Suspension Advice - 69 Sport

[Tias]

I am in the process of my first vehicle project, which turns out to be a 69 Sport. I purchased my Bronco in a disassembled state and without engine/transmission. I am working through the body work and hope to split the tub and frame in the next few weeks.

It has been lifted, and currently sits at 11" between the top of the front axle and the bottom of the frame. However, this is without the drivetrain and a completely empty engine bay. I am not sure where the truck will settle once complete, but the PO was running 33s and the front and rear fenders are cut, so I am guessing this is either a 2 1/2" or 3 1/2" lift.

The front axle has two shocks per side, with a bracket welded onto the front side of the shock tower for the front shock.

The rear axle has one shock per side and 6 leaf springs.

Here are photos of the setup: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zLs5nJ23qghATN9M7

All of the shocks are Mountain Ryder Extreme VST shocks. I googled these shocks and the old info available on them doesn't include much praise for them. Plus, considering the truck sat disassembled for about 15 years, the shocks are up for replacement.

So, I am looking for a bit of advice on which way to go with the suspension. I plan on running 33s and do not plan on adding a body lift. The truck will be mainly road use with some light wheeling. After a bit of research I have come up with the following options:

1. Stick with the current lift configuration, but replace the shocks (Bilstein 5100s seem to be popular). Possibly replace the spring leafs as well. Cheapest option, but never having driven the truck, I am not sure how well the current configuration drives and how much of a difference the newer suspension lift kits would make.

2. Replace the current lift with a 2.5" lift with one of these:
a. single shocks in the front, 11 leaf pack springs in the back
b. two shocks per side in the front using front shock hoops, 11 leaf springs in the back with one shock per side

3. Replace the current lift with a 3.5" lift

What do you guys think?

 

[Dbarnes72]

2.5 lift with a 1" body bushing lift is a pretty popular combination and will provide plenty of room for the tires and some bonus clearance for working under the rig. All the vendors have complete setups and the Wild Horses body bushing kits are the gold standard.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, if you are in the middle of grinding, welding, body work and paint mods, why not keep the old parts for now, and put the new stuff in after the dirty work is over? Why risk getting over spray on the new stuff? You will see more Broncos and get more ideas by then.
Good luck

 

[Tias]

Hi, if you are in the middle of grinding, welding, body work and paint mods, why not keep the old parts for now, and put the new stuff in after the dirty work is over? Why risk getting over spray on the new stuff? You will see more Broncos and get more ideas by then.
Good luck

That is the plan... sort of. I am almost done tackling the rockers and the floors are done. If all goes well, I should be ready to move to frame mods soon, including suspension. I am leaning towards a 2.5" lift and going with a newer setup if the newer lift kit configurations offer a better ride over just renewing the wear components on the existing setup.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Your present system is a gut buster!
That's a add-a-leaf rear lift. The added spring is arced much more than the rest of the spring pack. It does lift the vehicle, but it puts the leaved in a bind.
A lot of us were sold those lifts with dual shocks back in the '80s. After I installed mine, it knocked out most of the light bulb filaments within a month.
The original five leaf setup rode and handled ok, but the newer ten & eleven leaf rear springs and variable rate front springs ride much better.

 

[SteveL]

What are you gonna do with the bronco? I will be a big factor in the decision. If just cruising on pavement with 33s a 2 1/2" lift could work. If going off road with any kind of wheel travel you're gonna need more clearance/lift whether suspension or b/l. Depending on the application you can buy the proper bump stops to keep from rubbing. For shocks unless you're desert racing just go with good singles. Take the $ you'd be spending on shock hoops and buy some decent bilstiens or rancho 9000s and you'll have a better all around ride. If you want to run a longer than stock shock up front to may have your springs get the f-250 mounts.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, a nice 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 lift is a personal preference.
With a big lift and taller tires you and your passenger will be climbing up into the Bronco.
Get the catalogs from the vendors here and come up with a plan. There are complete kits with parts that work together.
As mentioned, that super thick lower spring has to go.
I noticed the Trac bar drop is not welded in. If you keep it get it welded permanently.
Good luck

 

[Tias]

What are you gonna do with the bronco? I will be a big factor in the decision. If just cruising on pavement with 33s a 2 1/2" lift could work. If going off road with any kind of wheel travel you're gonna need more clearance/lift whether suspension or b/l. Depending on the application you can buy the proper bump stops to keep from rubbing. For shocks unless you're desert racing just go with good singles. Take the $ you'd be spending on shock hoops and buy some decent bilstiens or rancho 9000s and you'll have a better all around ride. If you want to run a longer than stock shock up front to may have your springs get the f-250 mounts.

It'll primarily be on the road use. Thanks for the input, it is very helpful. I won't be doing any desert racing or serious wheeling, so I think I will be going for the single shocks on the front. Thanks again!

 

[Tias]

Your present system is a gut buster!
That's a add-a-leaf rear lift. The added spring is arced much more than the rest of the spring pack. It does lift the vehicle, but it puts the leaved in a bind.
A lot of us were sold those lifts with dual shocks back in the '80s. After I installed mine, it knocked out most of the light bulb filaments within a month.
The original five leaf setup rode and handled ok, but the newer ten & eleven leaf rear springs and variable rate front springs ride much better.

That is exactly what I needed to know. The spring packs are now on the "buy list".