First off, I'm asking a lot here, so be kind..

Having done a lot of work with Ford's before (engines, etc), I've never done any suspension work before. This summer I plan on buying a beater 80-86 Bronco to turn into my offroad truck. My other bronco's are in too good of a cosmetic condition to be beating up off road..

I want to do a 6" susp. lift with 35 inch tires, from what I've read on here, that seems to be a good combination. However, I have also read that a solid front axle is a lot better for offroading than the TTB. So, here are my questions:

1.) Do the 80-86 years have a solid front, or TTB. If they have TTB, where can I find some info on doing the solid axle swap?

2.) I want a solid font axle no matter what. What parts would I need to put a 6" lift on this year bronco with a solid front axle? I'm assuming its a lot different than lifting TTB.

3.) Is there a certain gear ratio I should be using on the axles to best accomodate the 35 inch tires? FYI, I don't know much about gear ratios either

4.) I've heard about sway bars and ladder bars, what do those do, and would I need them or benefit from them?

5.) Would I need to upgrade any of the steering linkages so that I'm not breaking anything?

6.) What can be done about 35 inch tires rubbing into the radius arms?

I know these are a lot of questions, but you guys have always been helpful in the past, so I'd like to start here first. If anyone knows of any websites/books/magaznies/etc what would help me out that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance guys, -X22
Robert:

 

1.) Do the 80-86 years have a solid front, or TTB. If they have TTB, where can I find some info on doing the solid axle swap?

you want an 80-96 F-350...try to get kingpins instead of balljoints

2.) I want a solid font axle no matter what. What parts would I need to put a 6" lift on this year bronco with a solid front axle? I'm assuming its a lot different than lifting TTB.

try to get everything you can off the donor truck...leafs, shocks, d/s, brakes, etc. you will have to pull the coils out and replace them with leaf pearches (learn how to weld now)

3.) Is there a certain gear ratio I should be using on the axles to best accomodate the 35 inch tires? FYI, I don't know much about gear ratios either

not really 3.55's will serve you fine with 35's but if finances allow get 4.56's depending on whether or not it's gonna be driven on the road or not!

4.) I've heard about sway bars and ladder bars, what do those do, and would I need them or benefit from them?

sway bars keep the body from rolling in turns...take off the rear ones and run disconnects on the front! ladder bars keep the rear axle from hopping up and down due to tall lift blocks or just a helluva lot of power!

5.) Would I need to upgrade any of the steering linkages so that I'm not breaking anything?

just the pitman arm when you get your lift! unless you are gonna go hardcore rockcrawlin then maybe....just have to get out there and break stuff to find out!

6.) What can be done about 35 inch tires rubbing into the radius arms?

get some wheels that have neg. backspacing (puts tires further away from COF)


ps try this link....... http://fordtrucks.com/articles/buildup/dana60.php

http://fordtrucks.com/forums/showthr...hreadid=188347

-jason-

 

If you are looking to buy a Bronco for off-roading and want a straight axle, look for a '78 or '79. They had solid fronts. Not nearly as easy to find though.