What are your non-negotiables?

[lindsaywyn]

Hey Everyone! I'm in the middle of my '71 bronco chassis restore and it was brought to my attention that the stock radius arms probably aren't the way to go for the smoothest ride. It got me wondering (before I get too far) what are other things I should consider so that I can avoid tearing it apart more than necessary.

What are your upgrades/changes you've made on your projects that you couldn't live without now that you have it?

For reference, I have installed the Tom's Offroad 2.5" lift kit, master 4 wheel disc brake conversion kit with hydro boost from Tom's, the sway bar kit in the front (half installed so far), I purchased the 23 gallon EFI tank, new steering linkage (stock from CJ Pony Parts) and a Borgeson power steering kit.

This will primarily be used from highway driving with minimal off-roading by the time I'm done with it. Thanks!

 

[don k]

The Borgeson power steering. Best thing since sliced bread.

 

[Timmy390]

Each rig is different......but Borgeson power steering along with adjustable track bar, adjustable steering link and track bar drop bracket were musts on my rig. Upgraded front brakes to disc is top at the top of the board too.

Tim

 

[1969]

What’s your goal for the Bronco? Because a rock crawler non negotiable’s are different from a car show queen’s.

 

[Teal68]

First things I do to any Bronco that doesn't have it already:
Power Brakes
Disc front
Power steering

 

[tasker]

hands down, hydro boost brakes

 

[mdainsd]

Overdrive.

 

[lindsaywyn]

hands down, hydro boost brakes

I should have noted i did get the 4 disc brake conversion kit from Toms with the hydro boost!

 

[lindsaywyn]

Overdrive.

can you expand on this a bit? i'm new to any type of rebuild so any details would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[lindsaywyn]

First things I do to any Bronco that doesn't have it already:
Power Brakes
Disc front
Power steering

I did forget to mention the 4 disc brake conversion kit from toms with the hydro boost is getting installed as well. thanks for the feedback!

 

[lindsaywyn]

The Borgeson power steering. Best thing since sliced bread.

I got this at 17 and let me tell you, learning to drive a stick in this with no power steering was an adventure haha definitely excited for the power steering!

 

[lindsaywyn]

Each rig is different......but Borgeson power steering along with adjustable track bar, adjustable steering link and track bar drop bracket were musts on my rig. Upgraded front brakes to disc is top at the top of the board too.

Tim

i went back and forth on the steering and I should have just gotten all adjustable, Right now I think they only one that's not adjustable is the drag link, think that would matter if the trac bar and tie rod are adjustable? (sorry i said adjustable a lot in that ha)

 

[lindsaywyn]

What’s your goal for the Bronco? Because a rock crawler non negotiable’s are different from a car show queen’s.

Mostly highway driving with minimal off-road.

 

[mdainsd]

can you expand on this a bit? i'm new to any type of rebuild so any details would be appreciated, thanks!

Early Broncos with stock (non overdrive) transmissions dont suit my needs to cover some long distances (500 or more miles) in a reasonable time and without listening to the engine revving away for hours on end.

 

[lindsaywyn]

Early Broncos with stock (non overdrive) transmissions dont suit my needs to cover some long distances (500 or more miles) in a reasonable time and without listening to the engine revving away for hours on end.

oh wow, good to know! thanks! my dad lives about 450 miles away and i plan to visit him so that's great feedback.

 

[Timmy390]

Overdrive.

LOVE my M5ODR2........

Tim

 

[73azbronco]

an engine that works.

 

[ntsqd]

Was it me I'd look for a 5.0 Explorer donor. Put that complete engine and trans in the truck. Gets you a lot of the goodies that you're going to spend a fortune on trying to piece together. OBD II EFI, roller cam, decent cylinder heads, overdrive auto trans, serpentine accessory drive with: great mechanical cooling fan, best water pump design Ford has offered on the small block, a decent power steering pump, and hefty output alternator. If you're a wiring type or know someone who is, can have Cruise Control with all stock Ford parts using this donor.

If ride quality is of prime importance you're going to want to talk to someone like Accutune about a set of Fox shocks for the truck.

 

[pcf_mark]

In my order of preference because I drive my truck every week from 20 degrees to 120 degrees.

EFI - makes every drive less dramatic more enjoyable
Disc brakes - safety and easy to drive
Hydroboost - WOW what a difference this made
4R70w - upgraded the driving experience and let me drive farther and faster w/ less impact on me

I never lifted my truck but they do look cool. I am not sure if they improve the ride or handling but if they did I would jump in.

 

[DirtDonk]

An adjustable drag link really falls into a category of its own.
It’s very important for fine-tuning that last little bit of steering box being on center.
But to get you close, a track bar drop bracket and dropped pitman Arm are the next best thing.
Most will say you don’t need those for a 2 1/2 inch lift, but you do. If you want the Steering box to be centered after a 2 1/2 inch lift, you need to compensate somewhere.
You can do it with an adjustable drag link, but you still have steeper angles on the steering links to contend with. The drop bracket and Pitman Arm take care of that. At the same time, they are taking care of the angles, they are also helping keep things centered.
My personal preference is to use the drops AND the adjustable drag link for that final bit of fine-tuning.