Front End Lift

[michibronc]

I just got new leafs put on the back of my 96 (it has 90,000 miles on it). The rear used to be perfectly level with the front but the leafs were real tired. After putting the new leaf springs on the back, the rear seems a little too high. I really like the added stiffness and height in the rear but want to bring the front up closer to level. I need to get about 2 inches of height in the front, I figure. What all should I get? I know that there's alignment issues if I change from stock height too much.

I think that some of those 1.5" taller springs that superlift sells would be about perfect but don't want to get into big alignment issues. Any advice on what to buy / do?

 

[bidibronco]

http://broncozone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11092 here you go...

 

[michibronc]

Has anyone had experience with these adjustable bushings with the 2 inch lifts? I know some of the 2 inch lifts I see have drop brackets for the radius arms and TTB's, others just have these adjustable bushings. I'd like to be able to just use the extended springs / alignment bushings but don't want to waste money on them if it's a crappy solution. I just had gotten new rancho shocks before this whole spring mess started (stock height of course) and really want to be able to still use them too.

 

[89Bronco58]

haha well that pretty much explained that, but stock broncos are supposed to sit a little higher in the rear, you could get a level kit or a coil spacer and it would pick the front end up a bit, either way if you alter anything, your gonna need a full alignment $200+

 

[mbtech2003]

I just got new leafs put on the back of my 96 (it has 90,000 miles on it). The rear used to be perfectly level with the front but the leafs were real tired. After putting the new leaf springs on the back, the rear seems a little too high. I really like the added stiffness and height in the rear but want to bring the front up closer to level. I need to get about 2 inches of height in the front, I figure. What all should I get? I know that there's alignment issues if I change from stock height too much.
I think that some of those 1.5" taller springs that superlift sells would be about perfect but don't want to get into big alignment issues. Any advice on what to buy / do?

i'm having the same problem with my truck but it looks like 3 inches higher!!!! springs were from broncograveyard too. they wont take them back because i installed them but their defiantly the wrong ones. also the old springs were 5 leaf and the new ones are 4 leaf :blink: what gives anybody know where i can get the correct springs for a stock hight truck?? ford discontuined them so i cant buy them form them :glare: and no i dont want to lift the front i like the hight of the truck before.

 

[michibronc]

i'm having the same problem with my truck but it looks like 3 inches higher!!!! springs were from broncograveyard too. they wont take them back because i installed them but their defiantly the wrong ones. also the old springs were 5 leaf and the new ones are 4 leaf :blink: what gives anybody know where i can get the correct springs for a stock hight truck?? ford discontuined them so i cant buy them form them :glare: and no i dont want to lift the front i like the hight of the truck before.

I got put in the same situation. I'm going to fix it by getting what my spring shop calls "cargo springs" for the front. I guess they're variable rate coils so that there's a mushy part of the spring at the beginning for highway ride and they get stiffer as they are pushed further for off roading. I'll let you know how it goes. The rear shocks (which are stock) seem to be OK because they're not extending out too far, so I'm hoping the front follow suit!

I'm going tomorrow (MON) afternoon to get them. 300 installed. Probably a bit much but it's a reputable shop and they will work on it until it's right for as long as you own the truck. Aside from the extra height, the new rear leafs are vastly superior to the old. They're quite a bit beefier. It handles like a dream compared to what it used to. I can't wait until the front is done as well.

I'll get back to you on the outcome. I know they said that they could make my rear springs sit a little lower if they pulled them off and bent the front connection a bit. I don't think I'll have them do it, but it's something you may want to talk to a local spring shop to have them do. I'd go to the high end shop because the more commercial places probably won't touch the springs since you didn't buy them there.

I think you could also ask for some longer shackles in the back. Maybe you'll be able to locate, maybe not. A local shop would know. Looking underneath my '96, I don't think you have clearance to lose 3 inches that way though.

 

[89Bronco58]

i dont think the cargo springs are going to lift your truck up any, and 3 inches is alot of lift for a stock front end, you are going to ruin your alignment, also your tries, and stress everything in your front end, it will brake ******* steer horrible, and wear everything out prematurely, but if the springs dont give lift then you will be fine with putting them in but you wont have the same height as the rear

 

[michibronc]

i dont think the cargo springs are going to lift your truck up any, and 3 inches is alot of lift for a stock front end, you are going to ruin your alignment, also your tries, and stress everything in your front end, it will brake ******* steer horrible, and wear everything out prematurely, but if the springs dont give lift then you will be fine with putting them in but you wont have the same height as the rear

I'm hoping to get about 2 inches of lift from the new springs. That way I should be able to use some of those adjustable bushings to get the alignment back (hopefully). I think the front end has sagged about an inch below what it was stock and that's why the rear end looks so high right now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Worst case scenario I'll have to get some brackets to drop down the TTB's and radius arms I guess.

 

[89Bronco58]

yea you should ef dot hat, even 2 inches is going to ruin your whole front end just so you know, it may apprear to be okay but it really wont be TTB front ends are overly sensitive to any adjustment, if u put 2 inch longer springs you will need radius arm drop brackets, TTB drop brackets, pitman arm drop brackets, 2 in lift shocks, and i would get extended brake lines, thats going to be the best and correct way to do it

 

[michibronc]

Well, I got my front springs put on. I ended up getting 1.25' of lift in front which actually looks pretty good. I think the rear seemed to sit so high because the fronts were kind of tired first. There's such an improvement in ride, handling, and braking that I don't even think I'm going to go for an alignment - I must've got lucky! It doesn't pull or appear to have bad camber, so I'll take it.

I don't know how much "lift" I got from the '96 specs - probably an inch in front and two in the rear (assuming it sat level to start with). I'm pretty amazed what new springs did for the performance, though. It even rides quieter and has fewer "crashing" bumps. My driveshaft even runs smoother than it did before - my high speed shimmy is all but gone.

Can't wait to get to the upper peninsula and hit it hard!

Matt

 

[Justshootme84]

I would still get an alignment, check the camber, caster and toe-in. If the frontend is a tad off, your tires will wear out alot faster than normal. You'll also want to keep a close tab on the alignment. With the taller springs and no adjustable bushings, the alignment can easily change just from a bump, RR crossing, or out of shear meanness. IF you get a lifetime alignment, go back every 3-4 months or 10,000 miles. Good luck with the new springs, alot of folks have quite a bit of trouble keeping the alingment true for very long. If your stock camber bushings are concentric with the hole right through the middle, you should be OK for awhile. The eccentric or offset-hole businhgs usually don't have enough adjustment for 1" or taller coil springs, JSM84

 

[89Bronco58]

yea he needs to do what i did and go to broncograveyard.com and get the special super adjustable shims for the camber and then pay the 300 bucks for a lifetime alignment, its the only way, unless he goes straight axle >

 

[michibronc]

TY for all your good advice, guys. I'm going to invest in the lifetime alignment plan. I guess I'll wait for the alignment shop to tell me if I need any shims or adjustable bushings and go from there. 89Bronco58, do you happen to have a link for the shims you're talking about?

I just can't believe how much better it handles and rides. My old springs must have been screwed. I even hauled a load of gravel in a trailer last night (lots of tongue wt.) and it did it with ease compared to what it used to - no sagging.

The SAS is looking more tempting, but I don't think I wheel hard enough to justify. This TTB is a PITA!

 

[89Bronco58]

you dont need to wheel hard to need a straight axle, if u swapped that, youd have virtually no alignment problems ever, better steering,handling,and better stability, but here is the link for the adjustable shim bushings http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-33520_...shings_pair.htm