LUBR Suspension / Steering

[1974]

We're begining to work on my '74 and trying to figure out what the PO did...plus I'm new to EB's. It appears there's a 2" lift on the front and there's 6 stiff leaves in the rear, but nothing else...2" seems odd to me, as would think it'd be 2.5, but that's how it measured. No change in pitman arm or any steering linkage. The steering is pretty poor, so trying to get things tightened up.
Also, would like to put some around 32x11.5" tires on it, but fear it rubbing...saw another LUBR with that under a 2.5" lift and seems to work.
Sorry to say, but this isn't going to be for off road, but my wife's dream ride...with my driving it to work now and again...so no need to go too heavy duty.

I was hoping to post a photo of the front end, but no luck.

Questions:
1) Lift: Better to put a 3.5" and 11 spring under the rear or think the 2.5" with a 2" block in the back would work for ride height/tire size? Seems a good air shock and block in the rear might work.
2) Steering: Looking to purchase drop pitman arm, adjustable drag link and a "straight bar" tie rod. The current one has multiple joints near the diff and almost forms an inverted "V". Also looking to get a close ratio steering box. Does this sound about right to tighten up steering?
3) Axle Bracket: There's a bracket on the passenger side of the front axle that is angled towards the front and ground. Not sure what it's there for. Ideas?
4) Rims: Trying to fully understand backspacing and how to judge what works with what tire size. Anyone have suggestions for rim size/backspacing on an uncut?

I've gone through a number or threads, but with a 6-day old baby, it's hard to weed through so many to try and piece the info together...sorry if some of these are redundant questions from other threads.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Heus33]

Here's a good street suspsension thread that covers some of these topics:
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168596

Here's my take on the other stuff:

1) Lift: This is where you want to spend the most money. A block in the back might work for you but if you're looking for a better quality lift spend the money and get Deaver springs and leafs. Jeff's bronco graveyard sells them under the superflex name. I think a 2.5" SL with a 1"BL would be perfect. Add a set of good shocks and you're golden.

2) Steering: You might not need a drop pitman arm with a 2.5" lift (I didnt have one). The inverted "Y" steering is good for the street too. If your steering is wobbly, look at the tie rods for play. If they're egged out, you'll need to replace them - that should tighten it up for you.

3) Axle Bracket: This is probably a factory mount for a front sway bar. See my post for sway bar info - you'll want one if you go with the deaver spring/leaf setup.

4) Rims: You'll want a backspacing of at least 4.00". 4.5" would be better. The higher the number the closer the rim will be 'inside' the truck. Check out this post for recent LUBER wheel/tire info: http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1934899



Here's a post about installing new front end bushings - you'll want to do this too:
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144905

 

[Crawdad]

Do you have stock wheels, 15x5.5"s? An 11.5" tire on a 5.5" wide rim may be pushing it. I'm racking my brains out trying to find stock 15x7s to fit 33x10.5"s. Your susp lift can differ from everyone's too. It sounds like it may have settled if it a true 2.5" SL. If its an old one it can happen over time. An add-a-leaf or newer springs may lift it up a tad. As far as backspacing, the consensus has been around 3.75"-4" backspace for lubers, depending on wheel width. Try and get some pics up.

 

[Justafordguy]

With the inverted Y steering and the sway bar bracket it sounds like someone installed a 76 - 77 front axle. Does it have disc brakes? This type steering works fine for a street driven truck. The main thing you want to make sure of is that you have enough caster in your alignment. I ended up needing 7 degrees + to get mine to drive good.

 

[surfer-b]

You want to be careful about running more than 4" backspacing on 15" wheels esp with the 76/77 front because the wheels will rub the knuckle tie-rod joints and throw the weights if any are on the inside, You can get a way with more backspacing using 16" wheels if you can find a set. As for the wheel width I have seen guys running 12:50's with the stock 15x5.5 wheels with no probs, its not recommended but I wouldn't worry about it too much, esp if you are not going to wheel it hard and keep the air pressure up.

 

[Jerseydevil]

What does lubr mean? I have an idea that it refers to an uncut bronco but ive never seen an official explaination anywhere.

 

[1974]

Thanks all for the feedback. Helpful...especially, as it appears to be a 76/77 front end...that helps explain some. Will keep you posted on the build...

LUBR = Lifted Uncut BRonco Join the club, leave it uncut!!

 

[Jerseydevil]

Ok, thanks for the explanation. I actually plan to leave mine uncut. Fronts were cut when i bought it, but i have new ones ready to bolt on soon. I'm in the process of instlling a 3.5", then I'm going to put on the new fenders.