New Member Intro And Wheel/suspension question

[Sh4mrock117]

Hey Everyone!

Alabama native and ‘71 Bronco owner here! Have owned my Bronco for almost 3 years and am finally getting to put some time, and of course money, into it!

I was trying to find a Jeep scrambler at the time and I just did not think I would find a Bronco in my price range. I happen to be driving by my local custom shop and saw a gross/ dirty Bronco in their fenced in yard. Decided to ask about it and found out the owner heard what it was going to cost for a full restoration and wanted nothing to do with it at that point. I made a quick offer and was handed the keys! Want to know what’s even better? One day my step father and his friend wanted to see it and immediately recognized it! It was his friends bronco back in the 70’s and they used to mostly for hunting purposes. They could tell me what every bump, dent and scratch was from. What are the odds!

It was actually in much better condition than I thought when I got her home. Had about 3 inches of dirt and dust on it from sitting in the shops yard for 3-4 months. I jumped on it because most of the things I wanted to do to it were already done. Power steering, larger fuel tank, rhino lined interior, small lift kit(not sure what size) etc.

I will try to post pictures of it. I am on my phone because my computer is giving me fits. I just put new seats, steering wheel, pressurized hood lifts, front bumper with all the fixins and a C6 transmission in it. Loved the 3 speed but it was constantly getting stuck between gears and it sounded like it wanted to explode on the interstate.

My question for you all is wheel spacing, tire size and lift kits. Has anyone ever asked about these 3 things? %)

It came with BFG AT’s that are 285/70R17 with Ion Alloy wheels. I believe I have a 2.5” lift? I know I don’t have a body lift.

I’m really wanting to change the overall stance of the car. The pictures will show how sunk in the tires are from the fenders. It drives me nuts! I would like to get new wheels and tires with correct backspacing to get the tires barley outside of the fender flares.

Any idea what backspacing I currently have or what I would need to get those results? The tires are also 32” and I would like to get to that 33-34” size. That’s as high as I can go and still fit in my garage

Well my fingers hurt being on my phone typing all this so I will chime in again tomorrow!

Thank you all in advance!

-Mark

 

[1strodeo]

Welcome from another Alabama native (Phenix City)

Remove one of the wheels and set it face down on the ground. put a straight edge across the wheel, like a 2x4, then measure from the mounting surface to the straight edge and that will give you your backspace.

For the lift you can measure from the top of the axle to the frame, anything more than 7" in front and 6" in back is your amount of suspension lift.

If I have the 7 and 6 backwards someone please chime in

Congrats and look forward to the pics -jeff

 

[WILDHORSES]

Options:
Wheel spacers or
Wider wheels and or less back spacing but wider will give it more of the stance I think you are looking for.

Jim

 

[Sh4mrock117]

Welcome from another Alabama native (Phenix City)

Remove one of the wheels and set it face down on the ground. put a straight edge across the wheel, like a 2x4, then measure from the mounting surface to the straight edge and that will give you your backspace.

For the lift you can measure from the top of the axle to the frame, anything more than 7" in front and 6" in back is your amount of suspension lift.

If I have the 7 and 6 backwards someone please chime in

Congrats and look forward to the pics -jeff

Birmingham Native here!

Looks like my backspacing is 5”. That sounds about right then. Most suggest 4-5” backspacing it seems. Not sure why it’s so sunk in. The wheels are 17x9.

My front axle measures 9” and the back is 7” to the frame. So maybe it was a 2.5” lift but with my front bumper and winch plus the amount of time it has been installed could have dropped it to 2”. The 1 inch in the back does not surprise me. The front does look higher then the rear.

I was hoping to avoid wheels spacers but I might just have to do that. I would rather spend 2-3k on suspension upgrades than just new wheels and tires.

I would need over 1” wheel spacers. I think 1 inch would barely get them to the edge of the fender flares

 

[Sh4mrock117]

 

[1strodeo]

Birmingham Native here!

Looks like my backspacing is 5”. That sounds about right then. Most suggest 4-5” backspacing it seems. Not sure why it’s so sunk in. The wheels are 17x9.

My front axle measures 9” and the back is 7” to the frame. So maybe it was a 2.5” lift but with my front bumper and winch plus the amount of time it has been installed could have dropped it to 2”. The 1 inch in the back does not surprise me. The front does look higher then the rear.

I was hoping to avoid wheels spacers but I might just have to do that. I would rather spend 2-3k on suspension upgrades than just new wheels and tires.

I would need over 1” wheel spacers. I think 1 inch would barely get them to the edge of the fender flares

I can't see your pics, here is a link to options, https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34373
I would highly recommend the contributor option which equates to a dollar a month, and the ability to post pics allows you to relay much more accurate information and get better answers in return.

As I recall anything more than 3.75" backspace is where you start running into issues with the tie rods etc, but having 17" wheels may negate that issue, i don't know. I believe stock wheels are in the 3.5-3.75" backspace range.

I would definitely look into a suspension kit, I have JBG super flex lifts on both my Broncos and am happy with them, but I mostly trade with JBG because they are in (reasonable) driving distance if i want to save on shipping.

 

[Timmy390]

I run Method NV's on my rig. 17x8.5 with 4.5 back spacing. 285/70R17 mounted on them. 2.5SL 1 inch BL Everything clears and I wouldn't consider them "sucked in"

Tim

 

[Sh4mrock117]

[/url]IMG_3619 by 340R man, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Sh4mrock117]

[/url]54D1A3E5-5E7D-4777-B673-96DEB9845D34 by 340R man, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Sh4mrock117]

[/url]IMG_3614 by 340R man, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Timmy390]

That's a FINE looking rig........

I think the fender flares are the reason the tires are not sticking out. The stock fenders have a much smaller lip. I prefer the stock fender look and just went back to uncut fronts. and hope to go back to Modified rear's that mirror the front look.

In your case changing fenders is NOT an option cause no way you want to touch that paint.

Wider tires or wheel spacers if you want them to stick out. I think it looks good as is.....

Tim

 

[1strodeo]

X2 nice Bronco. Post a pic from the side so we can see the front/rear difference, if any

Did you measure axle to frame on both ends of axles?