I am interested in running 35" and a 6" lift with extended radius arms and a new leaf pack in the rear and new shocks. What should I check or build up before I do this? I am planning on re-gearing the diffs what else need to be done?

Any other recommended upgrades to go with this setup?

I have a 302 with a Mazda manual 5 speed overdrive and 3.55 R 3.54 F open diffs. Someone mentioned a case change to in the front for new gears, what does that mean?

Short of a engine swap anything is up for grabs. How is the Mazda tranny? Should I swap it for something else? I have access to a nearly free 9" rear end if that would be worth it. If the 9" has a limited slip would that be worth it? I am not planning on doing crazy 4x4ing so I was planning on staying away from diff lockers.

Thanks again for all the great help!
Tim

 

I can only answer your question about the front case gears. The Dana 44 has 3 different size cases. One case handles gears between 2.73 to 3.72. The other case handles 3.92 and higher numerically. If you currently run 3.55 like me and want to gear up to 4.10 or 4.56 you need a new case.

 

Thanks for the info! How can I tell the different case sizes? What trucks are going to have the larger cases?

Tim

 

Check out this thread. I posted some pointers in it for a 6" lift. As for the case, if you want to find a donor case, check 3/4 ton D44's. There's a chance of finding one there. I don't know of any 1/2 tons that came with 3.92's or numerically higher stock. And if you do find a 3/4 ton donor with 3.92 or higher, chances are it will have 4.10 gears so you wouldn't have to buy a new set if they are in good shape. Call a gear vendor, it might be easier to just buy a new case to go with your gears. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Hey Time
Just wanted check, what year is your rig? Is it really a '90?
As far as the tranny is conserned I wont be much help. But I did'nt think that the full size had the mazda tranny. I have a '90 that has the E4OD tranny.

I have never heard of having to change the case in order to change the gear ratio on the front dana 44. I have a '90 that I had changed from 3.54 stock gears in the front to 4.10 and limited slip WITH-OUT having to change the case. And I may even go up to 4.56 gears, in do time.

If your rig is a '90, then one thing to consider is RABS system. If you don't care about it then going to a 9" would be fine. I opted to keep the RABS in my 8.8 rear in my rig. One of the biggist weak link in them is the C-Clip poping out. So I had mine custom rebuilt. I had the flanges that hold the drums on cut off and the 9" big bearing flanges welded on and then had rotors mounted. There by eleminating the c-clip altogether, because the brackets that hold the calipers are what is holding the axles in place. I also had an Eaton limited slip differential installed.

If your not planning on doing much wheeling, then having limited slip both front and back would be fine. I haven't had any problems with my setup. But going 6" you may end up going pretty hard wheeling. After I had put my 4" lift on, 33" x 12.5" tires, limited slip, and 4.10 gears I have had the chance to take it up to about 7,000 feet and about 2-3 feet of snow several times: I am now starting to wish I had at put an ARB air locker, at least in the rear, 35" tires and 4.56 gears. But it's too much $$$ for now.

As far as lift goes, go with Superlift. http://www.superlift.com/ While your at it look into getting there Superunner Steering System. It helps the steering geometry when you lift the rigs. Also, look into getting the longer Radius Arms and leaf springs.
Ihave thier 4" lift and Superunner Steering System and shocks. I have been driving on some dirt roads to see how it handles. The ride comfort is fairly nice.

Hope this helps
Check out some of my pics in my gallery

 

Superlift is the maker of the 6" that I have on my 78. It rides good enough for what I'm doing, but I think there are some lighter springs on the market. If it was my daily driver, I'd be looking for a softer spring. Superlift sells good complete kits though.

 

For the last 1-2 years I've heard nothing but problems about Superlifts kit for Broncos (80-96). On this website, MBB, Offroad and Pirate I've read alot of problems with the way the brackets fit. Do some checking on these boards before forking out the cash for a Superlift. Consider a 6" Cepek lift, I've not read anything bad about them. The Cepek is beefier as well.

Good Luck,
Brian

 

Thanks again everyone for the info! I do indeed have a mazda transmission, 90 autos came with the EDO4 and the manuals are mazda MDO5 I believe.

I will check out superlifts and Cepek lifts, any other suggestions? Do I need to do any driveline build up? If I have to buy a limited slip would I be better off just buying a locker? What is the price difference?

Could I scrounge for limited slips at the junk yard?

I have some money to spend but want to spend it on things I cannot get from a junk yard.

Tim

 

There is a group buy going on right now on MBB for the cepek lifts. I think the series 1 was 450 delivered and the series 2 was 800 delivered. That's including shocks (4). Six will cost a little more. MBB is down right now but you should check it out later b/c it's a good price.

 

Sweet! When the site is back I will look for that. I checked out another site selling the kit and it comes with blocks for the rear. I would really rather get a new leaf pack, can I add that from cepek or do they not make that?

Tim

 

yes they have the leaf packs

 

Thanks! Hope they get back online soon! How do people feel the Cepek kit is in compairison to the Bronco Graveyard full kit?

Tim

 

Tell you the truth I've never heard of anyone using their lift. They may have the best lift around--Who knows?? Tell you what, you order their lift and give us some feedback about it. Since I know how people feel about the Cepek lift I'd like some input on Jeff's lifts as well.

Brian

 

Why do I have to be the guinea pig

Tim