Moving the rear axle back 1"

[Mustangs2]

I bought my 4th Bronco. It's my first cut in the rear Bronco. I am adding a 2.5" suspension lift. I don't like how the rear tire "fits" in the rear wheel well opening. So, I read a bunch of threads on Classic today. I am going to move the axle back 1". What I didn't find in my search was if I need to expect to lengthen the drive shaft. It seems some have and some have not? Perhaps it's like many things about our Broncos...The answer may be...Maybe ;D

Love to hear from a guru who has been there and done it.

TIA

 

[bronconut73]

I have done it. In fact I moved my axle back probably one and a half inches.
I bought an aftermarket drive shaft the Tom Wood's shaft in fact for my lift and moving the axle back 1 and 1/2+ inches seem to be just fine with my long travel drive shaft. I've driven all the way to Tennessee and back from Orlando and probably put another two thousand miles on it in the last year or two on top of that and it has been just fine.

It's All you can really do is drill your plates drill your axle perches both everything together and see how your drive shaft looks..... you can always put it right back to stock until you can get a lengthened driveshaft if that's what you need to do.

 

[JefeAZ]

Usually needed at 3.5" but mine did not

 

[Cortez]

I did 1.25” and at the same time replaced my sagging add a leaf with proper 3.5” lift springs and had to order a longer driveshaft. Wild horses custom length shafts are Tom Woods made and good reputation. Also consider (you probably already know) you may need to change the angle by adding degree shims. I did the 6 degree shims recommended for my lift. Have only taken a victory lap around my cul-de-sac so I don’t know yet about any highway vibrations.

 

[Mustangs2]

Usually needed at 3.5" but mine did not

TY...Love your build thread!

 

[Mustangs2]

I did 1.25” and at the same time replaced my sagging add a leaf with proper 3.5” lift springs and had to order a longer driveshaft. Wild horses custom length shafts are Tom Woods made and good reputation. Also consider (you probably already know) you may need to change the angle by adding degree shims. I did the 6 degree shims recommended for my lift. Have only taken a victory lap around my cul-de-sac so I don’t know yet about any highway vibrations.

Cool story about "Charlie"...Love your speedometer!
All the best.

 

[Mustangs2]

I have done it. In fact I moved my axle back probably one and a half inches.
I bought an aftermarket drive shaft the Tom Wood's shaft in fact for my lift and moving the axle back 1 and 1/2+ inches seem to be just fine with my long travel drive shaft. I've driven all the way to Tennessee and back from Orlando and probably put another two thousand miles on it in the last year or two on top of that and it has been just fine.

It's All you can really do is drill your plates drill your axle perches both everything together and see how your drive shaft looks..... you can always put it right back to stock until you can get a lengthened driveshaft if that's what you need to do.

TY...Orlando to Townsend is quite a haul in a Bronco...Very cool experience I'm sure...I'm with you...just going to go for it and do what's necessary after it's moved.

 

[Crush]

i moved mine back 1.5 inches with the ezinch blocks from DIY4X.com they provide 1" of lift and move the axle back either1" or 1.5". did this to somewhat level out ny Bronco. it was draggin butt because the front lift was taller than the rear. leveled it out and centered the wheel/tire in the wheel opening at the same time

 

[Apogee]

If your perches are beat, you can get replacements through the vendors that are already drilled, and you could adjust your pinion angle if needed at the same time during installation. I'm running a modified version of the long Ruff Stuff perches on mine.

 

[Mustangs2]

i moved mine back 1.5 inches with the ezinch blocks from DIY4X.com they provide 1" of lift and move the axle back either1" or 1.5". did this to somewhat level out ny Bronco. it was draggin butt because the front lift was taller than the rear. leveled it out and centered the wheel/tire in the wheel opening at the same time

Thanks Crush

 

[Mustangs2]

If your perches are beat, you can get replacements through the vendors that are already drilled, and you could adjust your pinion angle if needed at the same time during installation. I'm running a modified version of the long Ruff Stuff perches on mine.

Thank you for responding

 

[Mustangs2]

UPDATE ON LIFT and MOVING THE REAR AXLE BACK 1"

Finished up...
*2-1/2" Lift
*Moved axle back 1"
*New Brake Shoes
*New Master Cylinder
*Front and Rear Brake seals
*Radius arm bushings
*Control arm bushings
*Service front differential
*Service Tranfer case
*Service rear axle
*New drive shaft (longer)
*New Wheels
*New 33x12.50x15 tires

Before and after pic

 

[stevew]

It's amazing what just a little bit of lift will do to improve the looks & stance of a Bronco . Great results Jeff .

 

[bronkenn]

Came out really nice. Looks beautiful! I gotta ask though... what's hiding under the cover?

 

[Mustangs2]

Came out really nice. Looks beautiful! I gotta ask though... what's hiding under the cover?

It's a 1967 Mustang Convertible -GTA ;D

 

[Cortez]

Bronco is looking proper Mustang - nice work.

 

[wsager]

Got to be happy with that!

 

[sykanr0ng]

The stock spring pad is 4 1/2 inches long meaning there is only 2 1/4 inches to the front and back of the factory hole, drilling a new hole and moving the axle back an inch or more means there is even less support on the side that presses against the leafs to prevent axle wrap.
Aftermarket perches like RuffStuff make give more leverage against axle wrap.

 

[bronco t]

What width rims did you go with on your 33-12.50x15 tires? And, do you foresee any fender rubbing issues?

 

[Mustangs2]

What width rims did you go with on your 33-12.50x15 tires? And, do you foresee any fender rubbing issues?

I went with 8” rims...No fender rubbing issues ;D