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zinc-plated u-bolts

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by evanjm, Jul 24, 2007.

  1. evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    I've got a '50 CJ-3A and I need some new u-bolts. Does anyone know where I can order some zinc-plated u-bolts? I've seen a few of you guys on here running them but have never been able to find ones that fit the small tubes of the early CJs.

    - Evan
     
    evanjm, Jul 24, 2007
    #1
  2. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Evan mine are cad plated (gold looking), which is better. They are from Dorman, I got them at a local auto parts store, not a chain store.
     
    Mcruff, Jul 24, 2007
    #2
  3. evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    anyone know if napa carries the u-bolts?

    - evan
     
    evanjm, Jul 24, 2007
    #3
  4. Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    Napa Auto Parts
    (703) 777-3400
    705 E Market St Ste E
    Leesburg, Virginia 20176
     
    Don X, Jul 24, 2007
    #4
  5. jalbrecht55

    jalbrecht55 Member

    Rancho has an application that fits the flattys. I'm not sure if they are zinc or cad plated, but they do have a yellow-gold finish.

    If you are running all stock springs, you'll want to trim them down about an inch or so.

    Front P/N RS714
    Rear P/N RS711
     
    jalbrecht55, Jul 24, 2007
    #5
  6. Vanguard

    Vanguard Take Off! Staff Member

    yellow gold is the cad finish. you can find the dorman part numbers in this thread - http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23491&highlight=dorman+u-bolt

    The part numbers listed are for the Dana 25/27 which use 3 small and 1 larger u-bolt, while the D44 should use 4 of the smaller (7/16") bolts. IIRC, that is.

    NAPA will carry the bolts, but there's come in a natural steel finish and should be painted after installation. I picked up these bolts at the local carquest.
     
    Vanguard, Jul 25, 2007
    #6
  7. Txjake

    Txjake I wrenched with Sparky

    you can also buy the plain steel ones and spray zinc coating on them. most industrial supply houses have cold zinc or cold galvanize spray. we used to use it on our boat trailers.
     
    Txjake, Jul 25, 2007
    #7
  8. jalbrecht55

    jalbrecht55 Member

     
    jalbrecht55, Jul 25, 2007
    #8
  9. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    The 'gold' is a surface treatment, and is called iridescent cad (or zinc?) plating.

    "After electroplating, and heat treatment if required, a chromate conversion coating is usually applied, giving the coating its well known iridescent green/brown appearance. A chromate conversion coating adds corrosion resistance and the protective value increases with the mass of the coating. A thin conversion coating can maintain a bright as-plated finish and does not appreciably affect the electrical conductivity of the surface nor its solderability."

    http://www.poeton.co.uk/w1/cadmium.htm

    Uncoated zinc or cadmium plating will be silvery, like the unalloyed metal.
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2007
    timgr, Jul 25, 2007
    #9
  10. Txjake

    Txjake I wrenched with Sparky

    that is a cool web site you linked to.......
     
    Txjake, Jul 25, 2007
    #10
  11. chasm

    chasm New Member

    Evan:
    You gonna be riding that rig on the beach or somewhere near saltwater? :?
    Just curious. Last week I replaced the original rear U-bolts on my CJ3A with new black steel ones from Walck's. The originals were a little banged up on the ends, but did their duty for 56 years (without any kind of coating) and would still be useable as trail spares.
    Mike
     
    chasm, Jul 25, 2007
    #11
  12. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    R&P has been stocking gold zinc (cad?) plated ones also if you don't find some. 503-557-8911. Nickmil
     
    nickmil, Jul 31, 2007
    #12