can I cut the U bolts to make them shorter?

[will e]

Okay.. I know I CAN cut them but is there a down side?

After installing Rusty's lift the ends of the U bolts in the front are about as low as the diff housing. I was thinking I might cut an inch or so off. Looks like something that could smack a rock

What do you all think?

[Kaiserjeeps]

Can you say sawzall and eye protection!!! Go for it....Kaiserjeeps...(Al)...

[mdill]

as long as there is plenty of thread, and you do not heat them up to bad
in the cutting process then cutting is fine even desirable as long bolts hanging
down are an invitation to being broken off by the first big rock they meet.

Leave at least 2 full threads out passed the nut , has been what I use as
a referance on cutting.

DO NOT EVER TRY AND CUT NEW OR MORE THREADS IN TO A CRITICLY LOADED
BOLT !!! (threads are best rolled not cut, for a mission critical bolt a cut
thread will provide lots of nice stress risers for cracks to start)

Mike D.

[will e]

I will leave a little more than a couple of threads. I can do this while they are on the truck can't I?

[Bob Barry]

Sure; this is a way to gain some free ground-clearance. I cut mine flush with the nuts; the extra threads aren't doing anything. All thread past the nut is game.