Scavenger Lifts Anyone?

[bred.thoroughs]

Everyone, I'm new to the 4x4 scene, and do not yet know all that much. However, I have 2 bronco's (1990 and 1995) and a 1989 F-150. I want to do a lift on all of them, but am doing everything on a POOR MAN'S budget.

I am only seeking a 3 of 4 inch lift and was wondering if the parts could be found a junks yards. Could you use lager coils, rear springs from a larger truck such as a F-350, Dually's, or Motor Homes, etc? If so, how would I know what would work best?

 

[bigbluebronc]

Dont have any info but love the idea, I know the Toyota guys use some rear leaf springs from chevys, I have a toyota steering box on my eb. What ever you find out please post in the tech area! ThanksBBB

 

[btchplz78357]

I know leaf springs from a chevy are longer than ford but measure yours than look for some that are longer. Might be kind of hard to get them to flex though. Thats the same thing I was about to do when I found a good deal on Ebay. The truck that I was gonna get them from was an 80's 1 ton chevy. If you can weld, you can also try dropping the buckets in the front and moving the shackles closer together in the rear. I've seen that done to some trucks in Spring Break.

 

[bred.thoroughs]

I know leaf springs from a chevy are longer than ford but measure yours than look for some that are longer. Might be kind of hard to get them to flex though. Thats the same thing I was about to do when I found a good deal on Ebay. The truck that I was gonna get them from was an 80's 1 ton chevy. If you can weld, you can also try dropping the buckets in the front and moving the shackles closer together in the rear. I've seen that done to some trucks in Spring Break.

The rear leafs are not much of a problem as you can just block them. I also found a guy in the Featured section here that achived 4 inches with F-250 leafs.

However, I'm quite unsure of the dynamics involved when it comes to front coils. F-350 or E series coils will achive greater hieght, but how do I measure to know the differance after contraction\compression?

 

[Broncobill78]

Here's a thread worth reading:

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

You can find larger,taller,bigger (whatever) parts in the junkyards but some thought has to be given to just bolting them on & driving away. Rear suspension isn't a very big deal because as was noted you can get away with E-series or 250/350 springs but generally speaking blocks are even cheaper. The front however is a whole different ballgame. If you want to be able to align the front end & avoid dealing with bump-steer then you'll have to either buy or fabricate the drop brackets you'll need with 4+ inches of lift. There's just no way around it if you want the thing to drive straight.

 

[Yardape]

Or you can do what I did, SAS with leaf springs in the front and F350 leafs in the rear. Got 4.5 inches from that, I also have a 3 inch body lift. So 7.5 inches for dirt cheap, only need fab skills.