Measure from top of front axle to frame directly above it, anything more than 7" is your lift. Same for rear but it's 6". If i have it backwards someone will correct me. -jeff
Correct. (I get it backwards now and then though...%))
But I'll add the usual Hultzger, and say "your results may vary" and the measurements are approx. so anything within 1/2" or so should be considered "accurate enough" for a Bronco
Looking at the Bronco in your Garage, I would guess a Rancho 3" Coil up front and 2-3" lift blocks in the rear on the original springs.
Plus add-a-leaves it looks like.
I measured per Jeff's instructions and it appears to line up a 3" coil in the front and a 2" block in the back. The measurement in the back is about 9" so does that mean that stock is 7" axle to frame?
Nope, just the 6" that 1strodeo mentioned.
The discrepancy is likely old, tired and sagged out rear springs and a big thick add-a-leaf on the bottom.
It looks like an add-a-leaf to me at least. the stock overload spring was flatter and thinner in my memory.
The aluminum block might have been Rancho, or it might have been from some other source. I thought they used cast-iron blocks in their kits, but that could have changed over the years.
Many of their Bronco lift kits were front coils and a single add-a-leaf only. No blocks. In your case, even the add-a-leaf does not look like the Rancho version, which (at least in the old days) was a thinner leaf.
They did offer an optional block at one point though, and between that and the ensuing 30 years, things may have changed. Seems like none of the old-school suspension companies offer their long thin add-a-leaf kits anymore. Just the short thick ones.
Cheaper to make probably, but stiff as a brick.
It sure does look like a Rancho front 3.5" lift coil. So most likely it was a 3.5" lift kit. The rears sat a little higher than the front in stock form. I had the same ones on my 67 when I got it. The bronco rode like a tank. And the stock rear spring were worn out so it sat low in the ass end. Get your self a set of progressive coils from Wild Horses or Duffs it will be an amazing difference. As for the rear get rid of the blocks and do a set of quality lift springs. Best bet is to get a new lift kit with all the springs bushings and parts you need. Truck will ride much better all the way around.
Actually rated at just 3" but could have been more or less depending.
But they were also super stiff coils. Rated at over 400lbs/in if I remember. We ran that down last year in another thread I think.
I think it might be, the measurements were over 9 inches. It does ride a bit rough. I'll have to consider your recommendation. Thanks all for your input!
It should ride rough! That add-a-leaf is a honkin' great thick one, and on a topless, light-in-the-rear Bronco with tired old sacked out stock springs, that's a recipe for a real buckboard ride. No matter how stiff or soft the shocks are.
The new style springs will definitely ride better in the front, and in your case should improve the rear greatly as well. It's not like the new leaves ride soft, but they're much less harsh than the old ones, and with your add-a-leaf in there, they should be
MUCH less harsh.
Even if those were still the factory overloads on yours, you'd have the hard ride because the upper leaves are not supposed to rest on the thick ones. They remain above it with a gap, only riding on the big leaves when you load up a bunch of weight in the back of the truck.
Great looking truck too by the way. And you still have some things to look forward to!
Paul
