Pushing Rear Axle Back - WH Extreme Duty U-Bolt Plates (Write-up Added 10/26)

[ILikeBond]

I'm planning on pushing my rear axle back an inch, but had a couple questions.

My understanding is that I will need to drill another hole in both the perches and upper spring plates. Is this correct?

For the upper spring plates, I have WildHorse's Extreme Duty U-Bolt Kit. These things are meaty! They are 5/8" think steel. I simply have no way of drilling through these - I don't have a drill press, and even if I wanted to buy one, it'd have to be pretty big to accomodate the required bit (the center hole is just under 1"). I know a hand drill is not going to happen - it'd be too hard to keep it straight and square, and probaly take hours.

So my question is, assuming I'm correct that this needs to be done - any suggestions on this? I called a machine shop and they said they weren't interested. Does anyone know any shops in San Diego that would be willing to do this simple job?

Alternatively, is there anyone in San Diego who maybe has a serious drill press and is willing to to help a Bronco Brother out?

Any other ideas?

Finally, just want to double check - drilling another ~1" hole an inch away won't hurt the structural integrity of the plate, correct?

Thanks!

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

Get on SoCal broncos message board, that is your best option. Also I'd just weld them on but that's me.

 

[ILikeBond]

I posted over there, thought I'd double up, but I also wanted to make sure my understanding of what I need to do is correct before I go hacking up the plates.

Thanks, Raptor.

 

[Rustytruck]

You could use a hole saw with a hand drill if necessary. Use a bi-metallic blade like a lenox. Run it slow with oil on it. It will take a while but will get it done.

 

[ILikeBond]

Well I called WildHorses to get the correct measurement for the center hole on the spring plate (13/16ths), but they advised I only need to drill the perches, not the plates, saying they'll move back with the spring. This was kind of my initial inclination, too, but I found some information on here saying that both need to be re-drilled.

(See Post #s 8 and 10 here, and Post #s 4 and 5 here.)

Can anyone say definitively which way it is? Do I need to drill the upper spring plates or not? I'm confused! ?:?

Thanks!

 

[Desert Thrasher]

If i understand what you are saying, then WH is correct, you don't need to drill the upper plates.
I am in Escondido, if you do need to drill them I can do it at my shop on a mill. But I dont think you need them drilled.

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[Action]

Both

When I did mine I did both 1 1/2" so far so good.
Jack

 

[ILikeBond]

If i understand what you are saying, then WH is correct, you don't need to drill the upper plates.
I am in Escondido, if you do need to drill them I can do it at my shop on a mill. But I dont think you need them drilled.

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Thanks, Thrasher!

So maybe it's optional, since it seems to work either way

I think what I'll do is mock it up without re-drilling spring plates, and if I find then that it doesn't work for some reason, I may very well hit you up on that generous offer. Appreciate it!

Any other input?

 

[Rox Crusher]

We have done 2 or 3 of these in Colorado, using the WH extreme kit.

We have always drilled both plates.

I suppose you could drill just the perch but I assume it might be more difficult to line up the u-bolts for installation.

We have been able to get small machine shops to drill the thick plates.

 

[ILikeBond]

OK, well from what I gather from various sources, including responses in this thread, it seems like re-drilling the upper spring plate is not necessarily required, but re-drilling it may help fitment and there's really no downside to it. If nothing else, it provides a little more adjustability. I was able to find a guy at a small local machine shop that would do it for a few bucks and a 4-pack of Heineken cans. So while I really apprecaite the offer, Thrasher, it won't be necessary (Escondido is a bit of a haul, otherwise I'd be all over it).

Thanks for all the advice and input.

 

[Desert Thrasher]

Thats cool, glad you found a shop to do it.

 

[Crawdad]

We want pictures of every step! Please!!!! From machine shop to final install!

 

[ILikeBond]

Sure, will do.

 

[WILDHORSES]

Just to add some clarification about the drill just the perch or drill perch and plate. You can do either. If you only drill the perch the u-bolts will be at a slight angle. This is the way Nik did his just a week or so ago.

We have noticed this becoming more popular so we will most likely just add the hole in our plates in the next batch.

 

[70 Steed]

I could swear I saw another thread on here about this. Someone posted a link to a vendor selling the spring perches that move the axel back one inch.

I'm interested in doing this also. I'm assuming that you have to lengthen the rear driveline an inch, correct?

 

[ransil]

Ruff stuff had spring pads with multiple holes in them

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[ILikeBond]

I could swear I saw another thread on here about this. Someone posted a link to a vendor selling the spring perches that move the axel back one inch.

I'm interested in doing this also. I'm assuming that you have to lengthen the rear driveline an inch, correct?

Good memory, it's in one of the threads I linked to in post #5 above.

Here are the links to Ruff Stuff pre-drilled Spring Perches and Off Road Design "Zero Rate" Add-a-Leafs, which are designed to help move the axle, but you'd still need a spring plate too.

As far as the drive shaft, my understanding is "maybe" or "depends" (I think you just have to measure and see).

 

[ILikeBond]

Just to add some clarification about the drill just the perch or drill perch and plate. You can do either. If you only drill the perch the u-bolts will be at a slight angle. This is the way Nik did his just a week or so ago.

We have noticed this becoming more popular so we will most likely just add the hole in our plates in the next batch.

Cool. The new WildHorses Extreme ILikeBond U-Bolt Plates! Yes? ;D

 

[greatguy57078]

I work in the tool room at work. I am just going to make new plates and drill the holes in the perch back further. What do you guys recommend ... 1.0" or 1.5"?

 

[broncobsession]

Dunno, but make sure you taper them so you don't fracture your leafs under flex.