Leaf spring top plate

[swamp rat]

I'm looking to replace the top plate on my springs with a thicker one because my new U bolts ate hitting the corners of the springs before they get tight on the plate.

72 3/4T with Eaton Ho-52 rear.

Can anybody point me in the correct direction on where to buy?

What dimensions am i looking for? is it hole center to center? or the width of the leaf springs?

Thanks!

[kwmech]

I checked a couple of places that used to have the plates, but I cannot find them at the moment. I used to work for an offroad shop and we had them on the shelf by the dozens. They are not all that hard to make of have some made. Make sure that the plates are at least 1/4'' thick 3/8'' is better. 3/4'' hole in the center and space the 45 degree bends 3'' apart. Width of the plate should be 1/4'' narrower than the spring width. So if you have a 2.5'' width spring make the plate 2.250 so the radius of the u-bolt will clear.

try one of these:
www.foothilloffroad.com
www.partsmike.com

[swamp rat]

Bump... Any more leads????

[LockDoc]

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If you can't find new thicker ones maybe you could stack two on each spring. Someone on the parts board should have some...

LockDoc

[swamp rat]

ttt, still searching..

[BLAZERMAN]

Here's one still available from any GM dealer, I've used this spacer and had no problems with them, if I remember another member said he used the same one and it broke on him.
Another option is to use the top plates from a 73 to 87 truck and go u bolts up, you won't need the spacer and its a much better setup. I've seen axle tubes half eaten away from rust caused by muck settling in the bottom u bolt cradle of the stock setup.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by BLAZERMAN

Here's one still available from any GM dealer, I've used this spacer and had no problems with them, if I remember another member said he used the same one and it broke on him.
Another option is to use the top plates from a 73 to 87 truck and go u bolts up, you won't need the spacer and its a much better setup. I've seen axle tubes half eaten away from rust caused by muck settling in the bottom u bolt cradle of the stock setup.

Thanks for posting! I got these new U bolts with the lift kit and really don't want to buy more stuff if i don't have too, i'm in the poor house already, but yes it seems almost all i can find it the style with the flipped U bolts.

I did have a little rust in the lower cradle but not too bad, the cradles still look pretty good.

I'll check into this part and if i run it and it breaks i'll convert then. Thanks!

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by BLAZERMAN

Here's one still available from any GM dealer, I've used this spacer and had no problems with them, if I remember another member said he used the same one and it broke on him.
Another option is to use the top plates from a 73 to 87 truck and go u bolts up, you won't need the spacer and its a much better setup. I've seen axle tubes half eaten away from rust caused by muck settling in the bottom u bolt cradle of the stock setup.

Blazerman, I just called my local dealer and he said that the part number 1571234 is discontinued..... Go figure.

[BLAZERMAN]

Here's some, kinda pricey tho! https://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/...ng-1746-0.html

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by BLAZERMAN

Here's some, kinda pricey tho! https://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/...ng-1746-0.html

I sure appreciate your help. I also emailed a couple other places but won't get a reply until Monday, at least now i have something i can order if need be.

[bobs409]

How about a junkyard? I found the bottom one shown in blazermans picture above for my wrecker a few years ago that way.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by bobs409

How about a junkyard? I found the bottom one shown in blazermans picture above for my wrecker a few years ago that way.

Yea i thought of that to but i don't have a portable torch to cut U bolts, plus i have been working a lot of OT as of late, guess i'd rather my fingers do the walking for now but may try a couple local yards next week if necessary, Thanks!

[bobs409]

I don't have a torch either, just a cheap battery powered sawzall from Harbor Freight! Bought it just for junkyarding and it's paid for itself a few times over.

If your real lucky, you'll find a truck with no box like I did. I just cut the shackle U bolt and those top plates were mine.

[68gmsee]

Maybe I'm missing something but on my GMC when I removed a couple of leaf springs and left the bolts too long, I just used some larger nut and washers to compensate.

When growing up, we improvise whenever we had to. If you need a thicker top plate, why not cut a piece of flat steel (Lowes, Tractor Supply, etc) and drill a hole in it as a spacer or add some washers?

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by bobs409

I don't have a torch either, just a cheap battery powered sawzall from Harbor Freight! Bought it just for junkyarding and it's paid for itself a few times over.

If your real lucky, you'll find a truck with no box like I did. I just cut the shackle U bolt and those top plates were mine.

I like the battery powered Sawzall idea!! May end up getting one.

I actually found a little break in my schedual to hit a couple junk yards today, i was not allowed to cut any U bolts for what i needed but he said if i found some loose i could snag them, and low and behold i just happened to look on the ground and found a perfect top plate laying next to an old chevy, 20 minutes later i found the other one about 20 feet away, hard to believe! Cant post a pic now bit will later.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Maybe I'm missing something but on my GMC when I removed a couple of leaf springs and left the bolts too long, I just used some larger nut and washers to compensate.

When growing up, we improvise whenever we had to. If you need a thicker top plate, why not cut a piece of flat steel (Lowes, Tractor Supply, etc) and drill a hole in it as a spacer or add some washers?

I'm not concerned about bolts being too long, i can cut them down, i believe i was just saying i had room for a thicker plate.

Yes i improvised a lot myself including bailing wire muffler hangers and what have you. My reasoning for wanting the proper plate is that i think these saddles are hardened steel verses any mild steel i would find at a hardware store, i believe with the forces involved with axle wrap ect, i think these plates are not going to deform over time like mild steel would which could cause a U bolt to come loose over time. Actually around here i'd have to go find a scrap yard for something that thick.

But as i mentioned i found a set, pic's to come.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I'm not concerned about bolts being too long, i can cut them down, i believe i was just saying i had room for a thicker plate.

Yes i improvised a lot myself including bailing wire muffler hangers and what have you. My reasoning for wanting the proper plate is that i think these saddles are hardened steel verses any mild steel i would find at a hardware store, i believe with the forces involved with axle wrap ect, i think these plates are not going to deform over time like mild steel would which could cause a U bolt to come loose over time. Actually around here i'd have to go find a scrap yard for something that thick.

But as i mentioned i found a set, pic's to come.

Hope this works, I can't see my cell screen too well..

As you can see quite a bit thicker and wider too, just the right spacing for the springs.

Reflecting back to the previous post too, as many times as i had to jerry rig something I had to rework the majority of it later, i do not want to repurchase new U bolts and everyone that sells them says use them once and then buy new ones, i don't want to do that.. I want this fix to last so want to do it right the first time.