I think if you price it out, you will find that you dont save as much as you think by ordering a KIT, so check into what the different vendors are selling "hard parts wise". With only a 2.5" lift, there are some things that you will not really need to do. NO, not everyone sells the Deaver springs, which IMO are the best (even as a linear rate coil). Their leaves are sweet riding as well, flexy soft for off-roading, supportive enough for hauling and responsive enough for DD duty. ...Just remember if you order from JBG, you want their SUPERFLEX line...those are Deavers, dont fall for the cheaper-superstiff crap. Shocks...Bilsteins ('nuff said...I like my cage shocks, which are no longer available, but I will be upgrading to Bilstein as budget and needs arise)...money well spent. F-250 mounts up-front would be a good call--they will enable you to install a longer shock and give you more choices in the Bilstein line-up which many arent amenable to the Bronco stock-shock stud-type mount. 6 or 9" radius arm extensions would be a good idea...yes, they really do make the truck ride better...a bit more body-roll is possible, but they also enable the vehicle to "float" better not only over obstacles (articulation), but provide a better "moment"/angle for standard road-crap pot-holes, bumps, changes in pavement. Some will call it hype, but long-arms do smoothe out the ride...those that dont believe have never tried them, are jealous or just mis-informed. You will probably need a drop track bar mount...shop this one...some of the vendors have re-designed this piece to wrap around the frame more for great strength (from shearing, which can happen)....I dont remember who was making the really beefy ones, maybe Duff's. If you were going 3.5", I would say go with the axle-riser bracket instead of the drop-trakc bar mount...and you could probably do a custom-axle riser for 2.5" of SL, but most are designed for at leat 3.5" of SL.
Sure, it can get a little $$ shopping all the "good parts" and having to pay a little more simply due to the additional shipping costs, but you will get a better end result. You have to ride/drive it EVERY time you do, right? So, wouldnt it make sense to source the optimal parts for the best ride...especially if it only costs you about 10-15% more? Is that $100-200 more a real deal-breaker? We all try to save money when we can and find the best deals...but with the suspension, you will get what you pay for and that leads to more enjoyment for you, the wife and the family later on. As well as good ride and handling, smooth, responsive articulation when you DO get it off-road means that the wheels stay planted and the rubber is more likely to stay down.
Good luck with your choices.
John
