I put an email in to ReadyLift about a new block for the 2017's. I got a reply back from Tim. They have no plans to make a shorter block with the factory "bump stop ear" for a guy like me who wants to lower.
I want to get this done sooner than later. I will update when I find something that works for me.

 

Is the block flat on the bottom? If so then see if a local machine shop can mill off 1"

 

Unfortunately the block is mostly hollow. I am playing with my old timbrens as a possible fix for a block with no ears.

 

Well, I figured out what I am going to try first. I went to the dealer today to look at the 2016 F250's. The block is 2", my cost is about $50/each. I can still use my existing u-bolts with this block as I have at least 1.5" of thread to use now. I should have them installed this weekend.

 

I look forward to hearing if this works. However you should not re-use your U-Bolts. They stretch in on initial torquing and are not supposed to be used again if removed.

 

I have seen a few of you say that. In all of my years of lifting trucks, I have never heard that before, or been told that from any shop. I feel like I should have heard about not re-using u-bolts in the past based on the number of lifted trucks and shops I have been around. Are you all certain it is frowned upon?
I ask also because the 2016 F250 u-bolts are 1" shorter than my current, which would fit better anyways, and I could easily order them.

 

Ask Ford. It's their policy. But yes, it's a known deal. Would something likely go wrong? Negative. It's just cheap insurance.

 

I can recall one of the shops I used to frequent with a pile of used u-bolts that they sold or had on hand for when different lengths were needed.

 

Jogging my memory a bit, I can recall re-tightening u-bolts after I had re-used or re-placed them in the past....

Thanks for the info

 

Yup, it's likely never going to be an issue. Most bolts can be reused without issue. I remember doing this with a previous truck and was shocked that I wasn't supposed to re-use the u-bolts but it was what it was. Like you said about the shop above, it's probably done all the time without anything ever going wrong. It's just so relatively cheap to get new ones that I went with what Ford said was necessary. Maybe it was a waste.

 

I wonder what Ford would say about me making my own u-bolts out of all thread? I have done that multiple times here on the farm

 

Probably something along the same lines as what the weight police say about my current truck and RV combo....

 

LOL that's the truth!

 

Goes to show ignorance is bliss. I broke a spring on my trailer a few years ago and the guy tried to sell me new u-bolts with the new spring. I asked him why would I buy new ones when the old ones are in perfectly good shape? He had no answer but said they always offer them anyway. So I guess one of my axles is hanging on by the skin of its teeth?

 

We use the same u-bolts over and over all the time but he is right, Ford will not nor will any reputable shop for liability reasons and ASME standards. U-bolts do stretch upon initial torquing. Once this is done they do not stretch much if any after that. Can they be used again? Absolutely, but not to the same spec as intended. Will they still work? Yes in most cases. Fastenal did a study showing where any fastener that is used a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc., etc. time will require more torque each time to achieve the same clamping force due to thread manipulation upon tightening.

Fastenal states that "On a demonstration with a 1/2-13 zinc plated SAE J429 Grade 5 hex cap screw and zinc plated SAE J995 Grade 5 hex nut with an installation torque of 70 ft-lbs to obtain a clamp load of 9000 lbs (without any added lubrication). On the second installation, this torque had increased to 95 ft-lbs to obtain 9000 lbs. By the fourth installation, we required 145 ft-lbs to reach a clamp load of 9000 lbs."

Interesting to say the least..............took over twice the torque on the 4th use to achieve the same clamping force.

It also states "A Previously torqued U-bolt will suffer from distorted threads from engagement of the deep nut. Deep nuts should be tightened and re-torqued, never loosened and re-tightened." Dayton-parts also recommends in the product info sheet to lubricate the washers and U-bolts with oil or anti-seize compound to reduce friction when torquing the U-bolts nuts.

LH rods who supplies threaded U-bolt rod to Dayton-parts and others, comments on the issue of U-bolt reuse at the following link...

http://lhrods.com/donotreusse.htm

At the link above, part of what LH rod says is that "Suspension U-Bolts are manufactured with a smooth rolled thread, while the mating Hi-Nuts are manufactured with sharp cut threads. When a U-Bolt is tightened to its recommended torque level, the U-Bolt threads stretch as they mate with the Hi-Nuts. Although not always visible to the naked eye, this damages the threads. Removing the Hi-Nuts from the U-Bolt will cause a cross - threading that will not allow the U-bolt to be adequately retorqued."