Street Broncos - Suspension feedback and general tips

[Heus33]

I did finally get my sway bars installed. I had to cut off the factory bracket also. The front was easy but the rear was a pain. My exhaust was in the way so it took a little figurin. It does ride much better now. I think I need different shocks and then I'll be good to go. Everyone says Bilstiens but I don't know if I want to spend that much.;D

I bought mine from shockwarehouse.com but keep an eye out on eBay - you can buy one or two at a time for like $40 apiece (same ones as I bought). Might take a little time but you'll get 4 eventually!

 

[Justafordguy]

Are they really worth twice what say a Rancho or Doetsch shock.

 

[fordguy]

gotta order my sl this week. leaning towards BC broncos right now and using wild horses shocks. shipping from west coast (wildhorses) killed me on the their lift. who makes chucks springs.

 

[Archbronco]

This is a good write up, thanks. Has anyone tried this with the following: Winch Bumper in Front, Tire Mount Bumper in Back, 23 gallon gas tank and Family Roll Cage? I am trying to get a good idea on weight and suspension for my build.

 

[bronco_ranger]

Yes - I had the factory bracket on the passenger side (no bracket on the drivers side). I used a cut off wheel to cut the spot welds down then smacked the bracket with a BFH and it came right off.

Thanks for your advice on the suspension setup. I'm planning on attaching a stock sway bar and installing the bilstein 5100 shocks when I can swing the cost. The ride right now is very stable but very stiff and I’d love to soften it up a bit without compromising the handling.

Any chance you still have the factory bracket that was welded on the front axle to attach the stock sway bar? I have the sway bar with all the other brackets, but my axle is missing the welded mount. Any reason you decided to go with the addco sway bar instead of the stock version?

 

[Heus33]

Thanks for your advice on the suspension setup. I'm planning on attaching a stock sway bar and installing the bilstein 5100 shocks when I can swing the cost. The ride right now is very stable but very stiff and I’d love to soften it up a bit without compromising the handling.

Any chance you still have the factory bracket that was welded on the front axle to attach the stock sway bar? I have the sway bar with all the other brackets, but my axle is missing the welded mount. Any reason you decided to go with the addco sway bar instead of the stock version?

Sorry, that bracket is long gone. I went with the Addco because finding a complete factory swaybar was difficult.

As for your stiff ride, try a set of Deaver coils before you replace the shocks.

Actually, you can just remove your front shocks and take it for a slow test ride - I doubt your shocks are making your ride that stiff unless they are completely valved wrong or you have 4 per corner

 

[Fireball05]

Tom - I've been doing some research on adding a 2.5" lift and came upon your post. I've been researching and talking to a few different vendors. I too have a 76, and was told that I might need a new tie rod kit because of my inverted Y setup.

Curious as to your thoughts on this, and if you had to do anything?

My primary reason for going 2.5" was to keep things relatively simple and avoid creating other steering/driveline problems.

Thanks!

 

[Tasty Geezer]

This will be fun...

 

[Brnco302]

My truck rode really bad when I got it.It had 2 shocks per corner and no sway bar.I knew it was time to do something when I was driving down the road with my wife hit a bump and her left breast hit me.I have a 1976 with power steering,power disc brakes and a automatic.I did some research and found the Heus33 post.I called JBG and asked about the deaver springs,they said they are the way to go.I ordered the 2.5 front and rear springs all new 7* C bushings and the 5100 bilstein shocks.I also found a stock sway bar on craigslist.I installed everything according to the Heus33 post and mounted some 32-12.50-15 BFG all terrian tires.What a difference,it rides better than new.I took it to an alinement shop that specialized in older cars and trucks.We took it for a test drive and he told me that he would check it but he never drove a bronco that rode better.I can't tell you what made the biggest difference because I installed everything at the same time.I wanted to thank Heus33 for a great post it worked out well for me.

 

[Oakland Bronco]

Great info, thanks!

 

[Heus33]

Tom - I've been doing some research on adding a 2.5" lift and came upon your post. I've been researching and talking to a few different vendors. I too have a 76, and was told that I might need a new tie rod kit because of my inverted Y setup.

Curious as to your thoughts on this, and if you had to do anything?

My primary reason for going 2.5" was to keep things relatively simple and avoid creating other steering/driveline problems.

Thanks!

I did not need a new tie rod kit. You should check your tie rods while going through this and replace if necessary.

 

[Heus33]

My truck rode really bad when I got it.It had 2 shocks per corner and no sway bar.I knew it was time to do something when I was driving down the road with my wife hit a bump and her left breast hit me.I have a 1976 with power steering,power disc brakes and a automatic.I did some research and found the Heus33 post.I called JBG and asked about the deaver springs,they said they are the way to go.I ordered the 2.5 front and rear springs all new 7* C bushings and the 5100 bilstein shocks.I also found a stock sway bar on craigslist.I installed everything according to the Heus33 post and mounted some 32-12.50-15 BFG all terrian tires.What a difference,it rides better than new.I took it to an alinement shop that specialized in older cars and trucks.We took it for a test drive and he told me that he would check it but he never drove a bronco that rode better.I can't tell you what made the biggest difference because I installed everything at the same time.I wanted to thank Heus33 for a great post it worked out well for me.

Glad to help and happy that others are benefiting from my post. Sorry to hear that you'll no longer have boobs hitting you in the face however.

 

[stickbnder]

my truck rode really bad when i got it.it had 2 shocks per corner and no sway bar.i knew it was time to do something when i was driving down the road with my wife hit a bump and her left breast hit me.i have a 1976 with power steering,power disc brakes and a automatic.i did some research and found the heus33 post.i called jbg and asked about the deaver springs,they said they are the way to go.i ordered the 2.5 front and rear springs all new 7* c bushings and the 5100 bilstein shocks.i also found a stock sway bar on craigslist.i installed everything according to the heus33 post and mounted some 32-12.50-15 bfg all terrian tires.what a difference,it rides better than new.i took it to an alinement shop that specialized in older cars and trucks.we took it for a test drive and he told me that he would check it but he never drove a bronco that rode better.i can't tell you what made the biggest difference because i installed everything at the same time.i wanted to thank heus33 for a great post it worked out well for me.

did you stay dual shocks on the front? Or goto single ?

 

[Brnco302]

I put single shocks front and rear.I don't use this truck for offroad,it stays on the street.I think the sway bar does a good job keeping it riding level.

 

[xcntrk]

Great information Heus33...

I run a similar setup with 2.5" BCB linear coils front and Deaver 11-leaf rear. This is a super soft and flexy configuration. Then to curb body roll I run Bilstein 7100's all around, 360/80 valving front & 255/70 rear. Then I run a 1.125" swaybar on the front. Makes for a really nice ride on road. Equivalent to a modern day pickup truck. The Bilstein valving in the rear could be a little bit softer depending on weight. If you have a HD bumper/tire carrier/top/cage/etc then 255/70 is just right.

 

[Justafordguy]

I did not need a new tie rod kit. You should check your tie rods while going through this and replace if necessary.

X2, I did a 2.5" Deaver SL on my 77 and used the factory tie rods/steering. It's working great. If your 76 factory stuff is still in good shape you will be fine.

 

[Fireball05]

Good information everyone. I am doing a fair bit of research for my upcoming 2.5" SL. Been comparing some of the vendor offerings, lots of info out there, some of it straightforward, some rather confusing!

On my 76, it sounds like the consensus is that I'll likely get away without any driveline mods or trac bar or tie rod issues. From my research, it sounds like some folks have had to fix issues with these when going 2.5" lift but most don't.

I'm still debating if the cost/hassle is worth it to add F250 front shock mounts. Also would love to hear from anyone running Rancho RS9000 shocks. These seem like a good option, they're adjustable, and can be found for $320 shipped for a set of 4, which makes them a good bit cheaper than the Bilsteins.

Thanks!

 

[kiddingknot]

I have a 73 uncut unlifted Ranger, automatic trans, with 302. It is completely original except for the soft top, second coat of paint, and role cage, and I'm only using it as a daily driver street machine. I love the way it looks now and I will not take it off road so I see no reason to lift it or put big tires on it. It is very stiff as it is, and takes every bump in the road (brick streets) very hard. My question to the group is, what recommendations would you make to improve my ride just for street handling? Would they be the same as those at the start of this thread? I didn't know if those recommendations were related to being lifted and running big tires. I don't care what it costs me (within reason of course) because I love this truck.

 

[Fireball05]

If it really is the original 40 year old suspension, any of the stock height kits will be a huge improvement.

Wild Horses and JBG both offer a 0" or stock kit that should work well for your application. The WH has a 10-leaf rear and progressive fronts and the JBG looks to be 5 leaf rear and linear front coils which is same as original I believe. So theoretically, the WH kit should be a bit softer riding.

 

[bronconut73]

Good information everyone. I am doing a fair bit of research for my upcoming 2.5" SL. Been comparing some of the vendor offerings, lots of info out there, some of it straightforward, some rather confusing!

On my 76, it sounds like the consensus is that I'll likely get away without any driveline mods or trac bar or tie rod issues. From my research, it sounds like some folks have had to fix issues with these when going 2.5" lift but most don't.

I'm still debating if the cost/hassle is worth it to add F250 front shock mounts. Also would love to hear from anyone running Rancho RS9000 shocks. These seem like a good option, they're adjustable, and can be found for $320 shipped for a set of 4, which makes them a good bit cheaper than the Bilsteins.

Thanks!

I did the F-250 mounts and RS 9000's and am very happy. I am running linear rate coils.