stock 86 B2 2'' suspension lift question

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

[5.0B2]

The mights and coulds are mights and coulds - If you get "clunks" from the shocks then they were too short - I ran the 30x9.50.15's on my 84 for 5 years with the 2.8, 3.73 gears, and c5 automatic without problems. My son broke two rear driveshaft ends on his with a stick shift and a lead foot.

[80351]

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. on the rear he said the 2" blocks could cause drive shaft vibration and that the blocks could slide on axle. 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. 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 have a 90 2.9 2.5 lift 31X10.5/15 BFG's. Front is up with the spacers that go on the bottom spring seat. The rear was up with 2" blocks until I broke 1 of the leaf springs (not lift related) and replaced with Explorer springs.
When I replaced the springs I found that the blocks had cracked right in half.
Rear spacer blocks at least the aluminum ones are not good for off roading.
As for the shocks normally if you look at someone like Rough Country the shocks are listed 0-2". I have basically the stock length shocks and have not had any problems with bottoming or hitting.
The leaf springs I bought from Auto Zone and put 2 more leafs in them.
If you want more info on the leaf spring replacement you can go to
www.therangerstation.com . Go to forums, tech library, down the center column to lifts for cheap, all the way down the bottom is explorer leaf swap.
Cost me I think less than 200 bucks.
Hope this helps.
If you need more PM me.

[rebocardo]

> i want to install a 2" coil spring spacer in front

That is 'wack" stuff, just get some Explorer springs.

> and a 2" steel block leaf spring in the rear.

Not recommended, just use Explorer 4 dr leaf springs.

> i would need to put on 4 new [longer]shocks on
> new rancho shocks on less the 5K ago

Maybe, maybe not. Look up the shock in the Rancho catalog and see what it lists for the max. compression and extension limit. Many of the Ranchero shocks are designed for a 4" lift!

> that i may need to lenghten the steering.

Your steering shaft goes from the body to a box mounted on the frame. I don't see where the suspension comes into play, then again I don't work at Pepboys or Big O

A drop pitman arm, since it is actually attached to the suspension, maybe, I doubt it. Lengthen the steering, I think not unless you did a body lift.

> on the rear he said the 2" blocks could cause drive shaft vibration

It can on the Bronco II just because it is a very short shaft. Most people do not have a problem. The biggest problem is the length of the slip joint.

> he also said the 30/9.50/15 tires are too big for the 2.9. whats with that.

If you have 3.73 or 4.10 gears it is no problem. They are a tad large for the 3.45 ratio, especially if you have an automatic and tow.

But for this

> only use the B2 for hunting,no hard 4 wheeling.

They are fine.

[80351]

You DO NOT HAVE TO change the Pitman arm
DO NOT put blocks on the back they crack
You DO NOT have to change the steering shaft, drive shaft
You CAN USE the same shocks you have now
DON'T worry about the slip joint.
A 2 inch lift is the most you can do without having to do anything else.
Go to the MD chapter thread. Look for the thread marked members photo gallery.There will be a bunch of shots of fire trucks keep going, I have the blue full size, next is my red BII, with 31.50X10.5/15's and I do have 373 gears.
Believe me I did this 3 years ago and it still rides fine.
Actually this has been my daily driver for the last 5 years. The only reason I don't drive daily now is because the motor is going (2K+ miles) and has been.
If you still have all these doubts and questions the go over to The Ranger Station everybody there has Ranger based trucks.
If I would have had to change all that crap it wouldn't have been lifted $$$$$$$$ I didn't have many.

And again I DO WHEEL mine

[DesertStorm]

On my 85 I had the factory 4.10 gears and L/S. I put on a 2" body lift in about 4 hours, slapped on some 31x10.50r15 TSLs and wheeled the crap out of it for 3 years. No probs. My dad is still driving it today. Same setup minus TSL's. 2.8L auto. Got 160K on the clock. Darn good truck

[80351]

Originally Posted by DesertStorm

On my 85 I had the factory 4.10 gears and L/S. I put on a 2" body lift in about 4 hours, slapped on some 31x10.50r15 TSLs and wheeled the crap out of it for 3 years. No probs. My dad is still driving it today. Same setup minus TSL's. 2.8L auto. Got 160K on the clock. Darn good truck

Body lifts are illegal in the state of Maryland and as I have a state inspectors license although for trailers and the cops are A**holes it could reflect on my licensing which is not needed.

[80351]

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

Hope this works if so here is my 90 BII

[DesertStorm]

Originally Posted by 80351

Body lifts are illegal in the state of Maryland and as I have a state inspectors license although for trailers and the cops are A**holes it could reflect on my licensing which is not needed.

big10-4 on that

[DesertStorm]

Originally Posted by 80351

Hope this works if so here is my 90 BII

Sharp ride my friend.

[tbolt 460]

good lookin B2, except for the ranger visor

[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.

[tbolt 460]

theres 3 different visors for the rangers/B2's, you still have the cut outs

[80351]

Yep, Interested?
They are from Duff and are the ABS ones.
I'll have to look and see what I have in them coast wise
but it was cheap and I'm tired of them being in my way.

[tbolt 460]

maybe, how much