Start Your Go-Fast Build-Front Suspension

[Nick]

Hey Would using f250 shock towers work just as good as shock towers? It seems I would have to move less under the hood.

Like this

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_li ... ktower.htm

I've seen that done several times. Very similiar to what Billy1911 did on his truck. Hopefully he sees this, and posts some pics.

[Dezertbronco]

Here are some we build at our shop, good for 4"-5" of lift. Stock width and we make them in three different styles,
-Street Beams, no truss.
-Prerunner beams, trussed
-Race beams, trussed & uni-balls

Dale PM me a price on a set of those. if you could include prices for all 3, and a price on arms as well.

[drj777]

ok...so i have been getting some conflicting information regarding my beginning setup.

i was gonna start simple with a set of DEAVER coils & leafs and some entry level bilsteins...then, in the future possibly upgrade to coilovers.

earlier today i was told that lifting the bronco 5+" is too tall for a "baja chase-runner"...

but the more i poke around here, the more it seems like MOST folks go with the DEAVER setup.
naturally, i also planned on C/T beams, shackles, straps & extended radius arms to boot.

so, am i crazy...or do i need a 2nd & 3rd opinion?

drj

[D1cker1]

ok...so i have been getting some conflicting information regarding my beginning setup.

i was gonna start simple with a set of DEAVER coils & leafs and some entry level bilsteins...then, in the future possibly upgrade to coilovers.

earlier today i was told that lifting the bronco 5+" is too tall for a "baja chase-runner"...

but the more i poke around here, the more it seems like MOST folks go with the DEAVER setup.
naturally, i also planned on C/T beams, shackles, straps & extended radius arms to boot.

so, am i crazy...or do i need a 2nd & 3rd opinion?

drj

4" is the most ideal for a true

[Dust]

ok...so i have been getting some conflicting information regarding my beginning setup.

i was gonna start simple with a set of DEAVER coils & leafs and some entry level bilsteins...then, in the future possibly upgrade to coilovers.

earlier today i was told that lifting the bronco 5+" is too tall for a "baja chase-runner"...

but the more i poke around here, the more it seems like MOST folks go with the DEAVER setup.
naturally, i also planned on C/T beams, shackles, straps & extended radius arms to boot.

so, am i crazy...or do i need a 2nd & 3rd opinion?

drj

I'm going with the Deavers

[drj777]

ok...so 4" is ideal...perhaps a DEAVER 4" setup?!

drj

[RyanDS650X]

The static height of the Deaver spring is taller than most but its also a softer rate. Once the Deavers settle they are very close in ride height to the other 4" springs like say Rancho or Superlift. If you decide on the Deavers limit straps are a great idea.

[drj777]

The static height of the Deaver spring is taller than most but its also a softer rate. Once the Deavers settle they are very close in ride height to the other 4" springs like say Rancho or Superlift. If you decide on the Deavers limit straps are a great idea.

thats a BIG 10-4!!
thanks

drj

[SteveG]

but the more i poke around here, the more it seems like MOST folks go with the DEAVER setup.

I don't keep track of what everyone is using, but coil selection seems to be all over the place. Start with figuring out what you want for ride-height and go from there.

[drj777]

thanks Steve!

the more folks i talk to - the more concise "the plan" is becoming...
ive learned there are quite a few differing opinions on this subject.

drj

[PaulW]

Its been said. That is the amount of lift is builders choice. Want an engineering input?
Answer is you want the truck to ride as low as possible and still take advantage of the TTB maximum travel. So what to do? Answers vary race vs chase/prerun. For chase/prerun sure is nice to have AC. So trim the heater and use 35s thrn relive the crossover joint and you get 18". Then adjust your dual rate coilovers and hydraulic bumps to allow the rt tire to just touch the fender liner. Many of us have that setup and none of us know what lift we have because it is not relavent. Its the best we can do.
For a racer then 37s are the deal and the heater and AC are gone. The racers have more engineering changes like lowering the engine and moving it back and altering the WB Of course all within the rules which is =/- 2". The racers gets the crossover steering as well. The rear gets the ultimate mod for coilovers and links just like Dave Moore did.
Both setups require a prerunner bumper so no issue with the stock bumper.
PaulW

[SteveG]

Good comments, Paul.

Here is some more info to keep in mind. These comments are referring to Ranger 2wd kits. The effects are not as dramatic on a Bronco but the same principles apply.

A lot of folks ask us if we can align the beams for a 5" lift for 2WD trucks. That much more camber correction is not safe to do in my professional opinion. Also more camber correction causes the beam to be shorter in length. This affects how much room you have for shocks and springs etc. Plus you create tire turning clearance problems. We have plans for a 6" but it will involve custom beams and tubular radius arms and, don't forget, definitely cost more.

Taken from here: http://www.autofab.com/econo2wd.htm

For me it would come down to tire size. A 33" tire will not require as much lift and clearance as a 35 will.

[philofab]

3-4" of height in the front should give you plenty of bump travel, which is important for a nice and safe ride. Unless you linked in the back, the rear will limit your speed before the front will.

Even if you are linked the drive shaft will become the limiting factor. I don't know what you guys prefer but I'd rather bottom the front out and hit it's limits before the rear suspension. The rear bucking and kicking is the most difficult situation to drive out of.

[drj777]

3-4" of height in the front should give you plenty of bump travel, which is important for a nice and safe ride. Unless you linked in the back, the rear will limit your speed before the front will.

Even if you are linked the drive shaft will become the limiting factor. I don't know what you guys prefer but I'd rather bottom the front out and hit it's limits before the rear suspension. The rear bucking and kicking is the most difficult situation to drive out of.

thanks, good info!

drj

[Joxracing]

Hey Would using f250 shock towers work just as good as shock towers? It seems I would have to move less under the hood.

Like this

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_li ... ktower.htm

I've seen that done several times. Very similiar to what Billy1911 did on his truck. Hopefully he sees this, and posts some pics.

This is what i did, the do provide a good base. The only problem i had was the camps on my FOA's would rub against the tower, which required some grinding. The bold hole is also to small, and needs to be drilled a size bigger.

[84fsb]

I already have rancho old style straight radius arms and 4inch lift springs. Can I use them for a c/t setup? rancho arms,springs,c/t beams,bilstien 5100's,extended brake lines and limiting straps.

my bronco isnt going to be a prerunner persay but i would like it to handle well on dirt roads 25-30mph without bashing me to death. I am considering c/t because of the ground clearance and if i ever decided to go full prerunner i will have a good base lift to start with(minus the rear leaves). any imput is greatly appreciated

[damon1272]

There is no reason why they cannot be used even with a C&T. Others here have done the same thing.

[PaulW]

There is no reason why they cannot be used even with a C&T. Others here have done the same thing.

====
Correct, however if used like the rest of us, say in the San Felipe whoops, the Radius arms will need plating and beef up. Even the mild steel ones built by the pros have bent them with mild steel and full plating.
PaulW

[DirtFiend602]

There is no reason why they cannot be used even with a C&T. Others here have done the same thing.

====
Correct, however if used like the rest of us, say in the San Felipe whoops, the Radius arms will need plating and beef up. Even the mild steel ones built by the pros have bent them with mild steel and full plating.
PaulW

These are superlift arms that I got from SteveG ( thanks Steve ), and I boxed and plated them, the truck will most definitely be abused, so we'll see how they hold up. they are being run with stock width cut and turns.

[convoy]

3-4" of height in the front should give you plenty of bump travel, which is important for a nice and safe ride. Unless you linked in the back, the rear will limit your speed before the front will.

3"-4" over stock would put you where, in respect to full bump contact?