5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

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5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

Postby Stubborn3 » Wed Aug 15, 2018 2:40 pm

Random question but I remember reading somewhere the idea of mounting front coil buckets 2” higher to run 5.5” coils at only 3.5” of lift so you can keep things low and stable but get the benefit of 5.5” coils “droop” so you get great downward travel without being tall and tipsy? Any thoughts?
'72 sport, 351 Cleveland, NP435, twin-sticked 20, unknown lift- if any, 35" KM2s siped by B.O.B, custom rust and dents, 2 kid seats.
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Re: 5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

Postby Justin » Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:03 pm

Several companies make adjustable height buckets that would work well for this.
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Re: 5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

Postby Jesus_man » Thu Aug 16, 2018 5:40 am

I plan on doing this. Actually, I may even go with as long as I can, still netting 3.5". You will need shocks to match. But I don't see any draw-backs.

My 3.5" coils are quite old and stiff, to the point where I have removed the capture at the top of the spring and welded in a center post to guide it back into position after flexed out. I know some of the newer stuff flexes much better. So it may be crazy to go with 8" springs, but I will burn that bridge when I get there. Who knows, maybe it will be time for coil overs by then??
1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow.
http://www.ucora.org
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Re: 5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

Postby Gunnibronco » Thu Aug 16, 2018 6:38 am

I've done this, but haven't driven it yet. Someday.

I just saw a good looking set at chassisunlimited.com that are a lot like mine. Not sure if they add the extra width to compensate for the wider axles. Also James Duff have a set for wide axles, but aren't adjustable. They are welded in place.

http://www.chassisunlimited.com/product ... owers.html
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74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, TGW HP1060 and HP1014 axles, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, York OBA, 4x4x2, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
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Re: 5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

Postby cw72 » Thu Aug 16, 2018 8:40 am

That’s how mine is setup, except even a little higher, I think I’m rocking 3” or so. Lots of sheet metal removal. Image


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Re: 5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

Postby Jesus_man » Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:12 am

I'd be interested to see what you did for trimming on the rear. I'm happy at about 3.5" of lift, but I would love to go to 37's or 38's sometime. And I rub now on 35's.
1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow.
http://www.ucora.org
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Re: 5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

Postby crawlercreations » Thu Aug 16, 2018 12:28 pm

40"s on 4" of lift is where it is at....
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
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Re: 5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

Postby RJLougee » Sun Aug 19, 2018 5:24 pm

I did this a number of years ago on the "Picasso Bronco" (named for the 'blockish' cammo pattern), which I sold 2005ish. That Bronco eventually ended up being bought by Coby and we went to the OCBR with that ones and mine a number of years ago.

This mod is also on my Sons EB.

The suspension does work well like that and the vendors have caught up to the idea and now produce better supporting parts. All I did was cut the coil cup off the frame and move it up. For the shock mount I just used the F250 mounts, or the tube mounts.
Joe
'70 Bronco, MAF 5.0, NP435, D44/9", 4.10s, 33" MT/Rs, PS/PB
'71 Bronco, HP D60, Hi-9, 5.38/ARBs, 101" WB, 408 Stroker, AOD, Atlas, 40" MT/Rs, PiMP EFI.
'78 F150 SWB/Stepside/4WD, 351W/4R100/NP205, 35" KM2s, under const...
'81 Coachman Caper XL MH, 4WD, EFI 460/ZF/BW1356, D44/Sterling, 4.10s/35s, under const...
'83 Bronco, D60/Sterling, 5.13/ARBs, MAF EFI 351W/ZF/BW1356, 37" MT/Rs.
'12 Buggy, HPD60, Hi-9, 4.10s, Explorer 5.0, Atlas 4-speed, my chassis, EB skins.
And the latest project is a '99 Ranger Extra-Cab, custom frame/tube work, on 40s...
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Re: 5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

Postby Jesus_man » Mon Aug 20, 2018 5:31 am

Joe - one concern I have as the additional torsional loads on the frame where the coils mounts are welded. My plan is to plate the bottom and outside of the frame with something heavier than the frame itself for a better welding surface. I've already plated for the steering box, so I will just continue that back a few inches past the coil mount. I also have planned to incorporate a shock mount into the same bracket.

I am sure it'll be a year or two before I tackle this, but it's been on my mind for a few years.
1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow.
http://www.ucora.org
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Re: 5.5” front coils mounted 2” high for 3.5” lift???

Postby Stubborn3 » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:36 pm

Thanks for all the input... debating on going up to a 4” tire and did a 2”body lift mostly to make room around the motor so I should be in 5.5 area total
'72 sport, 351 Cleveland, NP435, twin-sticked 20, unknown lift- if any, 35" KM2s siped by B.O.B, custom rust and dents, 2 kid seats.
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