U-Bolt Trimming?

I just had a local suspension shop reshape and add a leaf to my stock springs. The u-bolts they used seem pretty long. Any reason I couldn't just grab a sawzall and trim an inch or so off the u-bolts so they don't stick down so far?

 

Of course you can. It's going to take a while with a sawzall though. A grinder with a cut off wheel would be much faster.

 

Put the right size die on there before you cut it with a grinder or sawzall so you can retap the threads that possibly get screwed up.

 

Both good ideas. I think we have grinder so now I can add this to my project list. thanks guys.

 

I see no need for that, u-bolts should never be reused so I would chop them off and call it done, no need to clean up the threads as the bolts will still come off fine either way.

 

Get a U-bolt flip kit instead ​

 

If you ever do remove them it will make getting the nuts off a hell of a lot easier. Unless you have an impact that can sheer a cv axle nut off your gonna have a bad time.

 

The old nuts will come off fine. No need to add to the project.

 

The first nut will come off fine. It's the second nut where things start to go south!

 

Because Murphy.

 

I've done this. Definitely use a grinder with a thin cutting blade as oppose to a reciprocating saw. After cutting off the ends, used bench grinder to debur the ends. You will not need a die unless you damage the threads, or they are already damaged from debris or mishandling. I presume those are new u-bolts; thus, the threads should already be clean. Otherwise, it would be wise to clean the threads under the nuts with a wire brush.

 

I just cut the excess off after installing them, no need to re-tap the threads. If you have something that can break the nuts loose in the first place, backing them out over the cuts will be a non issue.

 

I was thinking that after you remove the first nut and back the second nut down to where it binds on bugered threads, the u-bolt is loose , and will jiggle around, minimizing the effect of the impact tool.

 

Exactly.

 

The ubolt is loose before you even get the first nut off. If it's difficult for you just cut them and replace with new ones if you need to remove them and can't get the bolts off....this isn't rocket science.

You're not supposed to reuse them anyways.

 

Get the u bolt flip kit

 

I should've just had them do the flip kit. Didn't think of it at the time. I'll add it my mod list. Trimming should be good for my off road needs for now.

 

If you get U bolt kit, you may not be able to install air bags, should you decide you want them in the future. Also, bump stop may need new bracket. Air bags may work with some engineering and a cradle.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/u-bolt-flip-airbags.360604/

 

When I plasma cut them off they come off just fine. The new replacements seem to go on just fine too. These hold your axle and therefore wheels and brakes to the truck. Makes sense to replace them doesn't it?

 

Incase anyone is wondering, I don't plan to take them off to trim them. They're only a few days old. I'll crawl under and trim them.