3 1/2 lifts- What's the difference?

[bigjake]

All,

Let me preface this with the fact that I am totally new to custom 4x4's. I know a fair amount about classics though. My first vehicle was an early '67 Chevy short-wide (small window) pro-street and my second car was a '66 Mustang.

I just bought my first 4x4 last week ('69 stock Bronco, 302) and I'm trying to figure out what to do for a lift (on a budget). I selected these two kit makers because they seem popular with other EB owners and they advertize kits that seem to be in my price and usage range. Maybe you can recommend someone I should have looked at.

You'll want to know that I intend to do power steering, brake booster and add 33'x12.5 all terrains. Basically, I live in the city and I want to have a highway-worthy vehicle that will take me far away from civilization when I ask it to...

I hope some other first-time EB owners get as much back from your responses as I do...

Here's what I get for a little bit of money:

Duff:

SYSTEM B: Bronco 3.5" Suspension $459.00

3.5" Progressive Rate Coils, 6.25

 

[STLKIKN]

Hey bigjake,

It looks like you are headed in the right direction....

stay away from the big name lift mfgs, none of them make a truly EB specific lift.

Another option to throw into your choices would be Jeffs Bronco Graveyard.

You are correct in assuming that the systems are competitively priced as they are comparable to each other.

I think the main difference in the first two kits would be the variable rate coils.

The second kits are a different story...

Unless the supplied shocks are adjustable (ie Rancho 9000s or Procomp MX6)

You will probably find them to ride exceptionally stiff for a daily driver.

The small add a leafs will give the lift without adding a lot of stiffnes or extra load capacity.

The 11 pack leafs are engineered to ride closer to stock and have more flex, along with the fact that you get a new leaf to replace your old possibly tired spring pack, instead of trying to boost it with a new leaf.

The kits you mention are just entry level stuff... they will probably do just fine for you for now. If/ when you start trying harder trails, more rocks, or using your truck for more than just the occasional jaunt to the hills, you will probably end up with one of the more expensive kits in the future... ( just the nature of the beast I'm sorry to tell you.)

Personally, I am not a big fan of variable/ progressive rate coils, I prefer a coil engineered to be tall and have a factory ride quality throughout its travel.

(ie JBG superflex coils)

There are other opinions and more options out there, hopefully others will add theirs to this post.

 

[Bully Bob]

Jake,

Call one or more of the suppliers BEFORE you select one. Ask their tech rep for ALL the "pit-falls" of doing a lift. Very helpful knowing this info. up front.

Ask about rear dr. shaft angle problems, front bump-steer corrections & track bar alignment, & drop pitman arm. ....all these things are extra work & $$.

I went with a 2.5 " lift with the 11 pac rear spgs. The end result is great & the ride is so close to stock I can't tell the difference. But, I have nearly $1000 in lift after corrections.

Don't think you'll be happy with add-a-leafs.

You can always add shocks later if you feel the need.

I got my kit from another Bronco specific supplier but had to email Brian at Wild Horses....he walked me thru some of the problems.

I don't think any of them supply instructions for liability reasons.

HTH

Bob

 

[S_bolt19]

First thing you gotta do is talk to the companies and find out what is actually going to happen. With a 3.5" lift, it will change geometry on your steering, driveshafts as well as lengthen out the brake lines, etc. You need to know exactly what you are going to need before you get too deep into this and not be able to come back out.

As far as the leaf vs. the add-a-leaf, you won't like the adds in about 3 months time. That and the fact you gotta take apart the spring pack to get them in. New springs is the way to go, bar none. Adds tend to sag quicker than the new leaf springs do. The double shock set up is pretty much over **** as well. Unless you are going to do serious mudding or rock racing, a single Rancho 5000 or 9000 or ProComp middle or high end shock will do more than enough dampening. The other thing with duals is they tend to ride rougher than a single shock because it takes more to compress 2 vs. 1.

As far as which kit is better, there are people who will argue for both. I have ridden in vehicles with both kits and I like the ride and flexibility of the WH brand better. So with that said, I would get the $650 WH kit over either of the 2 Duff kits.

But make sure you find out what all is entaled in doing the lift or it can turn into a headache.

 

[Bandit]

All,
Let me preface this with the fact that I am totally new to custom 4x4's. I know a fair amount about classics though. My first vehicle was an early '67 Chevy short-wide (small window) pro-street and my second car was a '66 Mustang.

I just bought my first 4x4 last week ('69 stock Bronco, 302) and I'm trying to figure out what to do for a lift (on a budget). I selected these two kit makers because they seem popular with other EB owners and they advertize kits that seem to be in my price and usage range. Maybe you can recommend someone I should have looked at.

You'll want to know that I intend to do power steering, brake booster and add 33'x12.5 all terrains. Basically, I live in the city and I want to have a highway-worthy vehicle that will take me far away from civilization when I ask it to...

I hope some other first-time EB owners get as much back from your responses as I do...

Here's what I get for a little bit of money:

Duff:

SYSTEM B: Bronco 3.5" Suspension $459.00

3.5" Progressive Rate Coils, 6.25

 

[Broncoholics]

Talk to Jim from Cage Offroad http://www.cageoffroad.com/home.html

You can always peace meal all the good parts into one bad ass Bronco. I'd say use Cage arms, BC Bronco coils, Duff's extended shock hoops that use 2" body lift height, Duff shocks (one per corner), Duff's rear shock hoop, rear leafs by who ever, they are all spendy.

I used to run Wildhorses coils, then Duff. The Duff to me were the same but flexed a bit further for some reason. Add-a-leafs will creat a stiff ride and limit flex. Coil in the rear is always a good bet if you weld.

 

[bigjake]

Hey all,

Thanks for the great input. Yesterday, I ordered the Standard Deluxe Package from Jeff's Bronco Graveyard (Thanks to STLKIKN for the recommendation!). That package isn't on their website, but it's with the 11 pack leafs, linear-rate coils, 4 Doetsch Tech shocks, adjustable track arm, drop pitman arm, extended brake lines and bushings for about $50 cheaper than the Ultra Deluxe kit with the additional components purchased seperately (i.e. Brake lines, shocks, drop pitman arm). The only difference was that the Standard Deluxe kit doesn't come set up for dual shocks (which I don't think I need anyway). The real benefit seems that it comes with linear-rate coils instead of the progressive rate coils... and it costs less.

Again, Thanks for your knowledge. I hope that other stock Bronco owners trying to research which avenue to take with their first lift will find your input as valuable as I did.

Now I just have to figure out how to pay for the tires and wheels 8^]>

Jake

 

[Broncoholics]

When is the install? Let us know how well it rides and handles off road.

 

[bigjake]

I'm supposed to get them tomorrow so maybe by the end of next week. Those guys from Jeff's Bronco Graveyard really seem to be on top of things! I'm helping a buddy lift his YJ on Monday and then we'll do mine later in the week.

By the way... I found a kick-ass deal on wheels and tires in case anyone is looking for both. I got ProComp 33/12.50/15 Mudders (mounted, balanced, caps, lug nuts and stems) and black ProComp D-window wheels for the cost of just the tires! I was shopping around for BFGs when I came across this deal at 4wheelparts. I couldn't resist but to save myself $400. I don't know how long this goes, but you can check it out the deal online at Wheel Deal