'89 Bronco II build

[JOSEPH169]

So I bought my Bronco II Eddie Bauer Edition about a year ago I've got a winch bumper I traded my PS3 for since I used my roommates Xbox. I then scored some brand new Superlift drop brackets on craigslist for $80 but the bracket to drop the driver side beam was missing. Called Superlift and got the bracket, I welded up some gussets on the bracket to make sure the tabs won't break. Now That tax returns comes this week I'm buying some BDS 6" coils and 6" lift shocks along with a drop pitman arm, and I will be going to the junkyard to get 4 door explorer leafs.

List of mods so far:

Front:
BDS 6" TTB coils
Bronco Graveyard 6" lift shocks
90 F-350 front brake lines
Superlift Superunner steering 1ton rod end mod with custom idler
Superlift Drop brackets reinforced
Bronco graveyard drop pitman arm
RLC fab Winch Bumper
Smittybilt d-rings


Rear:
Belltech 6400 shackles
3" lift block

Interior:
Explorer black instrument bezel
Rear hatch area herculined

Future Mods:
D35 TTB
Explorer 8.8 w/ Disc brakes
5.13 gears with locker
Smittybilt Winch
Dual Battery setup
Smittybilt jeep center console
New Front Seats
New rear seat
35x12.5r15 BFG Mudd terrain km2
RLC rear bumper
Fender flares
EFI 302 v8 swap with AOD Trans

 

[JOSEPH169]

Tax return just cam in so I ordered some 6" lift coils, shocks and drop pitman arm from Bronco Graveyard. I'm gonna need to find a drop shackle for the rear as well.

 

[JOSEPH169]

Got my shackles in today.

Now I need to go to the Junkyard to get some Explorer leafs.

 

[JOSEPH169]

The Superlift bracket kit i got from cl for $80 that was missing one bracket that I got new from Superlift for $60. It's brand new with all the hardware still in the packaging.

Here's the reinforced passenger mounted drop bracket, welds aren't pretty but hold.

 

[JOSEPH169]

Just got my BDS 6" coils rated at 410 ppi if they're to stiff for me than I'll look into some other springs, drop pitman arm, and 6" lift shocks today from Bronco Graveyard. One problem with the shocks is see is that when i fully extend them they don't want to collapse at all, they're oil filled and I email Bronco Graveyard about this issue and he said it's normal for the shocks to do this since they only provide resistance to dampen, we'll see.. Hopefully I can get some time this weekend to install everything.

 

[JOSEPH169]

So the lift is installed just need to get the longer driveshaft from an early explorer installed and align it, Plus I need new tires asap since it looks ridiculous with the 235/75r15 that are on it right now, a guy a work said he might have a set of 33x12.5r15 that I could have for free if he can find them..

 

[1RangerNut]

Cool keep us updated I'd like to see how those coils flex. Since they are the softest RBV coils you can buy.

 

[JOSEPH169]

Just got the front driveshaft from a 91 explorer to use as an extended driveshaft for the rear, I found that the rear shaft from my bronco ii driveshaft uses the same u-joint as the explorer shaft so I just used the flange adaptor for the pinion on the explorer shaft and works nicely. I also removed the boot and packed the splines with more grease since I had the shaft off.

Now I just got to install the 1354 front yoke to the rear output of my transfer case and bolt it up now.

 

[disciplerocks]

Looks like a good start, and you are doing all the right things as well.

 

[JOSEPH169]

Hopefully I can get time to align it at work and then drive it.

 

[racer1044]

I have the JBG shocks on my truck had them on since this summer. They are decent for a "budget" lift shock.

 

[JOSEPH169]

I have the JBG shocks on my truck had them on since this summer. They are decent for a "budget" lift shock.

I hope so, they don't seem too bad, alot better than the old ones on my truck since they were shot.

 

[JOSEPH169]

Was able to work on it tonight after work and ran into a problem with the driveshaft for the rear. It is too long with the flange from the 1354 and the stock flange from my existing driveshaft. I ended up just putting the old driveshaft on for now but at full droop you can see the splines on the driveshaft, I probably gonna take the driveshaft into the driveline shop and have it shortened, I now need to figure out some longer sway bar end links for the front and put some adjustment sleeves in, I was able to set the toe at least but when turning sharply seems sketchy but I didn't get much more test driving since my ride was waiting for me and fixing her Jeep took all of 5 mins. I also had to use the 5.5 inch holes instead of the 4 inch holes on my superlift brackets because the camber was way off with my 6 inch springs, Any input on some items will be accepted since I'm trying to get this back on the road asap so I can go camping this coming weekend.

 

[JOSEPH169]

Finally test drove it today after my initial toe alignment since I needed to see what my caster and camber were at. Really does need some 2 degree bushings on both sides after I saw my 1st alignment but I wanted to drive it a home to help settle the suspension more then tomorrow I'll check the alignment again. It looks really goofy with the 235/75r15 tires on but my 32's should be on next week.

 

[JOSEPH169]

 

[JOSEPH169]

Just got the driveshaft back today shortened 2" and installed it. I feel much more comfortable with this shaft in over the stock one I had. Now I just need to get my tires next week from my friend since she's buying new 32x11.50 for her Jeep, then I'll look into new leaf springs for the rear since I'm just using the stock ones and they're flat and the drop shackle and 3' block don't make me level. I'm thinking that some skyjacker springs might be next to get rid of such a hug block or I found a spring shop down the street from my work that can makes some. The beer in the pic isn't redhook but my manager brews his own hefeweizen.

 

[racer1044]

Looks good man. Im digging that front bumper. I have some plans for one similar for my truck. As for the rear leafs. If you can get your hands on another spring pack just build your own. I took two ranger packs and combined some leafs and with my stock block and shackles I got mine level with my 6 inch lift up front.

 

[JOSEPH169]

Looks good man. Im digging that front bumper. I have some plans for one similar for my truck. As for the rear leafs. If you can get your hands on another spring pack just build your own. I took two ranger packs and combined some leafs and with my stock block and shackles I got mine level with my 6 inch lift up front.

The front bumper is from RLC welding and fabrication, I need a winch for it eventually. For the leafs I'm gonna see how much they quote me on a set of new ones and if it's ridiculously priced I'm gonna just get the Explorer leafs and and make my own spring pack with the my Bronco's leaf pack and see how that works.

 

[nooch450]

Try some chevy 64 leafs... You can pick em up cheap from a junk yard and can set them up multiple different ways to get whay you want, that is if you can get them to fit on the B2

 

[JOSEPH169]

Don't think I'll go that route right now since I don't even have extended radius arms yet and just drop brackets, maybe down the round I'll look into the Chevy leafs.