At a crossroads - suspension and drivability

[bannind]

Background - So I am being entrusted with a 1967 EB that my brother has spent way too much money on. He had it created with the purpose of playing in the desert and engaged WCB to do the work for him, back in 2004. It is now mine and while driving through the desert 75mph without having to worry about bumps and washes sounds like fun, this Bronco will be utilized by myself and then my son for school in 2 years. It needs to be much more street safe and drivable first, then worry about offroad.

Current -
The front coilover shocks that were installed ($700 each at the time according to the invoice) are all sorts of leaking. Is there an option to 'rebuild' these shocks?
or
Am I better off returning to stock as much as possible? There has been alot of work done on this beast and I don't want to negate the good effort put forth. However as part of the original build, all inner support was removed as you can see in the picture. Everything is integrated together, so I am somewhat stuck with decision making.

If I can simply rebuild the shocks and have them setup so it will be safe, I will. But I don't want to spend the money on a rebuild kit and that labor, if it will still be a wild child at the end of the day.

I have attached the one good picture I have, though I have requested more pictures from the shop manager.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9rILDjm4girdTk5OGMzT2k4MkU&authuser=0

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9rILDjm4girRDRMYTZwRnZ5R2s&authuser=0
Thoughts and suggestions?

 

[Apogee]

I would rebuild the shocks and add a front sway bar...done. Adjust your driving style(s) if necessary, as it's still a short wheelbase Bronco, but I'd daily-drive the hell out of it as is. I don't see any issues that would keep me from running 75 MPH down a whoop road or down a freeway...if anything, the freeway should be less intimidating, not more so IMHO.

 

[bronconut73]

I would rebuild the shocks and add a front sway bar...done. Adjust your driving style(s) if necessary, as it's still a short wheelbase Bronco, but I'd daily-drive the hell out of it as is. I don't see any issues that would keep me from running 75 MPH down a whoop road or down a freeway...if anything, the freeway should be less intimidating, not more so IMHO.

This/\/\/\

 

[bannind]

Any idea which portion of the shock I would find the model number on? On the spring itself I found 1000.300.0200, which I believe is the designation of the Eibach coilover spring.

 

[Apogee]

Any idea which portion of the shock I would find the model number on? On the spring itself I found 1000.300.0200, which I believe is the designation of the Eibach coilover spring.

It may or may not have part numbers that are externally visible, however you should be able to get whatever you need from RaceRunner/SAW with the pictures above, body diameter and overall length of the shock (which you should only need if new shafts are required). You could revalve it at the same time if you wanted to when you rebuild it, but I would just start with fresh seals and oil and go from there. No reason to start changing springs and damping rates unless you know exactly what you want to change.

If your brother bought the coilovers directly from RaceRunner, then they may still have build sheets on those shocks and can tell you precisely what you need.

 

[bannind]

I will try the diameter and other measurements and see if that can get it done. There were purchased as a part of a build project from West Coast Bronco's. The invoices I have seen do not actually list the part numbers utilized, just the price per (which even in 2004 would have shocked the hades out of me if I had gotten a bill that big).

 

[toddz69]

I'd highly recommend contacting Kris Hernandez at shockseals.com for seals and oil for your shocks. You'll get far better service out of him than you will from SwayAway (aka Stay Away).

Todd Z.

 

[Apogee]

I'd highly recommend contacting Kris Hernandez at shockseals.com for seals and oil for your shocks. You'll get far better service out of him than you will from SwayAway (aka Stay Away).

Todd Z.

LOL, good to know...and we'll just leave it at that.

 

[DirtDonk]

Especially request an image from straight on the front all the way to both sides. This will show the steering linkage setup too.

The more important things I can think of initially for you and your son to DD it around town and out on the road would be steering and brakes. Of course the shocks should be functioning properly for good handling, but there is at least some leeway there. A "range of acceptable" so to speak.
What's good for high-speed off roading isn't necessarily best for on-road handling, but both areas can cross over some.

The anti-sway bar is a great idea.

If that trackbar drop bracket is not welded on (in addition to the bolts) then it should be. But wait until you see how the rest is set up and what you want to end up doing.

If the rig is too tall (and lower is usually better for the street, up to a point) you can adjust that with different and relatively inexpensive springs and/or adjustments of the collars.

Returning it to more normal specs might be what you end up doing, but I would not at first. No reason what you have can't work well at least initially. And besides, your brother spent a lot of dough to get it that way, so it might be a fun family legacy to leave it like it is.
It's certainly not going to hurt in the cool-factor department at school for your son either!!!;D

Hope you just got a hand-me-down or up from your bro, and not that he's not able to use it any longer for some reason.

Good luck! And hang out here and keep us informed as much as possible. Looks like a great project for you and your son.

Paul