I thought it wouldn't be too hard to find what I needed but I've been having trouble.

I have a 96 Bronco that currently has a 4" lift. I'm putting a 7.3 powerstroke in it and am for now keeping my stock axles. I eventually will upgrade to a dana 60/10.25 rear and a better front axle, but can't currently afford to put in the different axles with all the fab work needed that I can't do, plus the added expense of the axles/tires/wheels themselves (because from spreadsheets I've laid out on cost, it's going to be about 4-6k to do that so I'll have to wait on it.)

Because I don't do much towing at all, don't plan to do anything more than I did before, and don't wheel it super tough, I think I can get by on the stock axles for quite some time until I save up to get a better setup.


Anyways, due to this I thought I would just throw in some heavier duty 2WD diesel front coil springs and call it good to keep my 4" lift. The problem is, I can't seem to find good information on what springs to order.

The donor F-250 is 2wd so it has coil springs, but it's not lifted any so I don't think the springs will help any on that. My bronco's current springs are in great shape, but I'm sure they will lose height with the weight of the 7.3 under the hood.

Does anyone have any links to coil springs that will get me 4" of lift with the diesel engine, or know what I can do to keep the extra lift (like put spacers or something between the springs?) If diesel lifted coil springs aren't available, would it be advisable to try and get a 6" lift coil spring for a gasser in place of the 4" springs I have? That way the diesel will compress the springs to what may be a 4" lift height.


Any ideas or input is welcome!

 

this is one of those things where trial and error is the only way to find an answer. since there was never a diesel IFS coil spring front end there is no reference to go off of in finding parts.
a set of 4 inch 2 wheel lift coils for a diesel F350 MAY work. or it may totally screw up your front end alignment to the point you will have to custom fabricate center pivot brackets.

 

Why not wait till you have everything and do it at once?

 

Hmm I may have to look around and see what 4" diesel coils I can find.

The reason why I'm not going to wait for the axles before I put in the diesel is that I don't know exactly how long it will be until I can get the proper axles and the money for the installation of the front axle on top of that. Then I'd need the money for new tires and wheels too which adds up a lot. I have the diesel engine/wiring/fuel system etc. right now to make it fully operational in my Bronco, but I don't have the axles.

The parts truck for this is sitting at my parents place, and I won't be able to keep it there too long. I have the time now for the next few months ( 6-8) to get this diesel in my Bronco, but after that, I will have to go off in the Air Force. I know once I'm in, I won't be able to do a swap like this because I won't have the time/space to pull the dash/engine and do the painting I wanted while the engine was out. I would be able to get the axles swapped while I'm in because doing a rear axle swap is easy and quick, and I'll have to pay someone for the front one which should be relatively quick compared to me doing it.

If I don't swap the diesel now (besides my parents wanting the parts truck gone), It could potentially be another 4-6 years before I could put the diesel in! I think I should be able to get some type of coil spring set up in place of what I have now to make it work, I just need to figure out the right ones!

 

you may consider looking for 6" lift springs for the bronco. then with the weight of the 7.3 is may settle out to be the same height.

 

That's what I was thinking too. I'll probably call some place like skyjacker or rancho and see what they have to say also. If I can't find 2wd 4" diesel springs, or any diesel coil-spring that will fit in my current setup, I think I'll try out the 6" springs. If they sit too high, I can always have them cut.

 

Im pretty sure you can fit 05-07 4x4 springs with a 2" leveling kit with minor modification, but your going to have to fabricate drop brackets for your existing suspension, if not you will have some serious positive camber.

 

Hmm I'll look into doing that then. I don't know much about alignment with the camber have much ability to fabricate brackets so it may be kinda tough, but not as tough and welding in brackets to drop in a solid axle!

 

David Lott of Diesel Innovations put a 7.3 in an Bronco years ago. Maybe check in with him and see if he can offer any advice.

 

Just food for thought, what about putting in air bags that go inside the springs? I have them on my wifes Excursion and it lifted it up 2" and they are rated for 2000lbs iirc.