budget lift kit

muscletruck · #1 (**permalink**) 05-25-2009, 03:52 PM

any ideas for budget ways to lift an early bronco?

RCrawler · #2 (**permalink**) 05-25-2009, 06:45 PM

What are you planning on doing with it?

Jason

gfw1985 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 08:15 AM

People have come up with a lot of diff ways to do this, not all safe, but your best bet is a complete lift kit. Duff's sells a 3.5" suspension lift package for $460. Most of the vendors sell similar systems. If you only want a little extra clearance, body lifts can be had for $150 or less. Your life depends on your suspension, not a place to be too cheap.

muscletruck · #4 (**permalink**) 05-30-2009, 12:18 PM

just offroad. 73-79 f150 lift coils work for about 7" of lift but i think they are going to be way to stiff

RCrawler · #5 (**permalink**) 05-31-2009, 10:36 PM

You're not going to get 7" of lift from an F150 coil, only about 2" at the most.

What kind of off roading do you do with it? Mud, rocks, sand, combination? How much lift do you want from it? What size tire do you plan to run? How are your fabricating skills?

Jason

muscletruck · #6 (**permalink**) 05-31-2009, 11:56 PM

theyre 4" f150 lift coils. sorry i wasnt as specfic i should have been

Boba Fett · #7 (**permalink**) 06-01-2009, 10:57 PM

That coil swap isn't going to work unless you have in your build a high pinion rear-end install.... plus you are going to need longer raduis arms for the front....

I agree with gfw.... best low budget option is a bodly lift for two reasons... despite the fact that body lifts are considered ghetto these days because suspensions lift companies dominate the market due to Jeepers the 2" body lift is hands down one of the best first building blocks you can do with an EB... the reason is that after that is complete and you will have about 400 in parts with brake lines, extended clutch rod etc... you can run 33" tires...

then you can complete the next best swap to an EB which is the 351W swap because now you have the much needed two extra inches under you hood, which you will need if you swap in a 351W because a hood scoop is needed on the 302 if you run normal aluminium intake with a 4bbl and you dont want to use the expensive K&N pancake with a filter top.... IF you are talking strokers.... Why build a 347 when you can build a 408?

Then when you want to add some suspension lift you will only need the 3.5" lift to run 35s

Then when you get tired of running around with three speed and want to to the NV3550 swap you can without adding a high pinion rear... which for the 9 inch is a two thousand dollar centersection......

Body lifts migbt be out of vogue... but on a EB they are the way to start a build IMHO

RCrawler · #8 (**permalink**) 06-02-2009, 01:05 AM

Body lifts are just fine, except for all of the unforseen mods needed to finish the job right. Such as radiator hoses, shroud, fuel fill hoses, steering shaft. Not to mention the body gaps and the cow catcher bumper look. Body lifts are fine, IMO, if you're just after a look. But they will do nothing for suspension performance and travel.

Spend your money on a good set of front coils 3.5-5.5", depending on your tire size and a set of F250 shock mounts for the front. If you have the capabilities, a shackle hanger flip will net you about 4" of lift and take advantage of the soft, good traveling stock springs. Match it up with the inboard shock mount kit. This will give you some very decent travel for a minimal investment. Of course, you will need some steering and alignment correction. And with the extra travel, you will need longer drivelines and brake lines.

Jason

Unless you're specifically talking about stroker Windsors, they aren't that big of a deal, BFett. EFI was the best bang for the buck performance mod I've ever done to an early Bronco. With impressive power and throttle response, there aren't too many stock stroke Windsors that will outpull me. If I ever do build a new engine for mine though, it will be a big cube Windsor with injection.

muscletruck · #9 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 11:52 AM

i think im going to do the same as my brother did on his eb. 1/2 ton chevy lift leafs at all4 corners

mauicruza · #10 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 04:32 AM

So you're looking to fab all the brackets to run chevy leafs onto your stock eb axles or are you going all-chevy? It's going to be some work but I quess in can be done. If you're getting most of your parts for little or no cost then I doubt it'll be a "budget lift". You may be better off pricing a complete EB lift kit. Less headaches IMO.