I don't know if my Bronco is lifted or not. The PO replaced front and rear springs, shocks and C bushings but I don't know if it was lifted. I have read on this forum that you can take measurements to determine that but I have not done so.
You might as well when you get a chance though. Just one more bit of information that could come in handy when trying to figure out which direction to go with your rig.
Yes, measuring is easy between the top of the axle tube and the bottom of the frame rail. Stock is considered to be "approximately" 7" in front and 6" in the back.
Anything within a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of those would be stock, or stock-ish. Anything 1" or more above that would be lifted, and anything more than 1/2" below that would be sagged older springs. Since yours are new that should not be an issue.
How important is it to use bushings with an offset if it is lifted?
It's not always a huge deal on a stock Bronco by the book, but it still can be. And often is due to the inconsistency of the front axle builds from Dana originally. Not to mention 40-50 years of use/abuse these things have been through.
The C-bushing offset is to correct caster numbers after a lift. Unfortunately most early Early Broncos didn't have good caster numbers to begin with. It's hit or miss, which is why many of us recommend getting an alignment printout as your Bronco sits, even before it's modified. This way you know what you're dealing with and whether or not bigger offsets would be desirable.
More specifically, the factory specifications for our Broncos was 2.5° to 4.25° positive caster. Where 4.5 to 6 would be more desirable from a stability standpoint, most barely made the 2.5 rating stock. After a lift it's just worse.
The reason it was not much of a deal back when they were new was that with manual steering more caster is harder to steer. Less is easier. And with stock tiny tires being very forgiving, most people did not have any trouble with the stock specifications.
Add a lift and bigger tires and wanting it to handle more like a modern truck instead of the 50+ year old design that it is just makes it more important.
But to get to the good numbers you need power steering first. If you have that, more caster is better at least up to a point.
So yes, offset C-bushings can be a big help even on a stock height Bronco if there was not much positive caster to begin with.
How much you need depends on what you have now.
Bill R (1 on a scale of 1 to 10 on EB knowledge)
We've all been there! Some of us just had a head start on you is all.;D
Paul