Need trailing arm u-bolt size - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MAK191 · 02-02-2010, 11:38 PM

Can anyone help me out? I am going to try to go to a spring shop tomorrow to get u bolts made and I need the dimensions for the u bolts for the trailing arms. I want to get longer ones made for a 1.5 or 2 inch lower block. I have found several threads regarding this, but some of the measurements are different. I had to cut my stock ones so they are no good to measure. Any help is appreciated.
A= 5/8 or 3/4 (I have found different opinions on this)
B= 3 inch
C= ?
total rod length 24 inches

suville · 02-03-2010, 12:00 AM

I can get you a measurement tomorrow. And here is a source.
http://www.stengelbros.com/U-boltKits.htm

MAK191 · 02-03-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suville

I can get you a measurement tomorrow. And here is a source.
http://www.stengelbros.com/U-boltKits.htm

Thank you I would appreciate the measurements. Finding a source for these has been pretty easy, just need correct size.

MAK191 · 02-03-2010, 03:57 PM

ttt

hayhauler71 · 02-03-2010, 04:05 PM

Mine I hade made at a spring shop were 3/4.

suville · 02-03-2010, 07:34 PM

I measured the U-bolts from a 70 C10 Burb, A=3/4",B=3.5",C=8". Add up the additional thickness for what ever additions, blocks,track bar mount if using etc and that will be your new C length. Hope this clears it up for ya!

MAK191 · 02-03-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suville

I measured the U-bolts from a 70 C10 Burb, A=3/4",B=3.5",C=8". Add up the additional thickness for what ever additions, blocks,track bar mount if using etc and that will be your new C length. Hope this clears it up for ya!

Thank you for going out and measuring. I am a little confused, because of this thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=196457 he states the bolts are 5/8 and the axle tube is 3 inches. I really think the bolts are 3/4 but what is the real size of B (axle tube diameter)? Does your suburban have a 12 bolt? just trying to get a clear answer before I get some made. really wish I had some stock ones to bring to the spring shop.

fixit-p · 02-04-2010, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suville

I measured the U-bolts from a 70 C10 Burb, A=3/4",B=3.5",C=8". Add up the additional thickness for what ever additions, blocks,track bar mount if using etc and that will be your new C length. Hope this clears it up for ya!

X2 these dimensions are correct add to the C dimension for block thickness. The axle tube is 3" but as stated the U-bolts aren't perpendicular to the axle tube. I built my own stepped trailing arms and the dimension of the axle mounting holes are 4.25" center to center minus .75 U-bolt diameter leaves 3.5" inside dimension.

MAK191 · 02-03-2010, 09:21 PM

OK here is what I came up with. I went a purchased a measuring caliper so I could get and accurate measurement my axle tube diameter, it was 3 inches(GM 12 bolt). Drove down the street to where there is a 70 C10 SWB for sale on a lot, crawled under the rear and measured A= 3/4", B= 3" and C 8"(stock) so it looks like that is what I will be picking up tomorrow, but with about 1.5-2.0" added on. Hopefully it works out fine.

RBC67 · 02-03-2010, 10:30 PM

I just took a set off my truck that had a 2.5" drop. They are in great shape. You can have them for the cost of shipping. PM if you are interested.

RBC67 · 02-03-2010, 10:45 PM

I just remembered that I'm driving to Orlando next week for business, so If you are in that area I throw them my truck and you can have them for free...

MAK191 · 02-04-2010, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBC67

I just remembered that I'm driving to Orlando next week for business, so If you are in that area I throw them my truck and you can have them for free...

Wow, that is a great offer and I usually never pass on free parts. But I will be picking up u bolts up tomorrow from a local spring shop. They quoted me less than $20 and I need them bad for this weekend.

RBC67 · 02-04-2010, 12:14 AM

Thats cause you don't have winter down there....lol good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAK191

Wow, that is a great offer and I usually never pass on free parts. But I will be picking up u bolts up tomorrow from a local spring shop. They quoted me less than $20 and I need them bad for this weekend.

Rooster's 67 · 02-03-2010, 11:39 PM

keep in mind if you have bolts made for 3" they will be very hard to install, the bolts are at an angle, the distance inside the U is grater than 3" barely just cant remember how much right now and trucks are down at the shop. measure the trailing arms centerline to centerline and you will see they are a little over 3". i know this from experience had a set bent for 3" and fought them forever to get them to line up.

MAK191 · 02-04-2010, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooster's 67

keep in mind if you have bolts made for 3" they will be very hard to install, the bolts are at an angle, the distance inside the U is grater than 3" barely just cant remember how much right now and trucks are down at the shop. measure the trailing arms centerline to centerline and you will see they are a little over 3". i know this from experience had a set bent for 3" and fought them forever to get them to line up.

That makes complete sense, I didn't even think about the angle they are mounted at. So then I think I need the 3.5 like suville stated above. Is this right or will that be too big?

oldblue1968chevy · 02-03-2010, 11:55 PM

I need some for 2" drop blocks. Where can I get a set made in the middle of nowhere TN? Any ideas? Or a website? Im going to be swapping rearends and probably having to cut my factory U bolts.. Need new ones and would like to put a lowering blocck out there too..

If MAK191 passes on the U bolts id be interested if youd give the same deal to others lol

RBC67 · 02-04-2010, 12:10 AM

Sure, however you are the third in line for the deal. Anouthr member sent me a pm asking for them as well. I need to give MAK191 some time to respond though. I'll PM you if neather are interested.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

I need some for 2" drop blocks. Where can I get a set made in the middle of nowhere TN? Any ideas? Or a website? Im going to be swapping rearends and probably having to cut my factory U bolts.. Need new ones and would like to put a lowering blocck out there too..

If MAK191 passes on the U bolts id be interested if youd give the same deal to others lol

MAK191 · 02-04-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

I need some for 2" drop blocks. Where can I get a set made in the middle of nowhere TN? Any ideas? Or a website? Im going to be swapping rearends and probably having to cut my factory U bolts.. Need new ones and would like to put a lowering blocck out there too..

If MAK191 passes on the U bolts id be interested if youd give the same deal to others lol

I will be passing on the bolts, I found a local semi truck spring shop that makes springs while you wait for less than $20.

MAK191 · 02-04-2010, 12:16 AM

Thanks RBC67 and have a safe drive down.

Rooster's 67 · 02-04-2010, 12:28 AM

MAK191, measure the inside to inside distance of the holes in the trailing arms on your truck that will tell you the size they need to make them to clear the axle tube, at angle.

MAK191 · 02-04-2010, 08:12 AM

I realize I was being a stubborn SOB about the 3.5 size and I had everything I needed in the reply by suville. I was just worried that it would be too big and not tighten correctly, but then I was reminded it sits at an angle to the axle, therefore making up for the half inch. Thanks everyone for educating me, I needed it.

02-02-2010, 11:38 PM	#1
MAK191 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: FL Posts: 335	Need trailing arm u-bolt size Can anyone help me out? I am going to try to go to a spring shop tomorrow to get u bolts made and I need the dimensions for the u bolts for the trailing arms. I want to get longer ones made for a 1.5 or 2 inch lower block. I have found several threads regarding this, but some of the measurements are different. I had to cut my stock ones so they are no good to measure. Any help is appreciated. A= 5/8 or 3/4 (I have found different opinions on this) B= 3 inch C= ? total rod length 24 inches Attached Images Last edited by MAK191; 02-02-2010 at 11:54 PM.

02-03-2010, 12:00 AM	#2
suville Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mtn. Home, Idaho Posts: 906	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size *I can get you a measurement tomorrow. And here is a source.* http://www.stengelbros.com/U-boltKits.htm

02-03-2010, 03:57 PM	#4
MAK191 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: FL Posts: 335	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size ttt

02-03-2010, 04:05 PM	#5
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size Mine I hade made at a spring shop were 3/4.

02-03-2010, 07:34 PM	#6
suville Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mtn. Home, Idaho Posts: 906	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size I measured the U-bolts from a 70 C10 Burb, A=3/4",B=3.5",C=8". Add up the additional thickness for what ever additions, blocks,track bar mount if using etc and that will be your new C length. Hope this clears it up for ya!

02-03-2010, 09:21 PM	#9
MAK191 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: FL Posts: 335	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size OK here is what I came up with. I went a purchased a measuring caliper so I could get and accurate measurement my axle tube diameter, it was 3 inches(GM 12 bolt). Drove down the street to where there is a 70 C10 SWB for sale on a lot, crawled under the rear and measured A= 3/4", B= 3" and C 8"(stock) so it looks like that is what I will be picking up tomorrow, but with about 1.5-2.0" added on. Hopefully it works out fine.

02-03-2010, 10:30 PM	#10
RBC67 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 107	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size I just took a set off my truck that had a 2.5" drop. They are in great shape. You can have them for the cost of shipping. PM if you are interested. __________________ 69 C10 SWB 406 SBC 08 Silverado HD 2500 LWB Crew Cab Diesel. 06 Trail Blazer SS (Wife's Daily Driver) 67 RS/SS G-Machine http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/RBC67

02-03-2010, 10:45 PM	#11
RBC67 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 107	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size I just remembered that I'm driving to Orlando next week for business, so If you are in that area I throw them my truck and you can have them for free... __________________ 69 C10 SWB 406 SBC 08 Silverado HD 2500 LWB Crew Cab Diesel. 06 Trail Blazer SS (Wife's Daily Driver) 67 RS/SS G-Machine http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/RBC67

02-03-2010, 11:39 PM	#14
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size keep in mind if you have bolts made for 3" they will be very hard to install, the bolts are at an angle, the distance inside the U is grater than 3" barely just cant remember how much right now and trucks are down at the shop. measure the trailing arms centerline to centerline and you will see they are a little over 3". i know this from experience had a set bent for 3" and fought them forever to get them to line up. __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

02-03-2010, 11:55 PM	#16
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size I need some for 2" drop blocks. Where can I get a set made in the middle of nowhere TN? Any ideas? Or a website? Im going to be swapping rearends and probably having to cut my factory U bolts.. Need new ones and would like to put a lowering blocck out there too.. If MAK191 passes on the U bolts id be interested if youd give the same deal to others lol __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

02-04-2010, 12:16 AM	#19
MAK191 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: FL Posts: 335	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size Thanks RBC67 and have a safe drive down.

02-04-2010, 12:28 AM	#20
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size MAK191, measure the inside to inside distance of the holes in the trailing arms on your truck that will tell you the size they need to make them to clear the axle tube, at angle. __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

02-04-2010, 08:12 AM	#21
MAK191 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: FL Posts: 335	Re: Need trailing arm u-bolt size I realize I was being a stubborn SOB about the 3.5 size and I had everything I needed in the reply by suville. I was just worried that it would be too big and not tighten correctly, but then I was reminded it sits at an angle to the axle, therefore making up for the half inch. Thanks everyone for educating me, I needed it.



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