Are bump pads needed after replacing stock rear springs?

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Ski4Ever

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I've read all kinds of threads on forums here, read through info from manufacturers, talked to vendors, etc, and I just keep finding conflicting information. After you replace the rear stock springs with either Deavers or ICONs, do you need to a bump pad so that the bump stop does not just contact the axle tube? I understand that extended bump stops are needed, but I can't figure out if new bump pads are needed or not. Some seem to say it's okay to just have the bump stop contact the axle, whereas others say you have to buy one of the following 2 options:

https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/17-current-ford-raptor-sdhq-built-bump-pad

https://forged-offroad.com/product/bump-pad-for-after-market-springs/?v=f24485ae434a

I see that the SQHQ bump pad says it's for Deavers. Is there a reason it wouldn't work with ICONs also? It just sits between the spring pack and the spring pad on the axle, so I don't see why it wouldn't, but maybe I'm missing something.

I also don't really see what the Forged Offroad kit does, or where it sits on the axle. Does anyone have any pictures showing it actually installed? I can't picture it looking at the images on their website.
 

nikhsub1

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I think you can use either of these no matter what spring brand you go with, deaver or icon... the forged kit looks better to me actually, never seen that before. The forge unit appears to mount under the leaf spring and is positioned to strike the OEM pad up top? Both SDHQ and the forge seem to do the same thing and mount the same way but the forge units look much more robust.
 
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Ski4Ever

Ski4Ever

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I just Googled "SDHQ bump pad" and looked for images, and ended up finding the following link from @FordRaptorLights.com's website:

https://offroadalliance.com/products/sdhq-ford-raptor-rear-bump-stop-mounts

The pictures on that page definitely seem to make a lot more sense. I wonder if the pictures on the SDHQ website are wrong, as they don't seem to be the same parts shown!

My problem with either of these kits is that it's clearly going to require removing the U-bolts (I've already replaced my rear springs), and since U-bolts are a 1 time use thing, I'd have buy new U-bolts in addition to these bump pads.

I'm still not sure whether or not they're really necessary, though...why don't any manufacturers include both the extended bump stops and the new bump pads as a "kit" if both are needed?
 

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Ski4Ever

Ski4Ever

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@Ski4Ever

SDHQ has updated the bump stop mounts. The pictures on our website our outdated.

Another option is the Icon bump spacer kit. This essentially pushes the OEM bump stop down a bit and it would then contact your axle should you decide not to run new bump stop mounts like the Forged Offroad or SDHQ ones.

Link to Icon spacers:

https://offroadalliance.com/product...p-stop-spacer-kit?_pos=2&_sid=0d598263c&_ss=r
Interesting...your out of date pictures are the only ones I actually understood for the SDHQ bump pads. I still can't figure out how the items in the pictures on the SDHQ website would be installed. It looks like there are 2 holes for the center pins on the leaf pack to go through, but other than that, I'm not really sure what it would look like.

I actually installed the Camburg bump stop spacer kit when I did my rear springs. So you're saying that's enough, and I don't need to add any sort of bump pad? If so, it seems like a no-brainer to me as to which one I would do.

It's roughly $200 for each of the bump pad kits, and would require me to remove the U-bolts at a minimum for the SDHQ kit, or physically separate the spring pack from the axle on the Forged Offroad kit. Plus I have to buy new U-bolts...not sure what the cost would be for those, but I see that the hardware kit on ICON's website is $226. I'm guessing their machined top plates are a big chunk of that, but the U-bolts are probably at least $20 or more.

Or, I simply keep the extended bump stops which are roughly $100, and only required removing the stock bolt from each bump stop, adding in the spacer, and replacing the stock bolts with the supplied longer bolts. Literally could be done in 30 seconds on each side, I'm sure!

Or maybe I'm missing or not understanding something...
 
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Rick@FreedomMotorsports

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If you are asking if they are needed, then Yes.
They are there to stop the travel from going too far. If it continues past, you are going to start to ruin the leaf springs. I have seen them break a few leafs when it happens over time. Plus the force coming up and slamming is going to be very harsh. We recommend a full bump stop kit like RPG or ICON as it does help a lot when it travels up and an actual bump shock slows it down to a smooth transition. Hitting the factory bump pad can be harsh too and it doesn't give that much and can kick your rear-end. We do not sell SDHQ so we recommend the Forged Off-road as it is more robust. And you are correct, the Forged one does go under the leaf spring so the recommendation is to replace the u-bolts. If you don't want to do that then the SDHQ is the way to go and Chris can take care of you with that (If Chris is the one at OA that is responding).

Personally we don't recommend the spacers even though we sell the ICON and Camburg ones. Yes it hits the axle and extends it to be the same as stock but you are hitting a round axle. That bump is only held in place by one bolts. You hit that axle just right, you are going to rip that bump off. Hitting a flat surface is you better bet. But ultimately a full bump stop will provide the best performance. We sell the RPG and ICON one and the ICON strike plate doesn't require to remove the leaf springs. We recommend the ICON leaf with the ICON bump and Deavers with the RPG. But they can be mixed.

Hope that helps and if you need anything, just message me.
Thanks,
Rick
 

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@Ski4Ever

We definitely recommend a bump pad kit like the SDHQ, Forged, etc. While the Icon kit extends the bumps down to impact your axle, it is not what we would recommend. But it is an option.

While a full bump stop kit is also an option, if you're not intending to really offroad a full bump stop kit such as Icon, RPG, SVC, etc is probably overkill.

Link to SDHQ's Bump Pad Kit Installation Instructions (lots of pics to show how it installs):

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2493/2184/files/13-1401-G2_Install_Instructions.pdf?17287
 
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Ski4Ever

Ski4Ever

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Ahh, thanks for the installation pictures. Looking at that, unless I'm mistaken, it looks like the new SDHQ design does *NOT* require removal of the U-bolts that hold the spring pack in place, correct?

I don't plan to offroad my truck enough that I'd be hitting the bump stops that hard (more like occasionally driving down dirt roads, through fields, etc, but not really anything baja style), so I don't really feel I need to spend the $$$ on a full bump stop kit. So, if that's the case, are you saying that I don't need the Camburg extended bump stops if I get the SDHQ bump pads, and I can just run the regular bump stop length with the aftermarket bump pads? I would think you'd still need the extended bump stops also, right?
 

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I have a 2019 and installed Eibachs up front and Deaver HD +4 in the rear. I have about 300 - 400lbs between the Retrax cover, tool box, tools and Pro Eagle jack. The truck is close to stock or a little higher with all the added weight.

On my Gen 1, I did the SVC bump kit along with Fox 3.0's. That all worked really well together but I didn't fell the need to get the bump kit again. I went with the SDHQ pads instead.

I don't beat the shit out of the truck and go offroad 10% of the time. I did jumps in Big Bend going 70mph earlier this year and everything was fine. I did make sure not to nose dive the truck.

Looks like you don't have to take the nuts off the u-bolts to install.

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