sorry, edited my post. Had the wrong link.

Yes you can re use the stock U bolts. You will have to cut off the factory spring perch and basically flip the U bolts and the plate over. That way the plate and the threaded part of the U bolts are on top of the axle.

 

you cant use the factory U bolt...because it actually a square on the OEM setup.

thanks for the info on the perch sheering. i will definately box the ends knowing that.

 

you can. With the factory u bolts you put them back on the spring just like they were from the factory. Only point them up towards the bed instead of towards the ground. wish i had a picture...

 

ehhh buying new u-bolts will be less of a hassle. what about the "shock extenders" ??? dont really need them ? they dont seem to actually extend but change the angle of the shock...

 

The flip kit I have is a McGaughys. The perch plate actually wraps all the way around the axle tube and the end tabs slide into the bottom of the original mount. They are fully boxed and it works really well. The U bolts push it all together when you tighten them.

 

i swapped my djm saddles for the belltech, but im gonna weld some spring perches in place instead. anyone know or can measure the distance from the base of the plate to the bolt hole where the heim joint bolts to on the caltracs for a flip kit?

 

if you use those perches, you need to weld some flat bar on em to prevent axle wrap. this way you wont have to weld anything to the truck and it can be removed easily. just measure your flat bar out, weld em in, and if they're too long grind em down till they fit. This is how I did mine on my old '96 and I had em on there for 3 years until I sold it and they still going strong.
here''s a paintshop edit of what im talking about.
put some flatbar on both sides of the perch.
also you can buy pinion shims that will sit under this perch.

 

now this is a spring perch...
http://calvertracing.com/springperch.php

 

i actually broke the welds at the perches and pushed the stock perches up with those blocks.... my rear end was almost vertical.

i would deffinately weld the perches on .

 

One thing to add as well would be to bend the bottom plate to keep it from warping inward towards the u-bolts. If you have the equipment to bend it just give it about a 45* bend for insurance.