Improving handling?

[josimps2]

In an attempt to improve the handling of my Bronco, I have a couple of things I would like to address in the hopes of improving handling and comfort of the ride. I have a Cage 3.5 suspension lift that is yet to be installed but I've changed my mind and plan to install all new coils, new shocks, steering stabilizer, and leaf springs at the stock height w/ stock components from Auto Krafters or some other vendor that sells stock coils and springs. I plan to purchase a 14 piece bushing kit and install these items. I also plan to send off my steering box to West Texas Off-road and have it rebuilt with the 3.5 from lock to lock ratio. Only other thing that I can think of is to have the wheel bearings replaced. I'm hoping that once all of these things take place the vehicle will handle much better and will be a much smoother ride than it currently is. What do you all think? If am going to invest this money should I spend it on some aftermarket parts instead of replacing all the stock part w/ new stock parts? I've seen stone crusher steering and using other items from a Chevy to improve the steering capabilities. I'm using the vehicle mostly for street use and just want to improve it's handling as I'm turn it into a daily driver. Am I on the right track w/ the above? If not what aftermarket items do I need to be looking for?

 

[scsm76]

If you already have the cage lift I would use it rather than buying new stock springs. If you increase the caster a bit the steering will self center faster and feel better. As for the aftermarket steering components they don't feel any diffrent than a tight stock setup, they are just stronger and easier to place over the knuckles. Shocks will have the largest effect on driving comfort, for your use stay away from all the heavy duty off road shocks.

 

[irwin]

i not shure want a cage lift is but when i got my rancho 4 inch lift installed it was the difference between night and day even though the bronco et higher the old suspencion was so shot out it drove three times better lifted

 

[brixter]

I think you will get a far better ride from your cage coils . If you have new rear leafs with that lift ( not add a leaf ) they will be far better as well . The difference in spring rates when you compare stock to afetrmarket will be the big difference and Cage are one of the best
Your ride should be great after installing all the parts you have listed.

 

[Skuzzlebutt]

The Cage lift kit will give you a much nicer ride than stock replacement parts. The progressive rate springs and nitrogen charged shocks are what you need. I don't think there are stock sized springs of this quality available but if you want less lift, you can get similar but shorter (2'' lift) springs from Duffs, and maybe from Wild Horses or BC Broncos. For charged shocks your options are even slimmer, If you want shorter look into Bilsteins. Avoid springs & shocks from any company that does not specialize in Broncos, i.e. Superlift, Rancho, Slkjacker, ets.
Your 14 piece urethane bushing kit is definitely what you need for responsive street manners. For these I don't think any one brand is better than any others, as long as it is injection molded. Be sure the C bushings have the proper caster correction for the size of lift you end up with. 7° for 3.5" lift.
A 3.5 turn steering box IMO is ideal, and WTO has a great reputation. For tie rods, drag link, etc, the fancy aftermarket stuff is not needed for a DD. However, an adjustable drag link and track bar will help in the alignment of a lifted rig. A steering stabilizer should not be necessary if all your other parts are in good condition. The main prupose of the stabilizer is to keep the steering wheel from breaking your thumbs in the event of a front tire catching something hard while you're off road. On the street the stabilizer can make the vibrations from out of balance tires or loose tie rods less noticable but is doesn't actually correct anything.
So I think you're definitely on the right track. A fat front sway bar is a great thing to have on a primarily street rig. A rear bar would be nice too but those are very rare on Broncos. You would need some custom fab work for one of those.

 

[70_Steve]

I'm hoping that once all of these things take place the vehicle will handle much better and will be a much smoother ride than it currently is. What do you all think? ..... Am I on the right track w/ the above? If not what aftermarket items do I need to be looking for?

You haven't told us what it currently is, or, specifically what you're trying to improve. Ride quality and handling are very subjective.

The Cage lift kit will give a smooth ride. The lift kits today are designed for maximum articulation, therefore the springs flex easily. With the right shocks you can get what I think is a very acceptable ride with manageable body roll. If the body roll is still a problem, there are both stock or aftermarket sway bars that can be installed.

Personally, I don't think the 3.5 turn box is necessary for a DD. It's not a sports car, its a Bronco. But, again, that personal preference. The stock 66-75 steering setup is more that adaquate for a DD. You just need to make sure that all the components are in good shape. For more responsive steering, you might consider going to 16" or 17" rims, to reduce sidewall flex.

 

[ncsubronc]

PM'ed you jo

 

[roundhouse]

The 16 or 17 rims and a sway bar in the front and maybe in the rear, will make a huge difference.

the sidewall squirm makes mine wallow alot, 35'' tires on
15 '' rims makes mine wallow like a whale.

I think because you can only run about 22 lbs or so in them because the EB is light compared to the weight capacity of the tires.

WHat size tire are you planning?

 

[trailpsycho]

The 16 or 17 rims and a sway bar in the front and maybe in the rear, will make a huge difference.

the sidewall squirm makes mine wallow alot, 35'' tires on
15 '' rims makes mine wallow like a whale.

I think because you can only run about 22 lbs or so in them because the EB is light compared to the weight capacity of the tires.

WHat size tire are you planning?

Yours is wallowing b/c you're only running 20-22 lbs in them; take them up to 30-32 lbs and they will act like real tires. Some tires rquire less pressure, but I dont think I have seen any other than a few BP tires that didnt have max pressures in the upper 30s-40s. When I first got my MTRs last year, they started them to high at 36 psi, dropped them to 31 and they were just right. Aired down to 14, they were great on the trail. After 6 months and ~3000K, there was almost no wear when I sold them.

 

[74BroncoCO]

Staying with your stock height is probably the best way to improve your handling, and it looks to me you're on the right track with all new components and bushings. might consider poly bushing?? Also while the steerinfg box is off, beef up the frame in that area as well. There has to be some flex there regardless of what you use the bronco for. As for the rest of the steering, the stock is fine as long as it's not wore out. For your purposes doing a hi-steer of some sort is probably a waste. however, if you have to replace anyway, then you might consider a beefier setup.

As for the ride itself, the best advice I can give is get adjustable shocks. You may get a nice set (non-adjustable) that will work for 90% of your driving, but if you end up hauling something heavy or plan to take a trip with the bronco loaded with people, then tightening up the shocks will maintain the ride you're used to. i have rancho 9000's in the rear and pro-comps in the front (bought it that way) and after I built my rear bumper and added the tire, I needed to turn he shocks up one notch. Ride is good again.

J.D.

 

[Ed74]

I performed a similar setup with my stock 74. Upon completing an initial assessment of my steering, I decided to replace these parts which greatly increased the handling and drivability of my Bronco.

1. WH drag link
2. WTO rebuilt box w/ 3.25 turn upgrade
3. WH saginaw pump (just for completion sake with the rebuilt box)
4. Flaming River lower steering shaft
5. Rebuilt column
6. BFG 30x9.5 AT tires

The previous owner had already installed new bushings and JD shocks. However, my coils and springs are original. The culmination of these upgrades, in addition to a terrific allignment, resulted in a pleasurable driving experience.

Good luck

 

[Flash69]

I vote that if you want to keep it a good driver dont lift it. I dont care what lift kit you buy it will change the way it drives and rides. I think that if you keep it stock you can use the stock steering setup. Make sure it is in good shape and use new bushings.

 

[Apogee]

I'll daily drive anything...but that being said I think it really comes down to what you want to daily drive. Vehicle handling is a compromise between comfort and performance. Nothing is free. EB's are designed for off-road performance as opposed to on-road performance and now you're asking how to change that. The options are only limited by your imagination and your budget.

Personally, I like sticking with the off-road heritage of the EB's and living with it on the street. I'm not opposed to things like sway bars as long as they don't interfere with the off-roadability and true purpose of the rig. Asphalt is just for getting places...dirt and rocks are for fun. If I want to pro-tour something, I'll drive my car.

 

[Projp]

Your title was improve handling. The best "handling" Bronco I have had was 76 with stock height, but rebuilt wear components.
The worst handling Bronco I have is my current crawler with 3.5" Cage coils, however it is the best articulating.
What makes the Cage coils so great offroad kills you for on road handling.
True, it is softer riding, but that comes at the expense of significant body roll.
If I go back to a DD it will be stock, or close to it, height.

 

[DonsBolt]

Here is what I would do for a great handling truck, while still being able to do a little offroading.
BC Broncos sells a 1.5 inch lif front spring. I don't see themon there web page, but I am sure they have a matching set of rear leafs.

All the other things you are thinking are great.

Then get a set od Bilstein shock, talk to the guy ar raceshocks.com he will figure out what is best. If you can find a 77 Bronco sway bar for the front, that will kelp as well.

I think a 1.5 inch lift will look cool. and handle great if set up right.

 

[bmc69]

Maybe I'm out of the mainstream here..but I just finished building a truck for a guy that has owned it for years and it had an 'old school' 4" lift when I got it. I used the 5.5" Cage coils and springs, and the shocks that come with that kit, and my own extended arms and steering components (what I build there is really no different than Randy's BulletProof stuff or Anthony Terry's parts..so you can get the same solution from multiple sources there. I do not sell that stuff myself..only fab what goes in to what I build).

Bottom line after we were done: The truck runs down the road with 37" tires like its on rails..and handles trails with the best of 'em.

No sway bar(s)..no dropped brackets..no steering damper...

You CAN have it all.