A body 8 3/4" u bolt question

[junkyardhero]

I think you get the point.

i hear ya cluckin' big chicken

 

[Dana67Dart]

Here is some info....
The U bolts are called "Clips"

17-15-1

They came in several length for A Bodies

Interestingly there is no indication of 7 1/4 vs 8 3/4

 

[RustyRatRod]

Here is some info....
The U bolts are called "Clips"

17-15-1
View attachment 1716338555

They came in several length for A Bodies

View attachment 1716338556

Interestingly there is no indication of 7 1/4 vs 8 3/4

Several lengths. Just like we been mentioning. Thanks!

 

[townsend]

Back to the original question, its possible that 73-76 Abody 8 1/4 U-bolts got mixed in with the earlier 8 3/4 U-bolts. The width is the same and the length does not change by much.
7 inches long for the 8 3/4.
6 5/8 inches long for the 8 1/4.
The info from post #52 can be deceiving.
2071771 and 2071787 are for 7 1/4 differentials.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Back to the original question, its possible that 73-76 Abody 8 1/4 U-bolts got mixed in with the earlier 8 3/4 U-bolts. The width is the same and the length does not change by much.
7 inches long for the 8 3/4.
6 5/8 inches long for the 8 1/4.
The info from post #52 can be deceiving.
2071771 and 2071787 are for 7 1/4 differentials.

When did the 8 1/4 come out though?

 

[townsend]

In post 1 he said "supposedly" these were factory original to car.
Many things can happen over a 50-55 year time span.

 

[RustyRatRod]

In post 1 he said "supposedly" these were factory original to car.
Many things can happen over a 50-55 year time span.

I agree 100%, all I was gettin at was his is a 68. Was Chrysler using the 8 1/4 that early? At any rate, it doesn't matter, as there were several lengths as we've discussed. It's just another cool thing to see. I think the chances of that happening today are still there, although probably a lot less. lol

 

[townsend]

Nice to see another night owl.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Nice to see another night owl.

I've actually been sleeping good lately. I just wanted to stay up for some reason. lol

 

[Demonx2]

Does anybody know...what grade bolt were the original U-bolts supposed to be? Were they grade 5 or grade 8 or ?? The shock absorber load alone could be quite high. Curious if anyone knows.

 

[Bodyperson]

Does anybody know...what grade bolt were the original U-bolts supposed to be? Were they grade 5 or grade 8 or ?? The shock absorber load alone could be quite high. Curious if anyone knows.

I just cut some off with a cut off wheel. The sparks suggest they are fairly low carbon.

 

[cosgig]

I agree 100%, all I was gettin at was his is a 68. Was Chrysler using the 8 1/4 that early? At any rate, it doesn't matter, as there were several lengths as we've discussed. It's just another cool thing to see. I think the chances of that happening today are still there, although probably a lot less. lol

Yes, the 8 1/4” could be found under pedestrian B body’s as early as 1968.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I'm pretty sure we have beaten this dead horse to death, but....

(The 7 1/4 came off my 67 Dart and is the original put on, on the assembly line)


7 1/4 - 8 3/4 short - 8 3/4 long

7 1/4

8 3/4 short

8 3/4 long

An interesting thing about the 7 1/4...

The two sides are not the same length.
And the threaded section is two different lengths as well.

I mention this as the manufacturing process was not too precise.

The threads on one side are 2 1/2

The other side is 2 1/4

Factory nuts
7 1/4 8 3/4

This is how the Mancini racing 6 5/8" restoration u bolts fit on my 8 3/4 with 6 leaf rear springs.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Yes, the 8 1/4” could be found under pedestrian B body’s as early as 1968.

Cool. Thanks Geoff! That's probably the answer.