Which 3.5 inch suspension lift should I buy

[BroncoNola]

Hey guys... I'm looking for some help trying to decide if I should go with a duff 3.5 inch suspension lift system, or do y'all recommend going with another?? It's for a 1977 Bronco. I appreciate any help!

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi Nola, welcome...!

What really works great is the 11 pack rear leafs & progressive front coils.

Most all the major EB suppliers have them (not sure 'bout Duffs)

These "new-school" lifts are "state-of-the-art" & ride as well or better than stock.

Shock hoops & extra shocks aren't really necessary except maybe for rock crawl'n.

Toms & Wildhorses (EB stores) are on the "left coast" .., to name a few.

JBG is on the "right coast".

NOTE; usually, 3.5 lifts & up, req. several other suspension, steering, & driveline mods. >< <'>

 

[BroncoNola]

Thanks Bully Bob! I really appreciate your help! I'm trying to figure out which suspension lift system I should go with. I have a 1977 Bronco with a 351Windsor with a stock 2" body lift with 31" BF Good tires, and would like to be able put on 35" Mickey Thompson.

 

[Bully Bob]

"...with a stock 2" body lift."

There is no STOCK 2" body lift. The stock body mounts may be 1" or there 'bouts.

The aft. mkt. body lifts are 1", 2", & 3" (taller than stock).

Double check (Mounts) to see what you have.

35's may req. a gear change in the diffs. Do you know what gearing you now have..?

BTW..., what is your intended use for this rig...? That would come into play as to what lift to get.

 

[BroncoNola]

I'm pretty sure it's a 2" lift bc it has a good amount of room on these 31" tires. What is the easiest way to check the mounts? I'm sorry, i'm new at this! I really appreciate your your time and help. The fenders were already cut as well. I'm just going to use it for weekend driving and trail riding. It has the stock 3 speed trans on the column, which I'm debating whether to just buy the 3 speed Hurst floor kit or go the whole 9 yards and drop a NV3550 5 speed. What would be your take on that?

 

[Bully Bob]

No problem.., we pop in here to help like-minded folks look'n for some fun in the dirt..!!

"What is the easiest way to check the mounts?"

If you crawl 'round under there, you'll see the rubber mounts where the frame mounts to the body. The two front ones are easy to see in the forward part of the wheel-well. Mine are about 3/4" thick. (stock)

NOTE: doing a body lift isn't easy & can affect the steering & radiator alignment.

I do pretty much what you intend. Rough trails & some hill climbs. If I do it, the others will follow. If I don't, they won't try.

I have 2.5" suspension lift W/32's ..... I wouldn't have done the lift except my radius arm bushings exploded so while I had it apart, I opted for new suspension.

"It has the stock 3 speed trans on the column, which I'm debating whether to just buy the 3 speed Hurst floor kit or go the whole 9 yards and drop a NV3550 5 speed"

Same here.., for many yrs. I've run the stock 3sp. with the Hurst floor shifter. Others will tell you the move to the floor is the best mod they've done.

The 3550 would be good for rock crawling & long freeway runn'n.

IMHO, it's overkill for what you're doing.

These rigs are "old-school" & real easy to work on. Mods however, can be tricky & a "rule of thumb" is; "Each change you make usually requires two more changes". :lol:

Post some pics if you can.., you may already have a suspension lift. Measure the distance fr. the frame to the front axle... >< <'>

 

[BroncoNola]

 

[Bully Bob]

Hmmmm..., via these pics, I don't think there's any lift on that vehicle. Show some more pics of front steering & suspension.

Clean rig.., & looks stock...!!! How good is that..!! >< <'>

 

[BroncoNola]

I appreciate the compliment on my rig! Wow... I thought they had at least some type of body lift on it. I will get some more pics to post.

The only thing I'm having trouble with is the carburetor. A friend of mine is going to rebuild it for me. It's a Motor Craft single barrel. If I wanted to bite the bullet and buy a new carb, what type would you recommend for a 351 Windsor?

 

[Bully Bob]

Don't know what state you're in., that makes a diff. as to mods as well.

In fact., complete your info./signature pages (see mine left & bottom).

That way others can jump in to help & know what you've got.

I would double/triple check to see if, in fact, that's a 351..

It looks completely stock & un-tampered with under the hood. (like a 302)

That's a stock two barrel carb. It's a "good" carb. & rare problems are usually the accel. pump, or the float/needle-n-seat. The accel. pump can develop cracks & debris may have collected in the needle-n-seat. The accel. pump is accessible from the outside.

That carb will serve you well.

However.., what leads you to believe there is a carb. issue..?

You may be better served doing an under hood eng. check-up first. As in inspect the charge system, the spark plugs & note their condition, the distributor/timing, belts, hoses. You know, all the basics.

 

[Bloodwulf]

An easy check for 302 vs 351 is to check the firing order. It should be cast into the intake manifold really close to the water inlet. Or you can identify the #1 plug wire on the distributor cap (#1 cylinder is front on left as your looking at the motor) and go to the next wire to the left and see which cylinder it is. #3 = 351, #5 = 302.

A 302 is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

A 351 is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

The double/triple check in my case was to take one of the valve covers off. Cast into the head by either the 2nd or 4th head bolt (depending on which head your looking at) will be 351 if its a 351. I definately have to agree with Bully Bob on this one. That looks very stock and intact. That leads me to believe that your motor is a 302. But check your firing order just in case.