Ford Leaf sprung front axle part question

[kert0307]

What is this part called? It is what the square ubolts bolt through since the diff is too close to the knuckles so it can't use regular u bolts over the axle tube. I need to track one down to finish up my B2's SAS.

 

[rookieshooter]

Maybe these people can help.
Are talking about the square part that is casted on the axle that comes with leaf springs or the bottom plate that the U-bolts go thru?

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/ubolts-plates-c-15.html?page=2&sort=2a

 

[kert0307]

I need the bottom plate that is formed to go around the cast part of the diff. It is not like a normal flat u bolt plate.

 

[kert0307]

Bump, still looking

This might help, it is the front of a chevy D60. See how there is no way to put a regular leaf spring bolt and plate? The Chevy and Dodge trucks tapped the diff and use regular bolts. Ford used a plate and square u-bolts from the top down.

If I can't find a "stock plate" I may trim the diff gusset like this so I can use round u-bolts

 

[kert0307]

These pictures show the plate I'm looking for. (pictures from Mr. N's Axle info http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44_3.htm)

 

[rookieshooter]

Use the standard round leaf spring bolts. And do the U-bolt flip thing.
May have to grind a little off the lower casting.
I'll take a look at mine and see if it looks feasible. I have some round U bolts laying around.
In the link below you can see the bottom webbing is notched for the left hand side.
http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/axle/yjrcdana44/finished.jpg

Also see if this site might help as far as bolts.

http://www.stengelbros.com/U-bolts.htm

Here is my 79 F150 D44 with the top casting for the leaf spring. But with my link mounts welded on.
I even had to grind a little webbing off the top for my top plate to sit.
Just flip your spring bolts. Where you see the bottom bolt that I placed near the bolts that run thru the casting is where the original bolts came down from the top. But flip the bolts using the new round bolts and come thru bottom. Only thing you will have to grind some of the lower webbing off on that side.
The link I posted is the same axle with the flip and grind thing done. Notice how the bolts are so much longer. Obviously different bolts then stock.
May have to get some generic top plate, or modify the one you got, no big deal here.

 

[kert0307]

Ok, you convinced me. I'm going to cut into the web to use round u bolts. I'm planning on using these local guys as I've done business with them before at work. Rockauto is a distributor for them, so I may just order a stock size through them.

http://www.huskyspring.com/