TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Apr 25, 2019 2:38 pm

I have a little utility trail ... 1-ton. It's a 4'x4'x8' box with a single leaf-spring axle under it. The axle is too short and the wheels are under the box ... making the whole thing kind of high and tippy.

So I got a longer axle that will place the wheels outboard of the box and some fenders. The axle is already situated on top of the leaf spring and I want to lower the box by raising the axle. I'll make some blocks and I'll need longer u-bolts.

The biggest u-bolts I can find for a 1-3/4" axle are 4-1/4" long. Looks like I might only be able to do a one inch drop with those bolts.

If I wanted longer bolts where would I find them? No luck with my searches so far.

Max

Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:07 pm

A local trailer supply store? Boise area has at least 12- but we're in far country.

Start with rod-stock and bend/thread your own?

See if (gulp) all-thread rod could do the trick? I have no idea what happens when it's bent..

Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:10 pm

I went to a semi repair place here in Cleveland and they bent shackles to whatever size needed.

Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:25 pm

When the axle is above the spring, those u-bolts are in tension and must hold the entire load. Making my own just doesn't sound wise. ;-)

This is pretty pricey :
https://www.trailerblocks.com/collections/2000lb-axle-kits

But this is local :
https://www.pepboys.com/superior-automotive-lift-lowering-block-kit-round-u-bolts/product/1174104#

I'll talk to the pep boys guys tomorrow.

Max

Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:30 pm

Nearly every town has a spring shop where semi trucks go for suspension work, they can manufacture new U bolts in any size you want while you wait. My son had some made for his Toyota for ~ $10 per U last year.

Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:58 pm

busdaddy wrote: Nearly every town has a spring shop where semi trucks go for suspension work, they can manufacture new U bolts in any size you want while you wait. My son had some made for his Toyota for ~ $10 per U last year.

Yep. I live in a small town and the local truck maintenance place has made me custom u-bolts more than once. Cheap, and they did while I waited.

Sat Apr 27, 2019 11:11 am

I’ve bought u bolts at autozone and the farm store before (around here it’s TSC oor Rural King)

Sat Apr 27, 2019 5:43 pm

Yeah, we have a TSC here but they only have standard size u-bolts. I haven't had a chance to hit pep Boyz yet..

Max

Sat Apr 27, 2019 7:05 pm

The autozone (no pep boys in my town) carried that lowering block kit you linked to with the long u bolts at least 10 years ago since i checked. The aluminum blocks usually cracked but the bolts seemed fine.

Sat Apr 27, 2019 7:19 pm

Max Welton wrote: Yeah, we have a TSC here but they only have standard size u-bolts. I haven't had a chance to hit pep Boyz yet..

Max

Did you ask if they could make a custom set for you? Many places can.

I would make my own blocks from Oak or maple.

Sat Apr 27, 2019 9:56 pm

Of course I did. They can't.

Not only that, but I was also looking for fresh tires for my John Deere 317 (1982) and they not only didn't have those, but referred me to the local Big-O to order them. Big-O was able to get the tires BTW.

The TSC in Monument CO was remarkably unhelpful for a place called Tractor Supply Company. I guess Monument isn't the same market it once was. More urban and less rural.

Max

Mon Apr 29, 2019 5:50 am

I put 10,000 lb axles in mine. I got the kits from a supplier in MI. I forget the place now been years.

But they have drop axles so you don't have to mount under the springs.

Those prices are too much. The U-bolts and parts were all USA made from that place. Look some shops up online. They should be all over the place.

Are you doing single or double axles? They have kits for those too. Gotta do welding though. I used a Lincoln 250 MIG to do mine.

Sun Jun 02, 2019 11:35 am

I’ve maintained six trailers over the years with these guys

https://www.championtrailers.com