Explorer 8.8 Swap U-Bolts

[Vexy]

I am going to be swapping in an Explorer 8.8 on my B4000 soon. I have a 4" suspension lift, so will I need to have custom (Longer) U-bolts made, since the ones on my ranger won't fit due to the explorer axle tubes being a larger diameter?

 

[4.0B2]

custom? no... just check w/ parts places till you find what you need..
check out ruffstuff

 

[Vexy]

Well by custom, I meant made to order.
I found a few sites that do so, but I think they are a bit pricey. Anyways I'll have to take a height measurement tomorrow on my current u-bolts, then I'll take a look at RuffStuff. Thanks man.

*Edit* Actually I just took a look at RuffStuff, and they only have 10" length, which off the top of my head, seems too short for a 4" suspension lift.

 

[4.0B2]

i like to recommend ruffstuff b/c they are a vendor here on TRS and you'll probably NEVER get better service than Dan and his staff will give.

northridge 4x4 is another good one. dave up there is an awesome guy.

 

[Vexy]

I appreciate the help, but I think the only way I'm gonna get the right size u-bolts is if I either get them custom made, or possibly contact a company that sells lift kits (ie. Skyjacker, Rough Country, etc...).

 

[4.0B2]

just remember a lot of jeepers will swap out their dana 35 rear for an 8.8.... therefore, making aftermarket support for the 8.8 great.

so i bet you can find what you need easily.

 

[Vexy]

Thanks a lot.

 

[kryptonitecb]

x2 on the ruffstuff, good rugged beefy parts similarly priced to the regular stuff. As far as getting custom u-bolts you shouldn't need them unless you have blocks. My ranger has chevy springs with an explorer disk 8.8 and I cut off about 4 inches from the ends of the u-bolts ruffstuff sent me. My deep wells weren't long enough to get to the spring plate, so I tightened them down cut off the excess and tightened the rest of the way.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I ordered mine from Napa, I think they ended up being 13" long and about $45 for the set with nuts and washers, and I believe 9/16" shafts, used F150 spring plates...

 

[Vexy]

x2 on the ruffstuff, good rugged beefy parts similarly priced to the regular stuff. As far as getting custom u-bolts you shouldn't need them unless you have blocks. My ranger has chevy springs with an explorer disk 8.8 and I cut off about 4 inches from the ends of the u-bolts ruffstuff sent me. My deep wells weren't long enough to get to the spring plate, so I tightened them down cut off the excess and tightened the rest of the way.

Yea, I have 3" blocks.

 

[88_Eddie]

grainger may have what you need. the axle tube is a 3.25" diameter, you'd just need to figure out how long they needed to be.

 

[4x4junkie]

Just look for F-150 u-bolts and spring plates.

 

[kryptonitecb]

ewwwww, lift blocks are bad, maybe you should spend the money on getting rid of the blocks so your truck doesn't spit them out on the trail one day

 

[Vexy]

ewwwww, lift blocks are bad, maybe you should spend the money on getting rid of the blocks so your truck doesn't spit them out on the trail one day

Hey i'm a full time student, and working weekends making $9.25/hr. I gotta do with what I got for now. And the trails around here aren't very challenging, so i'm not too worried about tweaking anything just yet.

Thanks for the recommendation though, I would love to buy some new leafs if I could right now...

 

[4.0B2]

ah... there's lots of people that use lift blocks. sure they are not "ideal" but they work... i've seen them BEAT ON hard and not break. i'm not scared of them...