used leaf springs

[primetime]

i finally found a set of used leaf springs so i can get my truck back on the road in a straight line. i have been trying to figure out what size u-bolts do i need to pick up from autozone? i plan on cutting the old ones off with a cut-off wheel to speed up my progress. i have a 77 short bed 2wd 1/2ton. the leaf springs are 4stacked

[bigblock73]

3" u-bolts, I believe 9/16 diameter. Bring an old one with you when you buy your new ones just to be safe. I cut mine off too, one cut on at the top of the axle, they fell right out.

With everyone using old u-bolts around here, this post caught me off guard.

[primetime]

yea, i thought about using my old bolts too, put i don't want to fight with the rust to take them off. i figured it would be easier to cut then off with the cut-off wheel.
i read alot of post about others and the flip kit, but i'm not going with a flip kit, just back stock to get rolling again. thanks for the info

[primetime]

@#$! $#@$ &^%* (*&* and any other 4 letter words i can think of!!!!!!!! the old spring came off so easy. i just unbolted them instead of cutting. i knew it was too good to be true. when i tried to put the 'new' springs in.... disaster. its almost like they are too short. i finally gave up and kicking myself for not taking it to the shop first. i thought i would be back on the road this weekend. now i have no choice but to find a solution because i'm not paying someone to tow it to the shop. @#$! %$$# &^*%

[cableguy0]

There are 2 different length springs. Are they a lot shorter?

[primetime]

yes

[USSkoval]

So you had 56's then, now you want to put in 52's. You would need to cut the rear hangers loose from the frame, then bolt them back on 4 inches forward. The extra 2 holes may already be there.

[bigblock73]

Yup, wrong size springs. Like Andy said, you'll need to move the rear hangers forward...the holes are already there for them on the frame...or get the right size springs. It will suck knocking out the rivets to move them forward though.

[knightowl73]

yes and alot easier if the bed is off. it might be worth your tme to pull er off cus grinding and busting out them rivets is alot easier from the top and not the bottom. Just a thought

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by knightowl73

yes and alot easier if the bed is off. it might be worth your tme to pull er off cus grinding and busting out them rivets is alot easier from the top and not the bottom. Just a thought

It might be easier to get another set of leaf springs that are the right length.

[primetime]

i picked these sprim
ngs up from a guy locally, i'm pretty sure there's no refunds so i'm f@#!ed on that. how would i know for future refrences that the used springs i'm getting are the correct ones? other than carry a tape measurer with me to the junkyard

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by primetime

i picked these sprim
ngs up from a guy locally, i'm pretty sure there's no refunds so i'm f@#!ed on that. how would i know for future refrences that the used springs i'm getting are the correct ones? other than carry a tape measurer with me to the junkyard

A tape measure is your only way to know for sure. I don't know of any other way to identify them.

It is worth a shot to call the guy and ask him if he will exchange them for the ones you need rather than an outright refund. Most places will work with you on that. They really don't care that one part or another is off the shelf just that one is sold.

[primetime]

i'm in luck. i dropped my springs off at a place i found on the internet. turns out it was only 30 minutes from me. i will pick them back up this afternoon, and got all weekend to put them back on. by monday i should be back on the road. thank you Wheeling Springs.

[primetime]

update...
i got my old springs repaired from the shop. they even put a new leaf on the stack plus new bushings and hardware. it cost me $180 for everything. my wife and i finished installing them this morning and it drives straight again. very satisified with the results. now its on to tackle the other issues i've got. thanks for everyones help.