on mine once I installed the u-bolts, I cut the excess stud off to keep them from snagging on anything.
I have Aluminum Products full skids on my Brute Force. They use button head allen bolts that are recessed into small "dimples" to keep the exposure to a minimum. Nice product. They sell the A-arms seperately or as part of the full kit. Highly recommend them.There is a company that makes them where the bolt heads are not as exposed. They recess where the bolt heads are where they don't hang down.
If I'm remembering correctly, I think it was Aluminum Products (AP). Someone correct me if I am wrong.