anyone have any good sites where they have Ubolts for decent price? I know i can have Evan (rangererv) pick me up some or might beable to find a place local but thought there might be something online.

it was my understanding that the 31 spline is 3.25" in diameter.

im hoping to find some Ubolts that have enough thread on them to use with my current configuration, and for when i plan to reinstall my 2.5" stock blocks, but maybe this isnt possible?

thanks

 

zach let me know, next time I put in an order Ill get you some for a great price....

 

think i can get enough thread on them for 2.5" blocks and without those blocks?

 

of course. I get em made to order. ill just have a set for you made...

 

alright well i will let you know i need to search around town localy first to save on shipping.

 

Got mine at a speed shop. They were a packaged item. I think they were like $20 for the whole set. They had to order them though, and it took 2 days, but I can't remember how much thread is on them. Might be you'll need custom to have as much threaded area as you want on them.

 

ill ship em to you for free...

 

do you have an idea on price? seems like i should beable to get them for around 20-30...

 

ide get it a little cheaper but not by much probably...

 

also zachy it depends on the thickness you want...

 

im thinking i will need 3.25 for the axle, plus 2.5 for the spring, and 2.5 for the aditional block add another 2" incase i missed something.

so 10.25" - 11" of total length with 5" of thread maybe 6"?

 

you mean the size of the bolt itself? something like stock should be fine...

 

yeah size rod to make it from...

 

Early 90's F150 4x2 U-bolts should be the right length for a 31-spline without the blocks. However, those are way too short to run with the factory Ranger blocks.

You could use Level II U-bolts for a 31-spline with the blocks but the threads do not run far enough to run those without the blocks - unless you resort to some goofy washer/spacer arrangement on the top side of the spring plate. Seen it done - wouldn't do it myself.

You might be able to find universal aftermarket U-bolts with enough threads to do run with or without the blocks. I think that they typically have a longer threaded section. Last time I priced them, OE U-bolts were about $16 ea and aftermarket were about $12~14.

Correct - the 31-spline axle tubes are 3.25". Dont forget that the factory spring plates are also different for the larger tubes.

 

i have aftermarket ones now, ill have to see what they are...

 

thanks bob, i just got these in the mail today...



not sure if they will alter which type of Ubolt i will need or not, might effect the over all length of them but they are massive.

I'm trying to get an overall good guess on these because when i go down to get my 31 spline installed i want to do it all in one day. and not have to rebuy another set when i install the blocks, but maybe i dont have any choice.

 

Yeah, those look tall. Might need even longer bolts with those especially if you're going to stack traction bar brackets on top, too.

 

yea my brackets for the traction bars aren't going to work anymore. since they are on my smaller axle...

thanks for the reminder

 

Don't forget about the spring plates. You posted the spring perches. The spring plates go over the springs and that's what the ubolts go through and the nut tightens against. Do you have the larger ones of those that you need?

Also the 31 spline ubolts are larger in diameter than the 28 spline. I'm pretty sure I posted on that somewhere on here, but I don't remember the diameter off the top of my head...Bob?

 

diameter is 3.25 John, and no i dont have the plates... crap...

is that a ford part only? or anyone have links to aftermarket ones?

 

Got mine off a junked truck. Any F-150 with an 8.8 or 9 inch rear will have the plates on it. So do Explorers for that matter.

Not the axle tube diameter -- the diameter of the bolt itself. The holes in the spring plate are larger and you heavier bolts are better anyway (stronger).

 

Those should be the same as Bronco/F150's through mid 90's. Should be a plentiful junkyard part.

 

hey zach..ive got some bolts that will work that i dont need anymore..find out how much they cost yah and maybe we could trade them for the things i was goin to buy from you or bolts with some cash or something..just lemme know..i cant use them anymore so there just goin to be stacked in the bottom of my tool box

 

well since this thread is turning into whats need to get this under my truck...

this is a 91 explorer axle with drums. im basically replacing/rebuilding it. will my current ebrake cables work with the new axle?

also is the brake line from the top of the pumpkin to the frame rail setup basically the same?

 

I think so. There's not a dimes worth of difference between Explorer drums from 94 back and Ranger drums. I bought Explorer drums and shoes last time I bought them.

Always possible there's some difference, but I don't think so.