U-Bolt flip kits and bump stops

Trying to decide on a u-bolt flip kit for my 2nd gen. There are few variations of plates, bolts and bumpstops. Seems the sky's the limit on bumpstops but I don't need hydraulic dampened bumpstops.

Starting with the cheapest is Toytec's U-bolt flip kit. This does not appear to be tapped for installing a two bolt bump stop on top of the plate like other flip kits. All Pro's U-bolt flip kit. Cheapest bumpstops I found to be compatible to mount on top of plate were Energy Suspension's 2 Bolt Style Bumpstops (140053-1-KIT) at Low Range Off-Road. http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/energy-suspension-bumpstops-9-types-sold-in-pairs.html

Low Range Off-Road's U-bolt flip kit using Wheeler's Superbump front bump stops directly onto Low Range's plates. I didn't see measurements for front and rear bump stops, but they look the same height. The front ones just have a single bolt in the back and height can be adjusted with the use of spacers. Will have to research this option further.
http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...lt-flip-plate-kit-bumpstop-style-tsp-bsp.html
All Pro's U-bolt flip kit with Wheeler's Superbumps bumpstops are marginally cheaper than the Timbren. Have to buy separately Timbren U-bolt flip kit, it includes Timbren bump stops with what looks like the Toytec U-bolt flip kit but with a black plate but based on the pictures they look thicker than Toytec's plates. Low Range Off-Road's U-bolt flip kit, which can be customized based on needs but with the Energy Suspension Low Competition bump stops and U-bolts came out to exactly the same price of the Timbren U-bolt flip kit sold by Wheeler's.
http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...lt-flip-plate-kit-bumpstop-style-tsp-bsp.html

All Pro's U-bolt flip kit with Timbren. Low Range Off-Road's U-bolt flip kit with Sumo Spring Bumpstops is the most expensive and seems to include the largest diameter U-bolts advertised at 5/8" instead of 9/16" like others.
http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...lts-by-low-range-off-road-tsp-bs-ssf-kit.html

One thing not mentioned much is thickness of plate. I don't feel the plate is the source of failure but rather the hardware holding the plate to axle. I'm pretty sure that all plates are between 1/4" to 1/2" thick. Only Low Range's Sumo Spring Bumpstop U-bolt flip kit advertised larger diameter U-bolts, however I'm unsure whether these same bolts are sold separately. I assume but they do say, "Must use 14MM, 9/16" or 5/8" Ubolts with a minimum 3.25" Inner diameter to work properly such as our kit shown above" on their U-bolt plate and hardware page.

U-bolts and plates seem pretty standard, except Toytec's which isn't tapped for bolts and Low Range's which looks like a more versatile design. As far as bumpstops are Sumo Springs really worth that much more? Between Wheeler's Superbumps and Timbren, which of those bump stops are better? Or should I just go cheap and get the Energy Suspension bump stops?

 

Ok, I've found out that the superbump bumpstops are different durometers front and rear. Also found out they both have a 3/8" hole in the back. The Low Range U bolt plates hole in center is also 3/8". I will probably go this route as they seem just as good as the Timbren's and cost $14-15 less. I believe the front superbumps are also cheaper than Timbren's equivalents. I also like that Low Range offers 5/8" bolts instead of 9/16" bolts if that matters. Just thought I would compile the different U bolt flip kits and bumpstop options into one thread as I haven't seen one here.

 

One point of feedback: I installed the All-Pro U-bolt flip kit with Wheelers bump stops a couple weeks ago. The threads on the flip plate for bolting down the bump stops had poorly cut threads. My friend and I had to completely cut new threads in the plate to get the supplied bolts to work. It wasn't bad given that we had the tools to do this on hand, but it was certainly a surprise!

 

We are sorry to hear that! Glad you were able to get it taken care of.

 

What failures?

 

When I was doing a google search one of the first websites I found (independent fabrication shop) said that they were proud to use thicker U-bolt plates, instead of thinner ones. I think since they were a small shop they were just trying to justify a reason why someone would choose theirs over more common kits. Pretty sure any failure of a u-bolt flip kit would be using blocks rather than a leaf based lift, but the failure would be because of the blocks not the u bolt plate or u bolts.

 

No matter which route you go wheelers super bumps front and rear should be your bumps of choice. For simplicity reasons you can go all pro u bolt kit as they make a plate to mount directly onto, others can be modified to work but this is the simplest setup.

 

@YotaDan can you or anyone tell me if the all pro u bolt flip plates are drilled to fit 5/8" u bolts or what size fits it?

 

Their kit comes with 9/16" Bolts.

 

I got the Toytec flip kit and the Wheeler's Super bumps for the All Pro flip kit. I got this one because it came with the hardware then I just just marked the holes, drilled and then tapped them. The tap cost me about $6 from Lowe's if I remember correctly. The whole process including install took me under 2 hours start to finish. I didn't like drilling a hole in the frame side and putting the Energy Suspension 2.5" bump stop on there. I just didn't like the way it sits in there and would rather have this set up. Plus I read nothing but good things about the super bumps and so far I have no complaints.

 

Just got this today

 

Same route I'm going

 

These are what I installed. Mine had black powder coated plates though. Enjoy.

 

How are you liking them? What leaf packs are you running?

 

So far happy with them. I plan to do the fronts as well. Mine came with the crappy powder coating. I sanded them Dow, primed, then bed lined. I hope it holds up. I figure my dakars will get rust before the plates do. I have a friend who is using them on an xterra and he loves and swears by them.

 

I'm running into the same issue, in fact the holes in my all-pro plates aren't even threaded at all. I'm at work now and didn't have time to last night to run to the hardware store. What size tap will I need to get?

 

Wow... All Pro not doing their quality control. Gotta check my plate since I got it yesterday

 

I just got the same kit. I grabbed the bolts, put some ballistol on the bolts and ran them in to the holes slowly. Two holes were good and two were tight!

 

Updates: my All Pro U-bolt Flip kit worked as described. Total bolt on affair with no issues