Body mounts & bump stops - do these need replaced?

Fireball05 · Feb 26, 2013

Wise Bronco Brethren:

6 boxes and over 200# of various suspension bits are slated to arrive on Thursday from my good friends at Wild Horses and Bronco Graveyard! 2.5" lift kit, deaver leafs, linear coils, adjustable track bar, drop pitman and a few other choice accessories. Not being one to skimp on things or do something half-arsed, I thought it would be prudent to get your opinions on my body mounts and bump stops. I don't know their history, can only assume they might be original (although the suspension was replaced at some point in time with a Skyjacker kit of some sorts), and they look to be in decent shape.

Can some of the eagle eyes take a quick look and let me know your thoughts please?

The body mount issue is of particular interest as a few days ago I started this thread about door alignment, and just tonight came across this thread and another one stating that bad body mounts may be a contributing factor to poor door alignment. Who knew?!

OK, enough idle chatter, onto the much awaited eye candy!!!

Front bumpstop:

Rear bumpstop:

Front bodymount (all others look very similar to this, but the others are attached below, starting front and working towards the rear):

Thanks!!!

Thunder Chicken · Feb 26, 2013

if it were me id replace the body mounts.......bump stops only if you wheel alot

my body mounts were similar and after i replaced them ,the doors shut better

Gweiner · Feb 26, 2013

Curious why the doors would line up. And shut better. Is it because the new body mounts are all text same height new?

broncosbybart · Feb 26, 2013

There is more weight on the center 2 body mounts. Over time they will deform more and cause the body to buckle inward some, causing door issues.

I'd replace them all. That said, the bumpstops aren't really needed unless you do go off road. For a driver, you'll never even get close to ever needing them. If you do get new ones, get the ones that are designed for a lift kit, not just new factory height ones.

Fireball05 · Feb 26, 2013

Thunder and Bart - thanks for the replies. You both recommend replacing can I ask why? Do they look squished from their original height ? I didn't take a tape measure to them , but they do appear to still be a uniform thickness.

Also one more question , any idea what the small welded on angle bracket in the first uploaded photo might have been for?

Broncofan76 · Feb 27, 2013

I'd replace body mounts with the WH taller ones. That extra inch of body lift will make it easier on you in the long run. Provides a little extra space to work and might help keep the truck a little cooler by letting more air flow through there. Before i did any replacing I'd soak the s%$t out of em with PB blaster or something. They can be difficult to remove. Good luck!

Fireball05 · Mar 1, 2013

Guys, thanks for the info. I'm going to be replacing the body mounts with the kit that Frenchy, a member here sells. These will be slightly taller than OEM mounts but less than 1" BL.

I don't want a 1" BL now. With the 2.5" SL and new 30" tires, I'll get the look and hopefully ride I'm after. Now, down the road is I decide on replacing the stock column shifter with a nv3550, may need to add the 1" BL then!

Thanks again for the help.

Glass Pony · Mar 1, 2013

Guys, thanks for the info. I'm going to be replacing the body mounts with the kit that Frenchy, a member here sells. These will be slightly taller than OEM mounts but less than 1" BL.

Can't go wrong with a small BL. You'll be surprised just a little gap will help working on things underneath.

nathan.hall1 · Mar 1, 2013

That 1" WH BL is the best thing I've done for my bronco, the difference has been awesome...

I've always hated Body lifts but I needed it for under hood clearance of 351 and its accessories, I highly recommend it I still still take a second look at my bronco, look at my past posts in what have you done to bronco today thread to see before and after pics

stupidboy · Mar 1, 2013

I don't like a bodylift but I went with 1" anyway and am glad I did. It is never a waste of money to replace 35-40 yr old rubber.

u10072 · Mar 1, 2013

always replace every single bit of rubber parts everytime you can on an early bronco. Its not terribly expensive and in the long run is insurance againest killing the radiator.

Fireball05 · Mar 1, 2013

What do the body mounts and replacing rubber have to do with the radiator??

broncosbybart · Mar 1, 2013

If one/both of the front mounts break during wheeling, the core support can move but the fan won't...

I voted as I did because it can't hurt to replace them. It also allows you to check the condition of the frame mounts. I've seen plenty that rust to the exact same diameter of the body bushing, rendering it useless. I typically take trucks all the way down and build them back up, and new bushings/bumps are just part of the process.

Crawdad · Mar 1, 2013

No big deal unless you have a stock radiator shroud. If you have a stock shroud the fan blade will hit the bottom. Just remove shroud and run without it. I ran mine without shroud for years with a 2" BL.

Body mounts & bump stops - do these need replaced?

Fireball05

Bronco Guru

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Thunder Chicken

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Gweiner

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broncosbybart

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