differentials. I will call them on Monday to get what I need.
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My next question is where do you measure the length on a U-Bolt? I am assuming it is the straight part from where the U-Bolt bend ends up to the end of the threads. I am measuring approximately 7" using these measuring points, with an extra 1" of thread sticking out of the top of the U-Bolt plate. My guess is that I need an 8" long U-bolt to install the Zero Rates.
1-ton said:
You measure from where the bottom of the axle tube meets the U-bolt to the end of the threads.
I believe Superlift #3418 is what you're looking for. It comes with longer studs. It should be plenty long but I'd call to ask. The 1/2 ton front kits I've bought are long enough for a pack 3.5" thick.
CyberSniper said:
yes tat is correct. but also measure the tube or the spread of the ubolt about where it rides on the axle tube. this will get you the width to go with the length. and if you want to help them out take 2x the length and add the width and this is the length rod you need. like 9" leg and 3" tube would bee 9x2+3=21" rod. but the rod only comes in even length so 22" rod. and when you bend ubolts round bends strech just a bit. square shrink just a bit. hope this helped you.
Thanx. I ordered that kit today from Summit Racing. After doing a lot of research on SuperLift's web site application catalog, I still cannot find the specifications for U-Bolt kit #3418, but Summit Racing is not going to ship the kit out until the 19th of June, so I have plenty of time to cancel the order, if I cannot get the specifications from SuperLift. As long as the U-Bolt length is 12"...it will work.
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That is interesting formula. It is kind of like straightening out the U-Bolt, and measuring it's entire length.
