Pro's/Con's of Drop Leafs VS Flip Kit if you Tow sometimes
09-11-2013, 03:42 PM
#11
F150 SUSPENSION GURU
I'm not saying you can't get some that aren't stronger but my comment about your payload now being determined by the strength of the U-Bolts is true. It's just physics when you flip them like that. Instead of the leafs pushing on the axle they are now pushing down on the U-Bolts.
When you flip them the axle and springs are literally trying to push away from each other when you load the truck down. Only thing holding them together is the U-Bolts.
When you flip them the axle and springs are literally trying to push away from each other when you load the truck down. Only thing holding them together is the U-Bolts.
how many trucks have you lowered that had issues with u bolts on the flip kit?
09-11-2013, 05:35 PM
#12
I'm gonna give my 2 cents because I have had both over the years. First off, regardless of the way its dropped whether it be leafs or flip kit, 5" is 5".....One wont be any closer from the frame to the axle compared to the other on equal drops. Now as far as towing goes, if I were going to tow a decent amount, I would choose a flip kit with some air bags....Reason being with drop springs and the springs on top, your only option to tow a lot is a c-notch, because the springs are too close to the frame for room to bolt an airbag kit to. I chose leafs because I am more performance oriented and I don't trust the flip kit in a street/strip vehicle because of the perches not being welded to the axle.....
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CALM Trucking (09-11-2013)
09-11-2013, 06:54 PM
#14
I Like Tires
If your U-Bolts have 10,000lbs tensile strength than obviously you have nothing to worry about. If they only have 500lbs tensile strength than obviously a problem could occur.
All I'm trying to do is get the OP to ask questions and check on things like this so he doesn't get screwed down the line.
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CALM Trucking (09-11-2013)
09-14-2013, 02:29 AM
#15
F150 SUSPENSION GURU
he wont get screwed. Do a flip dont do leafs on teh 04 up trucks this and this comes with almost 10 years experience on them when i did my first 04 truck in late 03 with leafs.
09-14-2013, 04:22 PM
#16
Paving the Way
Thread Starter
What was your biggest beef with the Leafs? Ive only had the Flip kits so far.. Was it just the Ride that you thought sucked or was it anything else?
09-14-2013, 05:12 PM
#17
F150 SUSPENSION GURU
ride quality after a month of driving on them horrible and just gets worse and worse
Broken leafs on the ground force that they didnt cover for 2 trucks
Massive loss in tow capacity
Broken leafs on the ground force that they didnt cover for 2 trucks
Massive loss in tow capacity
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CALM Trucking (09-15-2013)
09-22-2013, 12:05 PM
#18
Senior Member
FX2 07 with DJM 3/5 drop (flip kit) + rear sway bar
Not riding on the bump stop(the stock one get replace by pancake one in the kit)
I have AirLift SlamAir helper bag when towing...but I don't put any more air then the 10psi recommended unless loading more then 400lbs (my DRZ400 + gear)
No issue whatever I need to haul when airing up the bag....even 2000lbs of black earth for a 5 miles, and I was not riding the bump stop either.
I tow my 7000lbs toyhauler (1000lbs in the hitch + 3-400lbs of stuff in the bed) to michigan and back (from montreal) which give me a 3000miles vacation.
Been towing my trailer for 2 year ont the drop and it handle great (using 750lbs equalizer hitch..not even the biggest 1000lbs one)
good luck doing that with flemsy drop leaf!
Not riding on the bump stop(the stock one get replace by pancake one in the kit)
I have AirLift SlamAir helper bag when towing...but I don't put any more air then the 10psi recommended unless loading more then 400lbs (my DRZ400 + gear)
No issue whatever I need to haul when airing up the bag....even 2000lbs of black earth for a 5 miles, and I was not riding the bump stop either.
I tow my 7000lbs toyhauler (1000lbs in the hitch + 3-400lbs of stuff in the bed) to michigan and back (from montreal) which give me a 3000miles vacation.
Been towing my trailer for 2 year ont the drop and it handle great (using 750lbs equalizer hitch..not even the biggest 1000lbs one)
good luck doing that with flemsy drop leaf!
09-22-2013, 12:08 PM
#19
F150 SUSPENSION GURU
im just trying to save guys headaches. Ive done both set ups many times and there is a reason i no longer sell any aftermarket lowering leaf set up.
09-22-2013, 02:39 PM
#20
not true. ive never in almost 20 years had a u bolt break. ive towed and hauled stuff many times also my customers. tow rating stays the same. now on drop leafs they sag and ride suffers. you lose a lot of tow capacity also.
flip kit all the way wil, ride better also
flip kit all the way wil, ride better also
FX2 07 with DJM 3/5 drop (flip kit) + rear sway bar
Not riding on the bump stop(the stock one get replace by pancake one in the kit)
I have AirLift SlamAir helper bag when towing...but I don't put any more air then the 10psi recommended unless loading more then 400lbs (my DRZ400 + gear)
No issue whatever I need to haul when airing up the bag....even 2000lbs of black earth for a 5 miles, and I was not riding the bump stop either.
I tow my 7000lbs toyhauler (1000lbs in the hitch + 3-400lbs of stuff in the bed) to michigan and back (from montreal) which give me a 3000miles vacation.
Been towing my trailer for 2 year ont the drop and it handle great (using 750lbs equalizer hitch..not even the biggest 1000lbs one)
good luck doing that with flemsy drop leaf!
Not riding on the bump stop(the stock one get replace by pancake one in the kit)
I have AirLift SlamAir helper bag when towing...but I don't put any more air then the 10psi recommended unless loading more then 400lbs (my DRZ400 + gear)
No issue whatever I need to haul when airing up the bag....even 2000lbs of black earth for a 5 miles, and I was not riding the bump stop either.
I tow my 7000lbs toyhauler (1000lbs in the hitch + 3-400lbs of stuff in the bed) to michigan and back (from montreal) which give me a 3000miles vacation.
Been towing my trailer for 2 year ont the drop and it handle great (using 750lbs equalizer hitch..not even the biggest 1000lbs one)
good luck doing that with flemsy drop leaf!
Here are some pics loaded with groundforce drop leafs and 2" drop shackles....Over 600 lbs in the bed and still 1.5" off the belltech bump stops which are a little longer than the pancake bump stops. Normally I have this one in the bed and another on the trailer with fuel and such. Been riding fine for 2 years.
Last edited by 02reaper; 09-22-2013 at 02:56 PM.