stock 86 B2 2'' suspension lift question

[tbolt 460]

are they the cut out,bolt on ones

[80351]

Originally Posted by tbolt 460

maybe, how much

I'll have to look up my ebay receipt, I'll let you know
later today.

[tbolt 460]

Originally Posted by 80351

You know what? I didn't think I would like that, but
driving the big one, I really miss it.
It looks empty when looking out the windshield.
I bought a small set of rear flares on ebay for it, but
when I got them they were cut outs and I really don't
want to cut the wells out that far besides the wells
aren't that bad.

never mind, there cut outs. my body is to good to cut

[80351]

tbolt,

I would shoot you if you put these on that truck.
Matter of fact, I'd shoot you 2 or 3 times, that's
why I won't put them on. Granted there is some rust
on the lip and little piece down the bottom but know
where near enough for anything that drastic.

I think if mine looked like that about the only thing I
might do would be to hunt for a cowl induction hood
but that's all.

[tbolt 460]

hunt for a cowl induction hood huh

HMMMMMM. no that would look cool,seeing im gonna put a 302 in it

[tbolt 460]

i put the flexie flares on it. dont like um but it keeps the cop away

[80351]

Hey,

Instead of hi-jacking this guys thread anymore,
why don't we go over to the MD Feb B/S?

[HappyJack]

Originally Posted by hawken50

need opinions/advice: i have a stock 86 B2 eddie bauer 4x4 with 2.9 engine. i want to install a 2" coil spring spacer in front and a 2" steel block leaf spring in the rear. my local Big O dealer said that i would need to put on 4 new [longer]shocks on and that i may need to lenghten the steering.

Your shocks will most likely work for what you want to use it for. Shocks are used to limit wheel travel on many vehicles and your Rancho's should do fine if only a bit short. Real damage comes from the shocks being too long and bottoming out with the full weight of the vehicle under compression. Might have to jack the axle up a bit to hook up the shocks is all. If you wanted max flex you'd need to measure full extension with the shocks un hooked.

I like coil spacers and I made my own with large washers (I was only able to get a bit over an inch) for my 89. But I put a 2" rear long add a leaf and new front leveling coils and did use longer shocks when I did. And a new proper lenth double cardan rear drive shaft. The steering should have enough adjustment in it. You might need after market larger off set adjuster cams to obtain proper alignment.

Explorer front coils (I beleive there were at least two different ones) are made of thicker wire and wound tighter than your BII coils. They also have a shorter free standing height. They just don't compress or extend as much. So they will give you front lift and work with your shocks. How much lift depends on which Explorer coils you get and which Bronco II coils (there were a number of these also) you have now and the condition of each. The Explorer springs will give you a firmer ride but will not work as well (flex) off-road.


on the rear he said the 2" blocks could cause drive shaft vibration and that the blocks could slide on axle.


Rear blocks do promote axle wrap and cause leafs to break(mostly on older weeker leaf packs). But they also do well when installed with new or very good rear leafs and new, quallity u-bolts. They should be torqued properly and check again after 200-500 miles. And they put three different types of rear driveshafts in the rear of the Bronco II. The CV style is the least forgiving. Next would be the single u-joint shaft. And the most forgiving would be the double cardan rear shaft. So any rear lift could cause vibration depending on type and condition of your rear drive shaft. If you have the Cv style rear drive shaft I would plan on a upgrade to at least a single u-joint new shaft.

Again Bronco II and Explorer rear springs differ and there were a number of different spring packs used. The BII packs had thinner leafs and as a rule more leafs. The thinner/more leaf design has been used for years for longer travel suspensions.

I might offer another choice for the rear. Add a leafs are available in a short and long version. The short version is very close in cost to a block kit. Rides stiffer. And is easier to install than the rear Explorer springs. The long add a leaf is more expensive but rides much nicer.

my question is--- are any of these staements true and valid? i just put 4 new rancho shocks on less the 5K ago. he also said the 30/9.50/15 tires are too big for the 2.9. whats with that.

Should be a door sticker on your Bronoc II that has stock tire size and axle ratio code. There are places that you can plug those numbers into then put in the tire size you want to go to (in this case the 30" tall tire). You will then be given a range of axles ratio's (gears) to change to. My 89 did great with 30 X 9.50's and 4.11 gears. With stock gears, the lift and 30" tires, it had really bad fuel mpg.

thanks for any and all help. im just going for a new look and only use the B2 for hunting,no hard 4 wheeling. hawken 50

I hope this helps out. As you can see there are different points of view on this. Folks use these little trucks for different things. Dailly drivers to trailer queens. And it seems some states have rules that others don't. Bumper height or head light laws. So check what you have in CA first. I'm lucky and we don't even have smog checks in KS. And I do like body lifts if done properly. But as with rear block kits I would not use them on a old, worn, 20 year old truck suspension.

Let us know how this works out for you.