totallyunimodular

I have an 86 4Runner with a not quite completely flat rear leaf pack. As a temporary adjustment, I got a set of Procomp add-a-leafs for $45 from Summit along with some new bushings. The add-a-leafs are 3/8" thick and looking at how much thread I have sticking out of the u-bolts, its too close to call. And, given they are nearing a quarter century I figure I'll just get new ones.

Question: Are extended length u-bolts like the ones from Trailmaster, that are made for block lifts, appropriate in my application? Most of these seem to be 9+" in length and I really only need about 6 and 3/4". I am having a buddy do the install and he does machining and fabrication for a living, so I am thinking we could cut off the extra length, but I am not sure how far down the bolt the threads start. I don't want too much extra bolt hanging down, or worse yet, have the thread stop from above before I can get the nuts tight enough. All of the posts I am finding concern people doing u-bolt flips, or getting longer u-bolts because they are in fact doing a lift. In my case, I am guessing that add-a-leafs will get me back to stock height and I just need u-bolts that are maybe 1/8" longer than stock so there is enough thread.

Any advice is appreciated!

totallyunimodular

Well, after a lot of research it seems like I need to get some custom ones made. Luckily, there are some shops like Rocky Mountain Drive Line Specialty (I am near Denver) that sell/make just what I need (9/16 post diameter, 2.5" between the posts, and 7" length instead of the 6.5" stock length) for $40. That's all four u-bolts and nuts. Calls to the Toyota dealer and Napa for OEM replacements gave me prices of $20 per u-bolt!

crafthorse

The add a leafs dont come with the proper length U bolts?

abecedarian

If you have about 1 full turn of a thread showing past the nut, you're fine.
Doesn't matter if you have 55 threads on the bolt showing, what matters is that the nut has all of its threads engaged on the bolt.