do I need to do a drop pitman arm with a 2.5 suspension lift and also do I need new or longer radius arms , won't be off road except for a few dirt roads
Also the kit the wife order has the 7 degree c bushing kit
The 7 degree bushings are a good thing in any kit as long as you have power steering. More caster is a good thing most of the time, and "most" EB's don't run into a pinion angle/u-joint issue until a bit more. With little off-roading in your future, I doubt that these will be too much bushing.
You definitely do not need longer radius arms. Your stock ones will be just fine. Longer ones are there to gain clearance for larger tires and lower the caster change through the suspension travel, and to add wheel travel.
With your '71 you never use a pitman arm by itself though. Always use a dropped trackbar bracket in conjunction with it to keep the trackbar and draglink as close to parallel as possible. This is every bit as important as keeping the overall angles low.
The exception might be if you're custom designing your own suspension and steering, and not just bolting stuff on.
What about a adjustable track bar
While I definitely do recommend the pitman arm AND the dropped trackbar bracket for 2.5" lifts, the adjustable trackbar is a bonus, but not really required.
I use one, but I'm kind of finicky about things being perfect. You won't likely feel if your front axle is 1/4" off of center, but I feel there's nothing wrong with getting it just right either. Since it's for your wife though, I'd maybe strive to be a little closer to perfect.
Easy for me to say though, since I like to sell that stuff, but it's still true.
Maybe just do the other stuff, then measure your axle and if it's off-center then do the trackbar?
The real bonus of the adjustable bar to me though, is that being able to change the angle of the upper eye to match your now slightly askew angle of the upper bracket (lifting causes it to tilt slightly) makes it much easier to install and will help the bushing last longer. That upper bushing is one of the more often worn out parts on a Bronco. Not so much with an adjustable trackbar.
But at $150 bucks or so, it's something to watch on a tight budget. I think it's worth it, but again, it's not required.
Going back to your first post, then what you said about not using this hard or four-wheeling much, I'll ask you the same question I asked in another thread. Why bother with the 44 front end at all? Unless you have one already, don't waste your time or money on the upgrade when you're not going to over stress your 30. Save those for someone that really needs it. And put the money you saved into something else cool for the Bronco!
Just curious. Lots of people get caught up in this old swap that don't really need it.
Only reasons for the 44 is if you want Ford disc brakes, have one already, or really need the extra beef.
And if you don't, but have one already, it's money in the hand sure enough.
Have fun with the build!
Paul
