U bolt flip really necessary?

Has anyone actually had clearance issues or scraped the u bolts on the rear leaf springs in stock configuration?
They seem kind of out of the way already. Trying to decide how necessary/unnecessary the flip kit is.
I don’t do any super serious off roading or rock crawling, just mainly whatever road leads to a good dispersed camping spot and somewhat easy trails.
Just replaced my worn out stock suspension all around, but didn’t do the u bolt flip or upgrade bump stops

 

flip is not needed for you. but if you are lifted then I would consider bumpstops front and back

 

You're probably fine stock. Most of us probably are tbh, but the flip kits come with better bump stop options, and the stock bumps suck. You'd know if you hit them, they are pretty abrupt. If you're not hitting them then you can probably rock the fully stock setup and be happy.

With that said, I would recommend the Archive Garage yellow speed bumps for most anyone (comes as part of their flip kit) unless you needed additional weight capacity from the bumps, in which case I'd say to check out the Sumo's.

 

Depends on your terrain and tolerance of what if scenarios.
"Could" catch on big rocks, pop you off your line up a trail.
"Could" drag mud, rocks, or roots in deep ruts making it harder to pull through.

I installed flip just because it was easy and not that expensive when i was going to already have ubolts off anyway.

 

Most people just keep them normal, but if you have to buy new u-bolts for lifted leaf springs (because they're thicker), usually it's not much more for a flip kit with new bump stops at the same time. Any extra clearance is worth it for a few bucks more, and if you're in the sort of terrain where they can get caught. Usually in really rutted and rooted trails, like in the PNW is where I've seen that extra clearance helpful, or in the rocks.

 

When I did my dobinsons 112's I was changing bumps at the same time and the flip kit was only 60$ over replacing the u bolts so why not. I definitely did turn my others into mud dredges a few time last year, and not having lockers I'll take any little advantage I can in those situations

 

For me the flip kit is cheap insurance. Really we all should have nothing hanging down under the axle tube. According to your description of how you use your truck, most probably not necessary. It really depends on you want to build. I tend to over build for what I do because I want to have the least amount of issues on a trail or a long camping session.

I always get a chuckle with all the monster trucks around here that have 6 inch screws hanging under the axle tube. Nothing says I don't off road and had a terrible shop install this spacer lift like 8 inch blocks in the rear with super low hanging screws.

Just a thought. now you guys will start to notice it too.

 

I would wait until I was having consistent clearance issues attributed to the bolts before changing anything. Its not likely to ruin your whole weekend if you get hung up on them.

 

This pretty much sums it up for me! I certainly don’t want to drag bolts. And, the flip kit does look way better.

 

i have the archive garage flip kit with their bumpstop. easy to install and I was looking to upgrade my bumpstops anyways. I would definitely recommend. Plus i think it makes the axle look a little neater if you are into the looks