U-BOLT FLIP KIT WITH SUMOSPRINGSFOR 2ND & 3RD GEN TACOMA

INSTALLATION GUIDE, REVIEW & OVERVIEW

by Konrad Chojnowski of TrailTacoma.com

THE NEW SUPERSPRINGS INTERNATIONAL U-BOLT FLIP KIT WITH BLUE SUMOSPRINGS BUMP STOPS FOR 2ND & 3RD GEN TACOMA

We all know that certain parts or modifications that we do to our Tacomas are out of necessity, and not just because they are flashy and look cool. Sometimes you don’t even get to see the parts unless you go crawling around under your rig. Things like skid plates, add-a-leaf kits, upper control arms, U-Bolt flip kits, and the topic of this article: rear bump stops. Specifically, we will be looking at SuperSprings International’s SumoSprings which they refer to as a “bump stop replacement” but for simplicity, we’ll refer to them as bump stops.

They may not be a glamorous part of your truck, but they can make a signi cant improvement in ride quality, stability, and overall performance when compared to the factory Toyota bump stops. They also help supplement the load-carrying capacity of your 3rd

Gen Tacoma. If you think of it like that, it’s hard to see why they so o en get overlooked. Unless you tow pretty regularly or are looking into suspension lifts, then you probably haven’t even thought about a bump stop upgrade for your Tacoma.

In this article, I’ll cover what bump stops are, what they do, and why you may need or want to upgrade yours.

WHY ADD A U-BOLT FLIP KIT?

The answer here is super simple. If you’re modifying your truck to hit the trails, you want to get all the clearance and protection possible.

This U-bolt flip does two main things. One, increases ground clearance (which decreases the potential for catching components on rocks, etc.) and two, protects the U-bolt threads.

The upgraded bump stops serve a handful of purposes such as reducing the sag while under load, reducing sway, increasing the truck’s load carrying capacity, increasing stabilization, and protecting against hard bottom outs.

TOOLS & MATERIALS

This install doesn’t require too many tools, and SSI provides you with everything you need in terms of hardware.

In regards to tools, you’ll need the following.

> Wheel Chocks

> Floor Jack

> Jack Stands

> Mechanic’s Tool Set (deep socket for U-bolt nuts)

> Metric Allen Key Set

STEP 1. REMOVE WHEEL & SUPPORT TRUCK SAFELY

The first step is simple. Jack your truck up and toss some jack stands underneath it for support. Throw your tire under the truck for good measure. Chock the wheels.

STEP 2. REMOVE OEM U-BOLTS & BUMP STOP

The U-bolts hold the leaf springs to the axle. The U-bolts also hold the bump stop in place.

A close-up of the OEM bump stop and a ermarket U-bolts from Ironman 4X4. The Ironman leaf pack is much larger than factory and requires a new set of U-bolts. In any case, this kit comes with new U-bolts that are long enough to accommodate even the thickest leaf springs. So you won’t need to save anything, no matter what.

To remove the factory setup, identify the nuts that hold the U-bolts to the axle. You will need a deep socket to remove them. Remove the four nuts entirely, and then take o the U-bolts, the mounting plate and bump stop.

This is what the leaf spring and axle look like with all the parts removed. The bolt in the middle will help you center the new mounting plate.

You won't need any of these parts anymore. Dispose of them properly.

STEP 3: INSTALL NEW U-BOLTS & MOUNTING PLATES

Grab the provided U-bolts, four nuts and washers, and the new mounting plate. Make sure to center all of it correctly before tightening down. You really want to make sure all the parts are mounted the right way so you don't have any shifting or failures.

Here is a shot from underneath. Just to help visualize how to place the U-bolts. It’s worth noting that these U-bolts come standard with more length to make sure you have enough thread. We had both the older and shorter U-bolts and the newer and longer ones, but to avoid trimming the excess, we used the shorter ones, which had just enough thread engagement to be completely safe.

STEP 4: ASSEMBLE SUMOSPRING & BRACKET

Grab your SumoSpring, the provided bracket, and nut. Assemble it all together with a little bit of Loctite on the nut.

STEP 5: MOUNT SUMOSPRINGS TO MOUNTING PLATE & U-BOLTS

Using the two provided zinc-plated bolts and two Nyloc nuts, attach the SumoSprings to the U-bolt and mounting plate you installed earlier. Tighten them down – and you’re done! Replace your wheel and drive off into the sunset.

COMPLETE KIT INSTALLED

Just like that – you’ve got extra ground clearance and all the bene ts that come along with an upgraded set of rear bump stops. As you can see, the install is straightforward and only requires basic tools. The passenger’s side is the same as the driver’s side.

QUICK REVIEW & IMPRESSIONS

The real difference with this kit will be felt under heavy loads, uneven roads, and especially on the trail where you see more frequent cycling of the suspension. Once we made our rst run to Home Depot (shortly a er this install), the di erence was noticeable, especially with the truck loaded down.

We installed this kit on my buddy’s truck, so we didn’t have a chance to do any wheeling yet, but I’ve experienced several vehicles that are running this kit. A huge benefit that you won’t feel until you’re out on the trail is how well these absorb the deeper ruts and whoops. Especially with the factory bump stops, bottoming out is a very unpleasant experience. You can hear and feel the impact. Makes you cringe a little and feel like you’re going to break something. With this new kit, that is a thing of the past.

The micro-cellular polyurethane SumoSprings are much larger than the factory bump stops, much softer (the factory ones feel like rocks), and completely maintenance-free. All of those features make this upgrade a no-brainer. As I said before – shiny new parts like ll suspensions are awesome, but to really dial in the back end of your truck, this U-bolt flip kit and bump stop package is a must.

Which SumoSprings Should You Buy? Blue OR Black?

This is a common question asked about these SumoSprings kits. The answer is pretty simple.

The vast majority of us will be running the blue ones. They have a 1,400 lb. capacity at 50% compression. Even if you have a pretty heavy truck bed camper, you’ll be okay. The black is reserved for those who are carrying extremely heavy loads or towing around more than 50% of payload capacity. To each their own, but the black version is VERY stiff.

FINAL THOUGHTS

A simple install, a quality company, and a world of di erence when it comes to using your truck both on and off-road.

SumoSprings have been around for a while, and not just for the rear of the vehicle. These guys also make a nice kit for the front of your truck. With the addition of the U-bolt flip kit, we see a solid product added to the lineup of products from SSI. Regardless of your needs, these guys have a product that will complement your suspension and improve the driving experience.