Originally Posted by John Emkhe

For the Bronco and F150 4wd twin traction beam front ends we have developed 3 different suspension kits. These designs have been used successfully for over 12 years now with excellant results. Our basic lift consisting of modified traction beams exchange, custom race quality tubular radius arms, custom designed radius arm pivot brackets , concentrating on good tire turning clearance. We have found that the stock radius arm pivot bracket moved back is undesirable ( tires hit hard! ). A new set of radius arm pivot bushings and thrust washers with grade 8 bolts and nuts to properly mount the brackets are also included. All kits use modified beams instead of drop down brackets for proper steering geometry. The stock pitman arm is maintained as well ! Also a new set of coil springs are included. price without shocks is $1600. When it comes to shocks we are currently selling Doestch Tech shocks priced around 50 ea or the Bilstein shock for $85 ea. The front shock on the double shock option in Bilstein is 95 ea.
To make the transition from a lift to wheel travel kits involves changing the existing coil mount bucket to our custom made coil buckets combination shock mounts. Here is where we offer 2 choices, both kits offer 16" front wheel travel, the big kit is enough tubular hoop and shock mounts for up to 4 shocks per wheel. Or an option that works awesome is a package with 2 large 2.5"Racerunner shocks per wheel? (as a suggestion) 2.5" shocks are $400 each. All suspension is fully cycled with the beams to assure the best fit and most wheel travel. Our quality mig welding complete this kit and it is ready to bolt on. these kits come with all components to construct a bolt in tubular crossmember over the motor to the top of each hoop. some fitting and welding is required here. All critical mounting hardware is supplied in grade 8 , All bushing and bracket mounts to the frame and crossbar are included. the bump stops are setup for you and high strength limit straps are included with mounting to the radius arm . You drill a hole in the frame to mount the other end. The steering geometry is excellant and the on road driving is superb! Price on this package is 2750 includes coils but not shocks. Options include 1)$200, Reinforced Traction beams! We weld 1/4" plate gussets into the weak areas of the housing to the pivot bushing ends. You can bend stock housings when jumping! 2)$70, Skid plate for the low area of the front housing. 3) $130, Compression inserts for the coils to beef up the front spring rate 4)$200 Coil adjuster kits! This will allow you to fine tune the ride height and make accurate adjustments.
The second kit is designed with a single sway away 2.5" racing shock per wheel , custom coil bucket and shock mount structure for the full 16" travel. Much easier to install , a nice compromise between the basic lift and the big travel kit , perfect for the rock climber guy . No engine crossbar with this design as it is lower and closer to the coil bucket itself. Resevoir mounts are provided on the front side of the bucket. It does include bump stops and limit straps. price 2500. Same options above apply as well. Each 2.5 racing shock is $400.
For the rear we offer a custom set of progressive leaf springs. Our unique anti wrap up 2 link traction bar kit that will cycle for the full 16" travel on broncos and 18" travel on trucks. A properly designed 2 link is important to long life of leaf springs. I will explain: What flattens, fatigues, or breaks leaf springs is hitting bumps and the power at once. If a spring just goes up and down they last a long time. It is the twisting that getting on and off the gas causes, commonly called spring wrap up that puts the kabash on your spring investment. The 2 link keeps the twisting from happening and allows the spring to deflect for full travel and no wind up. The pivot points of the 2 link are extremely critical for proper function. You can't just throw a bar in anywhere if you want proper wheel travel as well. If the link bars are not designed right you can actually make your truck handle worse because the spring is binding. You may at this point choose to put some longer shocks in the stock mounts and be done with it or go for the wheel travel kits. On the bronco we have a complete upper bolt in crossmembers (2) for the upper shock mounts that fits under the floor pan of your bronco. Lower mounts are included and do require some welding after locating with the existing shock mount. All fabrication is high quality designed for good looks and durability. price on the rear bronco kits is $2000 for springs, 2 Link anti wrap up kit, Bolt in upper shock mount structures. Weld on lower shock structures, Necessary grade 8 bolts and nuts, and Limit straps.
For the rear of trucks we offer 18" rear wheel travel using the stock leaf spring frame mounts and shackles! It consists of a through the bed tubing structure that mounts the long travel shocks necessary for that much wheel travel. The lower shock mount is the spring plate that the rear end U bolts to. This way the shocks are up high for ground clearance and will not interfer with stock fuel tank or exhaust system, typical problems when trying to mount long travel shocks under the bed! The cage shock mount structure is bolted to the frame using Autofab bushing assemblies and special mounting brackets. Some holes will need to be drilled when installing our kit. We provide frame reinforcement for the bump stop and it ties through to the middle cage mount of the rear kit. The bed cage is mounted with six bushing assemblies total. The rear bed cage structure is designed to adapt easily to your in cab roll cage if that is in the planning. Custom progressive leaf springs are included in rear kits. These are absolutely necessary for proper spring rate and full travel! All rear truck suspensions also come with our unique 2 link traction bar kit that properly cycles for 18" wheel travel! Heavy duty limit straps are included in basic kit price of $2750. Spare tire mounts can be added if you wish for additional $.
Shock prices vary based on quality from 50 to 210 each, large 2 1/2 swayaway 330ea. Doetsch Tech , Rancho etc. around the 50 mark and resevoired bilstein or fox racing 2" shocks 210 ea. Rock climbing does not require expensive shocks , serious prerunning and high speed offroading require resevoired racing shocks. Cheaper shocks will heat up and fade away under hard offroad use. We offer tech advise if you need it.
To properly install our kits you have to be able to completely dismantle your front end , the same as to change gears, only a step further because you have to break the knuckle ball joint area apart to change over to our beams , and of course send your good parts back to us for core charge refund. You will also have to be qualified with a tape measure , I certainly dont mean this as an insult but i have met numerous people that did not know how to read a simple ruler. You will have to locate brackets and drill mounting holes in the frame , 1/2" holes. You will be removing the entire rear suspension as well and that can be a real chore sometimes when the bolts get frozen in! You will also have to be able to get rivets out of a frame. A simple technique here is to drill the rivet first with about a 1/4" drill about halfway through, then cut the head off with a cold chisel or pnumatic hammer chisel, then using a large punch , drive the rest of the way out.
We know it is a lot of work to do your suspension this way But, It truely is the only way to do it right ! I encourage anyone to tackle it themself as when you complete it you will have gained tremendous knowledge and confidence !