Market place bronco hodge podge/ spring dilemma

[joshua]

I’ve done this bronco very cheaply. Basically what market place provides. I have chosen very little on this build as face book/craigslist has what it has.

I bought a duff 3.5 lift kit off here close to 20 years ago. It had add a leaves. I wanted a full pack spring. About 3 years ago I bought some supposedly 3.5 springs that were only used for mock up. I showed a picture of the springs on here and was told they are likely taller than 3.5

They were painted over their markings. I took paint thinner and tried to slowly remove the paint to get to the painted markings. All I could see was .5 so they are definitely something inches and a half lol.
A member from WH confirmed on here that they are definitely their springs that they sell. But couldn’t confirm what height they were by measurements.

So here is a picture of the Bronco with only the motor and transmission in. No hood. In your opinions, does the rear look like it’s sitting high?? The driveway does slope down ever so slightly towards the road, with it marginally lower heading in the direction front of the bronco. I’m sure just so the water doesn’t pool. But it looks almost flat.

 

[Speedrdr]

Personally, I like the look of a flat to up a bit in the rear stance. I’m guessing that when the top and doors go on it should settle out some.
Looking at it again, my thought is there an optical illusion there with the rear flares being white and the factory front fenders being blue makes it appear the rear is higher…

…unless you measured the front and rear height, and I know not of what I say.

 

[joshua]

Personally, I like the look of a flat to up a bit in the rear stance. I’m guessing that when the top and doors go on it should settle out some.
Looking at it again, my thought is there an optical illusion there with the rear flares being white and the factory front fenders being blue makes it appear the rear is higher…

…unless you measured the front and rear height, and I know not of what I say.

Just measure frame horns to the ground? Could it be that easy? Is that where to measure from?

 

[Yeller]

measure from the top of the axle to the bottom of the frame. Post that, someone will know those measurements off the top of their head. keep in mind that it is still light on weight and it will be different completed.

 

[Oldtimer]

The door sills, floor of bed, and top of the bed (where long hard top sits) are all parallel, and will match the slope of the ground in a "level" Bronco.

 

[joshua]

From the top of the frame horns is:
Front
29in to ground

Rear
29.5 to ground

 

[EPB72]

measure from the top of the axle to the bottom of the frame. Post that, someone will know those measurements off the top of their head. keep in mind that it is still light on weight and it will be different completed.

this ./\/\/\.... measure from the top of axle tube to bottom of frame , front 7in rear 6in ,, anything more is the amount of lift

 

[joshua]

this ./\/\/\.... measure from the top of axle tube to bottom of frame , front 7in rear 6in ,, anything more is the amount of lift

Thank you

 

[joshua]

Front measures 11.5 rear 11. Front is duff coils from mid 2000s cuz that’s when I bought them. Duff didn’t offer 4.5 springs?back then. Rear is coming out at 11. Which would be 5 inches.

Granted I have no hood, top, seats or fuel in. But I’m assuming this is taller than a 3.5 lift. I’m debating on just ordering new rears because I have about 50 items in my cart from WH that I wanted to order today. Or just order at all 4 corners, as I started this 20 yrs ago and 2.5 with 33s sounds better now. But I was trying to definitely figure this out before I pulled the trigger.

Edit, I also have angle correcting shims in the rear

 

[Yeller]

If you have the resources and want the 2-1-2” lift, order it. I can promise in the last 20 years the technology has improved. However you’re counting what the lift is before being completely assembled. I’m know mine settled another 1-1/2” from where you are today to fully assembled. Not saying yours will change that much but 1” certainly isn’t out of the question. All those small pieces add up.

 

[ep67bro]

From your measurements sounds like a 4.5 lift but is higher because the bronco is partially stripped.

I have to vote for looking into getting a new springs and shocks. The quality of the ride has drastically improved over the years, with the modern springs and shocks. When I got my first EB in 2005 it had a Rancho 3.5 " lift. It rode like a tank, was unpredictable when it hit bumps at highway speed, and made you pee blood when your wheeled it. I now have a 3.5" lift from Wild Horses with Bilstein Shocks and it rides great! Smooth, predictable, and has much more flex than those old stiff springs! If you are actually going to drive the truck its worth the coin for an updated suspension.

 

[joshua]

If you have the resources and want the 2-1-2” lift, order it. I can promise in the last 20 years the technology has improved. However you’re counting what the lift is before being completely assembled. I’m know mine settled another 1-1/2” from where you are today to fully assembled. Not saying yours will change that much but 1” certainly isn’t out of the question. All those small pieces add up.

The rear springs are newer WH 11pack . The front are mid 2009s duff coils. But never used. What size tire ar you running with the 3.5 lift?

 

[Yeller]

Mines weird, has no lift and 37’s. But is soft and very comfortable. I was giving a reference that weight adds up and makes a huge difference in ride height.

 

[joshua]

I put close to 300 lbs in the back to see simulate a top. I now have 4.5 of lift in the rear and 4 inch of lift In the front. Maybe I should run it and see if it settles?? I have duff 70/30 shocks. Are those pretty crappy compared to today’s shocks?

 

[Yeller]

you are asking a tough question. Yes and no on shocks. I too run the 70/30 shocks and couldn't be happier. I have thought I should try some more modern style shocks but keep thinking, I have these, I still have 1 spare left (I've killed a few and use the same 1 on all 4 corners) and the ride and control are what I was looking for and have been happy since 2012. So, would I just run out and change them? not necessarily, I'd move forward and get the build on the road and see what you think. then you can futz with shocks, springs, etc. to keep enjoying with the futzing part. Afterall if we didn't enjoy working on them, we wouldn't build them to start with. It does break my heart when you see guys stuck in the futzing and building part and never get to enjoy it running and driving. Get it on the road, then you can enjoy the futzing and get immediate feedback whether it is good, bad, or indifferent.