Axle U-Bolt flip system,,,

Has anyone made these mounts? It looks like it uses square u-bolts and a couple plates to attach the springs to the axles from below, leaving the nuts up top and out of harms way,,, looks like it frees up some space and leaves less things to smag on rocks, logs and stumps.

 

seems like it would be pretty easy just get a set of square u bolts and some spring perches and another set of spring plates. weld the spring plate to the perches and set them on top of the axle and bolt it down shouldnt even need to weld it to the axle

 

I remember reading an article about doing this using front axle U bolts and mounts from a 1980's Dodge Ramcharger. I have a commercial U bolt flip on my rear axle and really like it. For my front axle a buddy made me some spring plates that are shaped like this -_- so that the nuts are not below the springs.

 

Found it: http://www.jeeptech.com/susp/ubolt.html

 

Yeah, that's an old trick, but it works best with 2.5-inch wide springs. And you don't need to look for only '80s 1/2 tons.

Any Dodge pickup (1/2, 3/4, 1-ton) from '72-'93 or Ramcharger from '74-'93 will have 'em on the rear axle. Can't remember, but I think the Dodge vans used 'em as well.

 

Thanks for the input,,once I get all my other projects/upgrades finished I'll definately look into this if I decide not to go the skidplate option.

 

I picked up some of the rounded Dodge plates as well for my project, and I am running 2.5" springs and Waggy 44's. As Terry mentions in that article, the axle tube diameter for almost all of the Dodge plates I found are greater than even my Waggy 44's, so they don't sit on there perfect and flush. I have a feeling that there might be a bit of play eventually. So I think I'm going to replicate Dynatrac's u-bolt flip system: http://dynatrac.com/products_ubolt.html , which is basically just a plate on top, with two short rods welded underneath to conform to the axle tube.

 

I did this on my Commando front axle.
I am using BDS YJ lifted springs.
I went to a trailer fab shop and had him make my square Ubolts.2.5 wide.

Then I went to a metal supply place and had him shear a couple plates and then had him put a 45* bend on the two ends front and back.
About a .5 inch from the ends
Then I drilled my own holes for the Ubolts.
I had a couple spring perchs, so I welded them on top of the axle and sat the plates on top.

Real solid and almost nothing under the spring's.


You can see it here, they wern't tighten up yet cause I was setting castor still..