Flipping U-bolts - Any Detriments?

[BigSix]

On my 65 Dana 60 the threads are downward and will likely get hung up on rocks.

I'd like to get new U-bolts that are round to go around the tube and then get some plates to go over the leaf springs. Right now there is a plate on the bottom where the threads are and the ubolts are square and go over the leafs.

Question is: do I lose any strength or add any sort of axle wrap characteristics? I'm going up on power soon and don't want to do anything that will make axle wrap worse.

[enaberif]

Its pretty common for people to do this to help with exactly what your concerned about.

[BigSix]

And the axle is held in place as firmly as it is with the factory setup?

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by BigSix

And the axle is held in place as firmly as it is with the factory setup?

Yup. Even on my truck the ubolts are flipped around so the nuts are on top.

[Mike C]

Starting in '73 "flipped" was the new norm. In my experience, it seems the saddle below the housing and the square u-bolts over the spring cause more wear to the housing as the cast plate tries to "saw" through the tubes over time.

Just get you a '73 and up donor and swap.

[BigSix]

Thanks again for the information.

Knowing now that flipping the bolts is not a detriment - and potentially a benefit - I won't feel bad just cutting the ubolts instead of trying to wrench them off.