thanks! i am really liking the rolled tube also. it will look even better when i get some skins on it! currently i am working on the spare tire mount. i should have that done friday. as far as u bolts goes i havnt had any problems. i only went in three inches on each side so the u bolts are still riding on the same shape of axle tube. the explorer springs measure about 57 inches eye to eye and the centerpin is at 26 inches.
so there basically the same as s10s or mazda springs then. Your u bolts should be fine then I think his wasnt so much that it was wasnt sitting normall it was the leverage the axle had on them without the spring moving at an angle it would just pull threads.
That will look sweet with skins for sure.