Good point, most Factory U-Bolts are about 1-1.25" longer then needed anyway.

 

I wonder if my stock u-bolts are shorter than others'. In stock form, mine only have 1/8-1/4" thread sticking out the bottom of the nut. With the Assassin bars, the lower plate was so much taller I couldn't even get the nuts to start.

Any tips on finding longer factory u-bolts? I did buy a pair but they were only about 1/2" longer. I need some that are around 1" longer.

 

Sub'd...

As for u-bolts, you can talk to most offroad shops and they can point you to someone local.

 

How long are yours? Most aftermarket and ones that are make at spring shops use shitty steel and they are not heat treated. Yours should be 14mm thread but how long I am not sure. 3/4 ton uses 16mm thread.

 

guys with flip kits can use this:
Superlift U-Bolt Kits 11334 - SummitRacing.com

i have no clue where to start on the trucks with the square bolts.

 

I bought a set on ebay but returned them because the threaded section wasn't long enough. They looked okay to me, they were goldish colored like the grade 8 hardware is. Haven't gotten around to getting another set.

My stockers are around 7.5" overall length. I am running 6* pinion shims which are about 1/2" thick int he front and 1/8" thick in the back. This adds to my issue of the u-bolts being too short.

The GM ones I got to try are 8" overall length, 15872657. I got these with my 1/2" spacer kit to fix the GM lean, which I still haven't installed yet.

 

Most of the trucks should have the squared off U-Bolt as they go over the leaf not the axle.

 

4wd u bolts are 2" longer.

 

Yes they are, just keep in mind that 1/2 and 3/4 ton are different.

 

Pics of differences betwen Phantom's & yours may help others facin this situation. Nickel plated - I drive in winter (currently) so I need to find out if nickel or powdercoat would hold up better here. It'd be nice to not cut a thing or dick w/. longer bolts.

Ferocity, this is indeed for your '01 Ext Cab 2wd, correct?
I guess I could measure mine when I get to, then go off that 8" as to whether they'll fit. Are those 8" ones 2wd or 4wd?
If we all work tog., we can all help others.

Only GM 1/2 ton bolts in 14mm dia. cause they use a better steel & heat treated; perhaps in a 4WD length should work then. The main thing's to confirm if they're squared off above leaf. I wonder if that platform change (GMT800 vs 900) or (2wd vs 4wd dependent)?

If I need bolts, I'll gladly post up my findings, to help others. And since I'm hurt now, I can't get under my truck to confirm & due to Hurricane Sandy, it's raining & will be for a few days.

TDFDiesel said most offroad shops have them & point u to someone local. Yrs. ago, I went to a trailer shop, but that was also on a '71 Pontiac (a car I no longer have so couldn't say if it was shitty steel nor would they need replacin unless goin to a heavier duty rear; that's the only reason I'd ever be concerned is if a 14 bolt goes under). Then, galling or the material could be a big issue.