I just received my 3" RC lift today and am going to start installing it as soon as I get my oil pan gasket changed. My question is, I didnt receive any u bolts with the kit. I obviously am not using the old ones, does it matter what size u bolts i get from the auto parts store since i'll have an add a leaf in there, or are they the same as factory?

Also, I do have air tools, but will I need a spring comressor?

thanks,
travis

 

Umm you should have gotten new ubolts with the kit. I would call them and make them either 2 day or overnight them to you. Yes it does matter what size, they must be the right size for you axle and long enough to fit the new leaf packs. D35 is 2 3/4" wide at the curve and the 8.25 axle is 3" at the curve.

 

X2^ and you dont necisarily need a spring compressor it just makes it a little easier i did my 3" lift without the compressor and it wasnt to hard just need to muscle those springs in there

 

i got my ubolts off by hand. just need some muscle, PB blaster, and a breaker bar.

look at your parts list that came with the lift and compare it to how they list it on the site you purchased it from, normally most all lift kits come with new ubolts, call them and tell them you need them. if they give you any grief about it and say they're not going to give you new ones you can always buy some at your local auto parts store or order some online. but if it were me I'd call and complain until they sent me some haha.

 

thanks peoples, i appreciate the responses. i called rough country today and they said they dont send new u bolts with the 3" xj add a leaf. he said to just the same size as factory, that there would be plenty of threads on em. i guess ill be finding out soon enough.

also, does anyone have any good ideas on getting my sludged up, stuck on, oil pan off?
ive doused it in penetrating lube, pounded, chisseled, and pulled on it.
it wont budge for nothin.

thanks again,
travis

 

I just ordered my 3" RC AAL kit and it says in the description includes new U-bolts. If I don't get any I am going to call and complain. When you ordered yours was there anything in there about the U-bolts (the E-Bay listing I looked at and almost ordered from did not list them so I figured they were not included). The listing I ordered mine from did not say anything about new leaf spring clamps so I am assuming I need to get some when I rebuild my spring packs.

~K

 

Yea dude If you ordered from RC themselves than I would call and say send me new u-bolts or I'll send back the kit, you should never re-use the old u-bolts they are to inexpensive to not use new ones and be safe! As for the front coils springs yes you should use a spring compressor you can buy them at harbor freight for $10-$15

 

Try Autozone for spring compressor- mine has them for $5 rental but if you ask they will waive the $5 fee (if you buy other stuff like for an oil/trans fluid change).

~K

 

it doesnt say the kit includes new u bolts on the web site or in any of the paperwork. ill just find out if the factory ones will work, rough country says they will. they dont cost that much. im just going to get all new nuts and bolts for the shocks since some of them were kind of rounded off.
it did come with new spring clamps tho.

 

the factory ones will work just fine

 

The 3" kit doesnt come w/ Ubolts when i installed my new OEM leafs i used my old ubolts

bottom line if you want to get new ones than go ahead but its not needed unless there really messed up.

Good luck w/ your install

 

just make sure you don't get those cheap U-bolts for China unless you want you axle to fall out.

 

WRONG

when you tighten the u-bolts on your rig or when it was installed from the factory, the bolt itself will stretch some. it may look fine but from years of use , dirt, rust, water, and abuse, there may be cracks your not seeing. i removed a set of u-bolts on a duece and was able to see them twist with tension (alot of tension lol) on them and then twist back when released.

why trust your life and everyone elses on the road for re-installing a part that should have been replaced for cheap?

i buy all my u-bolts from http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/index.php

 

X2 just go buy new ones man they are not expensive and it is just the better way to do it.