U bolt size

[Nathan123]

Are stock u-bolts for a bronco ii with a 7.5 rear end 3" wide, 7" high, and 1/2" diameter?

 

[disciplerocks]

I know they are 3" wide and 1/2". Not sure of the length.

 

[4x4junkie]

They are 2.75" wide (2.75" axle tube).

For a 8.8" (31 spl) they would be 3.25" wide.

 

[disciplerocks]

Mine were 3" and my 8.8 is 3.25". I measured when swapping them out and trying to find new ones.

Edit: found it here too, just to make sure I wasn't crazy

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.html

 

[4x4junkie]

Hmmm... That's incorrect, the tube is 2.75" right where the leaf perches go (I just measured mine, it's like 2-13/16... maybe because it's dirty).

I'll mention it to Jim for a correction.

 

[disciplerocks]

Not trying to be a dick, but I measured mine:

 

[Nathan123]

See this is why I asked because I read that it was 2 3/4", but I measured mine last weekend, I know they are 3" wide, I was just unsure of the length. I'm at college and cant just go outside to measure them. I want to get blocks and will need new u-bolts, both of which I can pick up friday on my way home.

 

[4x4junkie]

Ok, so I cleaned all the gunk off the axle as best I can, I get a consistent measurement of 2.80" on the tube, and 2.9" for the factory u-bolts (this is measured at the flattened part where it actually goes around the axle). Looks like it's a little in-between sizes (metric maybe?). If a 3" bolt is all that's available (2.75" being a little too tight), then I guess that's what you'll have to use. Sorry if I confused the issue.

 

[Nathan123]

I ended up getting 3" bolts made. They seem a little wide on the sides but they are working so far. I was putting in 1" lift blocks so I ordered 9" length and ended up getting like 11" bolts. had to cut 'em off because a deep socket wouldn't reach the nut. I think the size is screwed up because of the flattened part on the originals.