Bronco Lifting Experts Advise Needed

[method9]

Hey,

Quick question for all you out there that have more experience than me.

I am lifting my 73 Bronco Sport with a 3 and 1/2 inch CAGE lift. I will be putting on 35 by 12.50s on 15 inch rims underneath.

My question is this, Do you have to extend your drivlines with a 3 1/2 inch lift or will you be just fine without doing it?

My Bronco is a Daily Driver that I use for trail wheeling on weekends I don't do anything extreme as of yet.

Thanks,

 

[JWMcCrary]

I'm using stock length driveshafts with a 3 1/2 inch lift.

 

[vuke]

I had mine extended. I don't think it would have fit without modification.

 

[method9]

From your avatar it looks like you do some extreme stuff.

I am planning on extending them later on but I won't have time at the same time I am putting the lift on therefore I am concerned if I will have problems for the time being until I do get them extended.

 

[Scoop]

For my 3 1/2 I had the rear ds extended and a longer slip joint installed. For the front, I just had a longer slip joint installed. Stock will probably work fine until you offroad more.

 

[scsm76]

The stock shafts will work, but the back rides on very little splines and won't last long. The back will probably limit your travel if you have long travel shocks.

 

[Hogback]

mine is lifted 3-1/2" with stock shafts. the front isnt a problem at all, still a lot more room...but the rear is barely catching on some splines whem i'm flexed out and i keep expecting it to separate. That happened to someone on a real bad course once and caused traffic to be held up for over an hour. I would just go with the stock shafts for the time and replace it later when time/money allows. I'm still waiting on mine to rip apart so i can justify to the boss lady why i need to spend several hundred more on "the 30 year old truck"

 

[method9]

What do you mean by the rear won't last long. Does that mean that the splines will wear out or that the driveline will slip out while driving eventually?

Is it possilbe to get extnded splines or what would be the best way about going about it.

Would you suggest just getting the drivelines done or is in unnecessary.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Hogback]

if the two shafts are just barely yoked together, then there is less strength and its more likely to fail.
I would do the lift then check to see how it looks. Full extension is also possible on the road, you could go airborn over a big bump and have the rear fully extend then if the shaft was too short it could separate.
Check around for a local driveshaft shop or machine shop who does driveshafts. They will cut out the old tube and put in one that is longer, then balance it. You give them the dimension. Around here it costs $150 to have it lengthened. The problem is, if your old splines are worn then your wasting your money, buy new driveshafts.

 

[astark]

I would do the lift then check to see how it looks.

I did the Cage 3.5 lift and had no problems with my drive shafts

 

[SaddleUp]

It's going to vary from one rig to the next. Some will be fine with it and some will have problems. It's going to depend primarily on how much downward travel (extension) you have now. While most above said the front was not a problem it is going to be the most important between them that it be in the right position. Since the driveline is on the side it will travel further when the rig articulates.

 

[scsm76]

What do you mean by the rear won't last long.

If you drive with it using less than about 1.5" (3" is ideal) of splines engaged there isn't much there to hold it together. It will wear and get sloppy and could possibly break. I drove mine this way for over 40,000 miles (never realized it), it never broke but there is about 1/8" play in the splines since it was only riding on about 3/4" of the splines. This was a fairly new driveshaft only had about 10,000 miles on it when it was lifted.

 

[jbbies]

my bronco had a 3 inch lift on it since 1980 and stock length no problems yet make sure you keep it all greased. I know a guy who always says "friction is the enemy grease is our friend."

 

[68 Broncoholic]

Its the rear that needs to be lengthened most times and a 1" longer slip yoke will do up front. Watch out cause most shops will say you need a new CV, slip yoke, u-joints when you go in to have it lengthened. This will cost more than buying a new one. Tom's Broncos sells a rear Spicer 3.5" - 5.5" lift driveshaft for $240. The shops quoted me around $350 to $400 at that time.
I now deal only with Tom Woods http://4xshaft.com/index.html for their strength & warranty.

 

[method9]

Great Thanks for the Help guys I will pull things apart and see what it looks like.