longer rear U-bolts ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sactoC10 · 10-08-2003, 11:00 AM

Anyone know where replacement rear U-bolts can be purchased for my 71 LWB truck? I don't need to spend a fortune on a drop kit to get them, I don't want the stock size and my local parts stores do not have the wide thick ones that these trucks need.

Do I need to go to a 4WD shop or something? Would they even have such a thing?

Help!

racindego · 10-08-2003, 11:06 AM

i got mine at a local big rig place called florig's in conshohocken,Pa. they make them in house to your specs. Im sure you can find somethin similar near you. I think i paid 10 dollars for a set

PrimeredThunder · 10-08-2003, 12:12 PM

Any Driveshaft shop or 4x4/Big Rig Shop should be able to make what you need. I had to get some made when I took ou my blocks. Cost about 25 bucks for two of them.

Kenny

boraxman · 10-08-2003, 01:14 PM

Early Classics sells them longer $30pr.

VTKidder · 10-09-2003, 09:18 AM

While working at our local NAPA for 5 years, we sold them out of a book that you could custom pick what you wanted, and how long they needed to be; up to a limit. You could choose the length, width and size of the bar (7/16"-5/8" or so). If we didn't have them, they could order them and have them overnight. I'd guess any auto parts store with a half competent counterman would be able to help in the same manner.

sactoC10 · 10-09-2003, 10:43 AM

This is all good info...and there is a decent Napa not far from my home, maybe that is what I will try this weekend. Thanks...and that thing about a "competent" counter person indeed makes all the difference in the world!

VTKidder · 10-09-2003, 10:52 AM

No prob....they'll be a Balkamp 650-XXXX number, like 650-4065 or something; it's been 4 years, so I'm a tad rusty.

Never ceases to amaze me what corncob they'll stick at the counter to help someone out.

Half the time I just ask for a book and find the numbers myself if they don't immediately know what they're doing. It's kind of amusing.

sactoC10 · 10-09-2003, 11:23 AM

Yeah, I was at parts store that sells tires recently and one guy sent me to another who supposedly "knew" the answers to the tire questions.

It took him 30 seconds to start giving me the fatherly lecture about how someone "ruined" my truck by putting wider wheels on it that are not supposed to be there... was this supposed to get him a sale? He even walked me through the tires and showed me what "should" be on my truck. My question was simply, "What are my size options with 15x10 wheels?"

This was the same place I tried to get some U-bolts from that were too small, but I was not about to ask someone for help again!

BTW, spent two year riding in New Hampshire, Nault's Honda in Manchester was one of several shops I frequented. Hate those New England frost heaves and changeable weather when it comes to two wheels!

Keep at least ONE rubber side down, eh? I'll let you know about the U-bolt progress.

VTKidder · 10-09-2003, 11:59 AM

You know it

**COBALT** · 10-10-2003, 05:12 PM

Go to any big truck suspension or spring shop. They're generally in your local business or industrial district. You can get them to exact specs. They'll make them for you from solid steel stock. Make sure they're grade 8, and come with nuts and washers. You don't' need to lock them with lock washers. They torque over 200 ft-lbs.

I got mine from LMC by the way. They had ones that worked great, but I had to spread them a part. They were over-bent.

sactoC10 · 10-11-2003, 12:29 AM

Well, the local Napa dealer was NO HELP, said they could not get anything over 5/8 or 9/16.

Found two Tractor-Truck parts delers who can make them as described in 5-10 minutes time, but I have to wait until monday.

I'll check my LMC catalogue, and still hope to get some somewhere in town tomorrow.

Thanks!

10-08-2003, 11:00 AM	#1
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	longer rear U-bolts ??? Anyone know where replacement rear U-bolts can be purchased for my 71 LWB truck? I don't need to spend a fortune on a drop kit to get them, I don't want the stock size and my local parts stores do not have the wide thick ones that these trucks need. Do I need to go to a 4WD shop or something? Would they even have such a thing? Help!

10-08-2003, 12:12 PM	#3
PrimeredThunder Back from the Dead Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 522	Any Driveshaft shop or 4x4/Big Rig Shop should be able to make what you need. I had to get some made when I took ou my blocks. Cost about 25 bucks for two of them. Kenny __________________ The only Carb that matters to me is the one under my hood! Salem, Oregon

10-08-2003, 01:14 PM	#4
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,920	Early Classics sells them longer $30pr. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

10-09-2003, 11:23 AM	#8
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	Yeah, I was at parts store that sells tires recently and one guy sent me to another who supposedly "knew" the answers to the tire questions. It took him 30 seconds to start giving me the fatherly lecture about how someone "ruined" my truck by putting wider wheels on it that are not supposed to be there... was this supposed to get him a sale? He even walked me through the tires and showed me what "should" be on my truck. My question was simply, "What are my size options with 15x10 wheels?" This was the same place I tried to get some U-bolts from that were too small, but I was not about to ask someone for help again! BTW, spent two year riding in New Hampshire, Nault's Honda in Manchester was one of several shops I frequented. Hate those New England frost heaves and changeable weather when it comes to two wheels! Keep at least ONE rubber side down, eh? I'll let you know about the U-bolt progress. Last edited by sactoC10; 10-09-2003 at 01:06 PM.

10-09-2003, 11:59 AM	#9
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	You know it Attached Images

10-08-2003, 11:06 AM	#2
racindego Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: philly Posts: 76	i got mine at a local big rig place called florig's in conshohocken,Pa. they make them in house to your specs. Im sure you can find somethin similar near you. I think i paid 10 dollars for a set

10-09-2003, 09:18 AM	#5
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	While working at our local NAPA for 5 years, we sold them out of a book that you could custom pick what you wanted, and how long they needed to be; up to a limit. You could choose the length, width and size of the bar (7/16"-5/8" or so). If we didn't have them, they could order them and have them overnight. I'd guess any auto parts store with a half competent counterman would be able to help in the same manner.

10-09-2003, 10:43 AM	#6
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	This is all good info...and there is a decent Napa not far from my home, maybe that is what I will try this weekend. Thanks...and that thing about a "competent" counter person indeed makes all the difference in the world!

10-09-2003, 10:52 AM	#7
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	No prob....they'll be a Balkamp 650-XXXX number, like 650-4065 or something; it's been 4 years, so I'm a tad rusty. Never ceases to amaze me what corncob they'll stick at the counter to help someone out. Half the time I just ask for a book and find the numbers myself if they don't immediately know what they're doing. It's kind of amusing.

10-10-2003, 05:12 PM	#10
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Go to any big truck suspension or spring shop. They're generally in your local business or industrial district. You can get them to exact specs. They'll make them for you from solid steel stock. Make sure they're grade 8, and come with nuts and washers. You don't' need to lock them with lock washers. They torque over 200 ft-lbs. I got mine from LMC by the way. They had ones that worked great, but I had to spread them a part. They were over-bent. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

10-11-2003, 12:29 AM	#11
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	Well, the local Napa dealer was NO HELP, said they could not get anything over 5/8 or 9/16. Found two Tractor-Truck parts delers who can make them as described in 5-10 minutes time, but I have to wait until monday. I'll check my LMC catalogue, and still hope to get some somewhere in town tomorrow. Thanks!

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