leaf spring u-bolt/plate problem
The 7.25 axle has 2.5" tubes, the 8.25 & 8.75 axle has 3" tubes. The shock plates will have holes to accomodate either 2.5" or 3" u-bolts depending on the axle used.
When I swapped the 7.25 axle for an 8.25 in my Barracuda I elongated the holes in the shock plate by 1/4" to the outside to accept the 3" u-bolts.
Also, I got the u-bolts at NAPA for about $5 each.