My entire rig is made of things functioning in some way other than that for which they were designed. On the front, I used the plates with the shock mount under the factory spring perch and the big, thick plate on top of the spring which is now on top of the axle. On the rear, since I have swapped out the axle, I only used the big plate on top of the springs.
you know i just had to join when i read these post about the plates bending, i have this kit and have abused the rear springs alot with heavy trailer tounge weights and rough roads and can only say that the design of them leaves nothing to be desired. the only way i could bend mine would require the replacement of my entire spring pack. the leverage at that point would be so great i believe my axle tube would also suffer distortion. Hmm 1/2 plate machined to 3/8 thick maybe 5/16 on a 1.1" fulcrum backed by about 3.5" of spring, if it bends i think you will need more than a new ubolt plate
you know i just had to join when i read these post about the plates bending, i have this kit and have abused the rear springs alot with heavy trailer tounge weights and rough roads and can only say that the design of them leaves nothing to be desired. the only way i could bend mine would require the replacement of my entire spring pack. the leverage at that point would be so great i believe my axle tube would also suffer distortion. Hmm 1/2 plate machined to 3/8 thick maybe 5/16 on a 1.1" fulcrum backed by about 3.5" of spring, if it bends i think you will need more than a new ubolt plate
First off, welcome to the institution inmate 60LCConvert!
Unfortunately, the fact still stands that many people have had issues with these plates bending (either top or bottom). I know mine have bent, and never would've expected it by just looking at them...
The bottom plate bends right where its weakest; at the grove made for the U bolt. It's not like it bends 1/4", but mine were pushed down about 1/16" after several years of torture. I have seen top plates bent from tightening the bolts down, mine never did that although very slight flexing is visible.
I am not affiliated with 4+ or Man-A-Fre. However, I do feel this looks like a very good quality kit that I would not hesitate to put on my truck. I just don't have the extra $300 or so to do it.
Hmmm. Don't know that. I had never considered that the U bolt itself could be to blame. Whatever the case, I offer it as my opinion that it is a nice product, but could stand to have an extra plate welded to the bottom plate and drilled for the centering pin to avoind getting tweeked. Or just do the inevitable and go spring over.
This thread is worthless without pic of a bended bottom plate. If you were able to bend it, get your spring replaced....and tight those u bolt. I just cannot imagine how it can bend if the ubolt sit in the groove correctly.
Mine has taken ALOT of abuse, i mean........well, i have to post picture. The Ubolt must be grinded flush to the plate now.
the whole idea of the flip kit was to increase clearance. Do you really want to add 3/8" to the underside.
The bottom plate will logically conform to the arc of the spring, but it is mild steel and won't suffer from the distortion
Hmmm. Don't know that. I had never considered that the U bolt itself could be to blame. Whatever the case, I offer it as my opinion that it is a nice product, but could stand to have an extra plate welded to the bottom plate and drilled for the centering pin to avoind getting tweeked. Or just do the inevitable and go spring over.
