Rear end swap
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 966
Likes: 27
From: Missouri
Rear end swap
I am getting ready to do a ford 9in swap. My concern is the u-bolts. the 9in is larger diameter than the original so the u-bolts need to be wider to fit around it. As I see it this will cause the u-bolts not to be in contact with the side of the springs. Is this an issue to be concerned with? Can original ones be used and just sprung a little enough to fit in the new shock mount brackets that fit under the axle? Does anyone make u-bolts for this swap?
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
Likes: 398
From: W. Central FL.
U bolts should not be reused. See picture.
Link below will most likely have what you require. If not, search "truck suspension U bolts" Have fun and good luck.
Custom Bend U-Bolt for Leaf Spring Applications
Link below will most likely have what you require. If not, search "truck suspension U bolts" Have fun and good luck.
Custom Bend U-Bolt for Leaf Spring Applications
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
You must have the arms of a jabba man if you can spring those U-bolts!
Seriously, I was worried about the 1/8" gap on either side of the springs after my conversion, too. With the lower plates I used, the U-bolts were a larger diameter so they reduced the gap. As long as they are tightened to spec, your perches are good, etc, it isn't an issue if you have a small gap. I accepted the small gap rather than use the flat plates that would fit tightly, but IMO have no real stiffness (they are just flat with a small bend at each end). I actually ended up using Chevy Sierra-class plates, which are really heavy-duty.
My new U-bolts were made to order while I waited at a truck suspension shop, $10/ea. They will be a true U, not squared off, as they go around the axle tubes, not across the spring.
Seriously, I was worried about the 1/8" gap on either side of the springs after my conversion, too. With the lower plates I used, the U-bolts were a larger diameter so they reduced the gap. As long as they are tightened to spec, your perches are good, etc, it isn't an issue if you have a small gap. I accepted the small gap rather than use the flat plates that would fit tightly, but IMO have no real stiffness (they are just flat with a small bend at each end). I actually ended up using Chevy Sierra-class plates, which are really heavy-duty.
My new U-bolts were made to order while I waited at a truck suspension shop, $10/ea. They will be a true U, not squared off, as they go around the axle tubes, not across the spring.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 966
Likes: 27
From: Missouri
Mind will go across the spring as I am using the plates off a 53 350 truck and the axle will still be under the springs. I was not reusing the original old springs that is why I was asking about the space and what to use.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: orange county, ca.
Mid Fifty sells a tie plate kit. Comes with the top plate and u bolts to fit the 2" wide spring with a 3" axle tube. Mine had the stock '71 u bolts and tie plates, the tie plate shaved the bump stop a little and it looked like the spring was moving side to side (or at least the u bolts were). So I bought the kit from mod fifty and everything's tight.
Before:
After:
I've heard of people using the 57-60 set-up so it has the lower shock mount. But I couldn't find one so I also bought the weld on shock kit from Mid Fifty.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...9&postcount=48
Before:
After:
I've heard of people using the 57-60 set-up so it has the lower shock mount. But I couldn't find one so I also bought the weld on shock kit from Mid Fifty.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...9&postcount=48
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 966
Likes: 27
From: Missouri
If I cannot find u-bolts to work with my mounting plates I will look at the M50's setup. It looks clean. The rear end I have is out of a 72 ford and has shock mounts on the axle. I can probable use them but will have to rerun the exhaust that goes out the rear.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: orange county, ca.
Here's mine with the new shock mounts welded on, I tacked them on but it's too windy here to fully weld them (stuck to working in the driveway) so I paid $20 for the muffler shop to weld them.
Mid Fifty's kits:
http://midfifty.com/item.php?INV_ID=1545
or
Spend $117 to get the 10 parts needed.
http://midfifty.com/item.php?INV_ID=1551
http://midfifty.com/item.php?INV_ID=1550
http://midfifty.com/item.php?INV_ID=1531
http://midfifty.com/item.php?INV_ID=1293
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