U-Bolt Sizing - 1st Gen Tacoma

One of the leaf packs on my 95' Tacoma 3.4L has a snapped leaf. I've been putting off overhaul of the rear suspension for a while, but push has come to shove.

I'm planning on ordering the General Spring HD leaf packs as replacements, and already have Bilstein 5100 shocks to replace the current ones in the rear. I'm also planning on ordering new U-Bolts from General Spring for when I do the shocks and springs, but have a couple of questions are far as sizing is concerned.

Measured the current dimensions of the U-Bolts on my truck as follows.

• Length - 6"
• Width - 2 3/8"
• Bolt Diam - 1/2"

1. If I order U-Bolts with the Width of 2 1/2" (only option on General Spring site for this size leaf) will that be the correct fit for 2 3/8" wide leaf pack?
2. Will I need to order longer U-Bolts to account for the additional leaf in the GS HD leaf pack? The current six inch ones have about 1/2" of thread remaining on each.
3. Should I replace the leaf spring bolts while I'm at it?

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

Take a look here - @Kwikvette or @theophelias might be able to answer your question since they just installed this same setup (GS HDs/5100s).
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/advice-for-leaf-spring-installation.643856/

Worst case situation, touch base with General Spring Customer Service. Their product they should be able to advise you on their U-Bolts and the use of an additional leaf. The U-Bolts absolutely should be changed out and not re-used so good you are planning on doing this.

As for the front hangar and shackle bolts, not necessary but depending on your location, you may encounter some heavy rust. If that's the case, have some replacements standing by and just angle grinder those things off instead of trying to fight them.

 

The width is fine 1/16 " clearance on each side .

I use these on all the springs I have installed

Go with longer U-Bolts you can always cut them after they have been installed .

If you live anyplace that sees Winter chemicals have all new hardware .

You will be cutting the hanger bolts to get them out.

Always good to have new Shackle Kits

 

The U bolts used in the other members application were -

Diameter - 9/16
Inside length - 2 1/2
Length - 7

Purchased from General Springs as well

 

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback y'all, super helpful!