Need help deciding on front suspension lift.

[RJGarza]

Ok so here's the deal. I have a '66 bronco that I'm wanting to lift 3.5" and I'm currently piecing together a lift kit. I have the rear springs already taken care of but I need to get my front suspension lift ordered here pretty soon. I don't know if it will make a difference but I plan on using the front and rear axles off a '74 bronco along with the factory power steering box off a '74 bronco as well. As of right now I have a set of Duff 10 pack leaf springs for the rear. I'm not exactly too sure what all is needed for the front as this is my first bronco build and I'm not too familiar with the front coil suspension. I've done a little bit of online searching and came up with a list of things that I believe will be needed to complete the front suspension. I'll go ahead and type down everything I came up with but please feel free to throw out any advice or even add something else to my list if it's necessary. This bronco will be street driven 95% of the time so I don't need anything too crazy although I do plan on doing some trail riding every now and then. I plan on running 33" tires, MAYBE 35" tires. Before anyone mentions it, I know the '66 frame shock mounts won't match up with the '74 axle shock mounts. I would love to keep the original '66 frame shock mounts so I'm going to order new axle shock mounts. I plan on waiting to order shocks. My bronco is completely dissasembled and I'm trying to finish the chassis so I can set the tub on the frame and start doing body work. I know I'll need extended brake lines but I plan on having them made local. Again, please feel free to add anything I may have left out. Thank you in advance.

- 3.5" coil springs
- c bushing, trac bar bushing & radius arm bushing kit
- drop pitman arm
- adjustable trac bar (do I need this or can I get away with a drop bracket?)
- rear leaf shackle bushing kit
- 10° radius arm bushing kit
- rear lower shock mounts

 

[Rustytruck]

I would start off measuring between the rear axle tube and the frame and see exactly how much lift you have in the rear and then cobble up the front to match.

 

[RJGarza]

As of right now it's stock. The 3.5" Duff leaf springs aren't installed.

 

[mp]

I would skip the drop pitman and instead lift the track bar mount off the axle.

 

[BluebroncoNC]

You are a lot more adventuresome than me. I, personally, would order a pre made kit and not try to "figure out" what has already been figured out. That would be my advice, work with the vendors on here to get you the lift you're looking for. Even if you say,"3.5 inch" lift, there are several variations on the theme available. Long throw suspension on 3.5", old school 3.5" lift with double shocks up front without a hoop, a 3.5" suspension using a hoop kit, etc...

 

[RJGarza]

I would skip the drop pitman and instead lift the track bar mount off the axle.

Going this route would I still need the adjustable trac bar or the trac bar drop bracket?

You are a lot more adventuresome than me. I, personally, would order a pre made kit and not try to "figure out" what has already been figured out. That would be my advice, work with the vendors on here to get you the lift you're looking for. Even if you say,"3.5 inch" lift, there are several variations on the theme available. Long throw suspension on 3.5", old school 3.5" lift with double shocks up front without a hoop, a 3.5" suspension using a hoop kit, etc...

I agree. The only reason I'm doing it this way is because my bronco budget isn't as deep as I would like it to be. I'm currently trying to remodel my house and I'm also paying for my girlfriends medical bills. Those two take a good chunk out of all my play money, but that's fine with me. I bought the leaf springs off another CB member and it saved me a couple hundred dollars, especially in shipping since he's not too far from me. I may just call up a vendor and have them sell me everything in a 3.5" kit minus the rear springs and other things I won't be needing.

 

[Doyle]

Going this route would I still need the adjustable trac bar or the trac bar drop bracket?.

X2 on the riser, it's stronger than the drop bracket. You could also go tie rod over instead of the drop arm, bushings for the knuckles are cheaper than the arm, and it will get your angles closer to help bump steer. As far as the adjustable trac bar, I'd wait and get everything together, weight on tires, and see how far off center you are. BC Broncos is in Texas and may save on shipping for you. They have several spring options depending on bumper weight, winches, etc....Good luck.

 

[RJGarza]

BC Broncos is who I had called and talked to. They have everything available in stock. The only 3.5" coil springs they have available are without the winch option.

 

[BluebroncoNC]

I agree. The only reason I'm doing it this way is because my bronco budget isn't as deep as I would like it to be. I'm currently trying to remodel my house and I'm also paying for my girlfriends medical bills.

Ah, I see... The guys on here have some great advice. Good luck!

 

[RJGarza]

Ah, I see... The guys on here have some great advice. Good luck!

Thanks. I've been wanting to buy a complete kit but priorities come first. Hopefully soon it'll all come together.

 

[navalbronco66]

Similar problem as you, I have a 67 and I'm using the body and the rear differential, that's it. Everything else is pretty much new or rebuilt. I'm having the same problem with the rear 9 inch. I bought a new aftermarket frame and the shock mounts don't line up with the shock mounts on my 67 ford 9 inch. I'm going to have to cut them off and reweld them.

Anyone have good pics of a later ford 9 inch so we can see how the mounts are welded up on the rear differential.

 

[dave67fd]

With a 3.5" lift you may also need to look into relocating the radiator brackets, longer fuel filler hose and clutch pedal rod (if applicable) and longer driveshaft as well as rear leaf shims. Going to a 35" tire you may need to add a least a 1" body lift with cut rears.

Similar problem as you, I have a 67 and I'm using the body and the rear differential, that's it. Everything else is pretty much new or rebuilt. I'm having the same problem with the rear 9 inch. I bought a new aftermarket frame and the shock mounts don't line up with the shock mounts on my 67 ford 9 inch. I'm going to have to cut them off and reweld them.

Anyone have good pics of a later ford 9 inch so we can see how the mounts are welded up on the rear differential.

This is about the closest pic I have of the rear mount. Typically you want to fit your shock up on your upper frame mount, attach the lower shock eye to your removed (or new) mount and pull down to the axle and tack weld in place. See Duffs example 6 thru 9. I'll try to get you a dimension from the end of the axle flange.

http://www.dufftuff.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/5500.pdf

 

[RJGarza]

With a 3.5" lift you may also need to look into relocating the radiator brackets, longer fuel filler hose and clutch pedal rod (if applicable) and longer driveshaft as well as rear leaf shims. Going to a 35" tire you may need to add a least a 1" body lift with cut rears.

I'm also going to add a 1" WH body lift and I will be going with 33" tires. My bronco will be powered by a 200ci I-6 so I don't want to get too carried away and push 35" tires down the highway struggling.