Dual Front Shocks from Factory??

[Yooper74]

I'm shopping lift kits for a 74 explorer package bronco. I've been looking at the Wild Horses system 3 for a 2.5" lift. It comes with a single front shock. My bronco has what appears to be dual factory front shocks. Wild Horses told me this must have been a dealer installed thing.

Does anyone have any information on this?

Here's a picture. Currently not connected on top side.

Also if anyone has run the system 3 from WH thoughts and opinions appreciated. They are pushing the Bilstein's. My experience with Bilstein on other vehicles has been negative for my taste. I've always found them to be incredibly stiff.

 

[toddz69]

It could've been installed by a number of different sources. Probably not a dealer-install. That bracket was the 'standard' aftermarket dual shock bracket developed by Stroppe back in the day and sold by quite a number of outfits including Stroppe, Duff, K Bar S, and others.

I think you'll like the Bilsteins in your Bronco (in a single shock per wheel application).

Todd Z.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Not factory. Dual shocks from the factory on a Bronco did exist, starting in '78. But not before that.

As Todd mentioned, that is a common aftermarket addition. Back before shock technology caught up and a good single shock existed. Double up and hope it works was how it was done.

 

[DirtDonk]

And so far as I remember, the only complaint about the Bilstein 5100 series shocks is that some find them too soft.
However most users really like them on their Broncos. Only a few are using them as duals as of yet, but I'm sure more feedback on that will be forthcoming. I'll be doing that to my '68, but that's not going to be for awhile yet.

Paul

 

[jckkys]

The bottom eyelet on the front shock looks like it has the tie rod passing through it. Can that be? I also see no shock tab welded on the radius arm cap where the lower end of the shock is normally bolted. Another problem is the coils look like the early Ranchos that were super stiff. I got some and pulled them out in less than a week. As said EBs didn't have duel shocks from the factory. The '78/'79s did, as an option.

 

[thegreatjustino]

The bottom eyelet on the front shock looks like it has the tie rod passing through it.

First thing I noticed as well. Looks like the shock is connected to the tie rod in some way. Would be incredibly strange if that was the case as the shock would move left and right with the steering.

 

[Yooper74]

That's funny. Only an optical illusion from how I was holding my phone. Tie rod is below the shock just the perfect camera angle.

Great info. Thanks a bunch. I wont worry about the dual shocks. I thought it was factory as that is how it was when I picked it up and it looks original'ish i guess.

 

[sprdv1]

Concur here. Great value

It could've been installed by a number of different sources. Probably not a dealer-install. That bracket was the 'standard' aftermarket dual shock bracket developed by Stroppe back in the day and sold by quite a number of outfits including Stroppe, Duff, K Bar S, and others.

I think you'll like the Bilsteins in your Bronco (in a single shock per wheel application).

Todd Z.