Need help deciding on a lift.

[RJGarza]

I'm soon going to start an off-frame build with my 1966 roadster. It's bone stock and was used out on a ranch as a hunting vehicle. I'm wanting to install a small lift (possibly a 3.5") when the body is off of the frame but I'm having a difficult time trying to find a decent lift for it. I've come across a complete 3.5" long travel lift from Bronco Graveyard for $669. I don't plan on doing any serious off roading and the wheel wells aren't cut. I'm looking to fit 32" tires at the biggest on a 15" wheel. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a 3"-3.5" lift? I'm not trying to drain my bank account, something around the $600-$800 price range would be great. A somewhat smooth ride is what I'm looking for

 

[cs_88]

If you don't plan on doing a lot of serious wheeling I would recommend Wild Horses' 2.5" lift kit.
That's what I'm running.

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/system3_w_WH_shocks_2in

 

[RJGarza]

If you don't plan on doing a lot of serious wheeling I would recommend Wild Horses' 2.5" lift kit.
That's what I'm running.

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/system3_w_WH_shocks_2in

That's not a bad deal at all! I'm just afraid that I'll eventually regret doing the 2.5" instead of the 3.5" later down the line. I did that with my current pickup. I bought a 4" lift and wish I would have went with a 6" due to tire/wheel clearance.

 

[DuctTape]

When I bought mine it had 33" tires on 2.5" lift with cut rears. When I did my resto I went with 3.5" and IMO the 33s look too small on 3.5". If you are planning on 32s I'd think more about the 2.5".

An advantage of 2.5" vs 3.5" is less monkeying with the steering angles.

Search this site for "lubr" (lifted uncut) threads and you'll find a wealth of information about tires sizes and lifts (with pics). That should help you decide.

 

[Scoop]

Go 2 1/2 and you can always add 1 inch BL later. I agree 3 1/2 will look goofy with 32's.

 

[RJGarza]

When I bought mine it had 33" tires on 2.5" lift with cut rears. When I did my resto I went with 3.5" and IMO the 33s look too small on 3.5". If you are planning on 32s I'd think more about the 2.5".

An advantage of 2.5" vs 3.5" is less monkeying with the steering angles.

Search this site for "lubr" (lifted uncut) threads and you'll find a wealth of information about tires sizes and lifts (with pics). That should help you decide.

I went through that thread yesterday at work while I was bored. I came across a yellow bronco & red bronco both together in a pic. Red bronco had 3.5" lift and the yellow bronco had 2.5" lift. I wasn't aware that the 3.5" lift would cause problems with the drive line. If that's the case I will just go the 2.5" lift route. It should sit a little bit higher than 2.5" considering my bronco will have a soft top and it also has the 6 cylinder motor so it's a little less weight.

 

[jmangi62]

lift kit

Nothing wrong with you're first option,JBG runs that deaver stuff,high quality parts,had experience with a larger bronco years ago,good luck w/build.Jim

 

[SteveL]

You're in texas. I would make the drive over to bc broncos and get a kit there. Shipping will add some $$ on the price of springs. Then order a set of bilstiens to fit.

 

[RJGarza]

You're in tevas. I would make the drive over to bc broncos and get a kit there. Shipping will add some $$ on the price of springs. Then order a set of bilstiens to fit.

They're 3 hours away from me, maybe I'll swing by there one weekend that I'm not working and pick one up. It all depends on the shipping price.

 

[rguest3]

Since you do not have cut fenders the wheel's backspacing becomes very important.

I have a 1969 Luber (Lifted, Uncut) with 265x70x17 tires on 8" wheels with 4.5" backspacing. The bronco has a WH 2 1/2" SL and a 1" BL. Good clearance with NO issues and the tires look correct. Not too big or small. Bronco is in my Garage pictures.

 

[DuctTape]

I went through that thread yesterday at work while I was bored. I came across a yellow bronco & red bronco both together in a pic. Red bronco had 3.5" lift and the yellow bronco had 2.5" lift. I wasn't aware that the 3.5" lift would cause problems with the drive line. If that's the case I will just go the 2.5" lift route. It should sit a little bit higher than 2.5" considering my bronco will have a soft top and it also has the 6 cylinder motor so it's a little less weight.

I'm running cv joints so no prob with the driveline 2.5 vs 3.5. I did need to put on a trac bar riser to get the steering geometry right.

I like the other guy's idea of going 2.5 and if you want more adding a body lift. Kinda wish that's the way I had gone, although I do want to put 35s on it.

 

[hucklburry rev2]

I have a LUBER, 3.5" lift, 34 skinny tires. From the side looks great. I think 2.5" lift and 32 would work out well.

 

[bronconut73]

BC 2.5" or 3.5" kit w/o shocks.
Then get Bilsteins from WH unless BC is selling them now.
The Bilsteins are "that" important.

 

[RJGarza]

Dang.. This is going to be a tough decision! I've gone through a lot of pages of the LUBER lifted thread and I've seen some nice looking rigs with both lifts.

What do you guys think of a 2.5" suspension lift and a 1" body lift running 32" tires? It's gonna to be a frame-off build. Once the frame and axles have been sand blasted and painted, I'll install the lift. I don't remember what website I saw it on but I had come across a kit that came with new body mount bushings and a 1" body lift. I'll end up buying that. I'm still undecided on which wheels I want. Maybe the Mickey Thompson Classic Lock 2s.

 

[addicted]

Dang.. This is going to be a tough decision! I've gone through a lot of pages of the LUBER lifted thread and I've seen some nice looking rigs with both lifts.

What do you guys think of a 2.5" suspension lift and a 1" body lift running 32" tires? It's gonna to be a frame-off build. Once the frame and axles have been sand blasted and painted, I'll install the lift. I don't remember what website I saw it on but I had come across a kit that came with new body mount bushings and a 1" body lift. I'll end up buying that. I'm still undecided on which wheels I want. Maybe the Mickey Thompson Classic Lock 2s.

The body mount/1" lift your talking about is from Wild Horses. Seems like everyone who uses it has good things to say about it. Like others have said, your wheel choices are going to depend on the back spacing available. Tire width and back spacing is really critical on LUBERs. Do a ton of research to avoid a ton of headaches. http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178183&highlight=luber+time And check out this thread

 

[addicted]

And this one http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230614

 

[RJGarza]

Thanks, addicted!

 

[TheGanzman]

Well, for comparison purposes, here are a few shots of my (incoming) Bronco - 2.5" (older Rancho) suspension lift, 1" body lift, 32" tires, 15X8 wheels without much backspace. Personally, I think that I will prolly do one of two things, if not both: 1). New wheels and tires - likely 17's with 265/70 or 285/70 tires mounted to 17X9's with 4.5" BS; then possibly 2). Removal of 1" BL. Mine will be ALL street use, and I am VERY sensitive to the "scale" of a vehicle - its overall height, width, and length as it relates to wheel/tire height and width and amount of space between the tires and the fender wells. IMHO, my Bronco as it stands now (with reverse-mounted front fender flares on the rear) is a bit too high and/or too much "air" between tires and fenders, and tires look too short with not enough backspace on these wheels; they also stick out a bit too far:

I understand (as should you) that this is a VERY personal decision! Look at any Bronco out there, ask any ten guys their opinion about suspension/body lift and tire size, and you'll get 10 different opinions!

 

[RJGarza]

Today I'm going to be pricing tire&wheel kits. I want 15x8 Mickey Thompson Classic Lock 2s and 33" tires. I think a full size spare would look good mounted behind the tailgate.