leaf sping pin/bolt

hello, i recently found out i cracked my rear leaf spring. toyota wants to charge me $985 to fix. well i dont have that kind of money right now. coworkers told me to take out the center leaf on each side. and it will lower it just a bit. but they are telling me to get a center bolt to hold the springs together. i called toyota if they can help, they told me i had to purchase the whole spring. FORGET THAT!
my question is what kind of bolt should i use for the center and if it is safe to use if i but from a hardware store?

 

This area for introductions only, now get out...

 

J/K....

Just messin' with ya, yeah get a grade 5 or better bolt,fine thread, knock the corners off & yer good

 

You may be able to find used leaf packs from a salvage yard and use that. You may find that it may lower the truck more than just a bit by taking out a spring.

 

just call me a rookie!

 

Ome dakars......allpro expos

Or do the OMD leaf pack......

Much better than taking a leaf out

 

What about replacing the broken one with a Skyjacker or some other add a leaf?