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Hi, my name is Clint and I live in N. Augusta, SC just near the SC/GA border. My family and I just moved here a few months ago from Greenville, SC and lived in Clemson, SC prior to G'vl. I recently acquired a 1990 White 4X4 full sized Bronco and I a am looking to lift it to fit larger tires. Might do some light off-roading but no major water emersion or flexing planned.
My three questions that follow are in regards to my body and spacer lift plans:
1) What is the boards opinion on this combo - 3" body lift + 2" spacers? (for an inexpensive lift for approx. 75% highway/25% light off-roading) I've heard I can do it but need to be careful (..no jumping or any high-impact wheeling) so not cause damage.
2) Will I be ok setting this on 35X12.50 tires if I trim/massage the fenders? Or is 33 the largest I can go?
3) What else will I need to do beyond stock to make this work? What other parts will I need to modify/add to put on the road with this lift and tire configuration. e.g. do I need a differential drop to protect cv joints? Will I need extended brake lines, shocks, etc.?
Thank you all for your comments,
I can't wait to get started on this project!
Clint
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05-27-2008, 09:04 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-27-2008, 09:08 PM by smooth.)
1. 35's will fit without lift with decent massaging.
2. 35's should fit with just the 3 inch lift, maybe a little massaging.
3. I doubt anyone would advise a total of 5 inches of body lift.
4. Since you are lifting the body, there are no drivetrain/braking/shock issues (edited: maybe the rear shocks, I can't remember if they are mounted to the frame or body) other then steering shaft, MAYBE the brake lines out of the master cylinder, but I doubt it, and gas filler neck. (edited: also, the fan shroud will need to be trimmed, removed, or relocated).
MoMo
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DO NOT lift a body more than 3" . please dont. its unsafe and its ugly and its not worth the headache. do a 3" body lift and put the 35's on it. then if you need to trim the fenders you can. but with 75% road use i doubt its gonna matter.
but please do not try to run a 3" body lift with 2" spacers. 5" of body lift is not a good idea. take it from a veteran wheeler. im sure other experienced wheelers will chime in and back me up on this.
welcome to cb4x4 and good luck with your new bronco.
East Coast Surplus & Tactical
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I'm not a fan of a body lift at all...save ur money and buy a lift even if it's just 4 inches,its a whole lot more driver friendly....
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smooth Wrote:1. 35's will fit without lift with decent massaging.
2. 35's should fit with just the 3 inch lift, maybe a little massaging.
3. I doubt anyone would advise a total of 5 inches of body lift.
4. Since you are lifting the body, there are no drivetrain/braking/shock issues (edited: maybe the rear shocks, I can't remember if they are mounted to the frame or body) other then steering shaft, MAYBE the brake lines out of the master cylinder, but I doubt it, and gas filler neck. (edited: also, the fan shroud will need to be trimmed, removed, or relocated).
MoMo
An addition to #4: I did a 3" BL on a '89 F150 and the factory neg. battery cable was too short afterwards. Apparently the battery tray raised with the fender and the engine block stayed in the same location. :banghead:
It's always the little things that trip you up...  cratchhe:
'95 Bronco -- 351W-435-205, D44 SAS, Cromos, Truetrac, E-Locker
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Hello, thanks for the replies. I'll take your advise and stick with just the 3" body lift.
Does anyone on here (or do you know of anyone) who runs 35" tires on just a 3" body lift? The reason I was thinking of spacers is because I was told 35's won't fit on just 3" of lift.
Thanks, Clint
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here's my F150 back when i had 3" BL and 35" Hawgs on it. The lines were where I was thinking of cutting the fenders. I ended up just putting smaller tires back on it. Later i removed the BL and it's back to stock now...
![[Image: hawgs-2-1.jpg]](http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/245435/thumbnail/hawgs-2-1.jpg)
'95 Bronco -- 351W-435-205, D44 SAS, Cromos, Truetrac, E-Locker
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That looks good with the 35's. Did you trim/massage at all or just throw on the tires after the lift? Did you have any problems with rubbing? Why did you end up taking them off...were you not happy?
Just trying to get all info I can before doing this to my bronco.
Thanks, Clint
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The front coil springs are shot on that truck. Because of this, and probably because I had 35x14 tires on 10" wide rims, I could turn the steering wheel about 1/4 turn either way (12:00 to 9:00 or 3:00) before the tires got into the back of the front fender. There was no way I could re-install the front bumper without major surgery.
I wasn't just unhappy with the lack of steering, the power loss of 35's on 3.55s with a wornout 302 and the loss of braking power, but I think I was more unhappy with the entire truck.
'95 Bronco -- 351W-435-205, D44 SAS, Cromos, Truetrac, E-Locker
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Thanks for all of the great feedback.
So after reading everyone's replies and perusing through other posts on the subject, I'm thinking maybe I should just forget the 35's and put 33X12.50 tires with my 3" body lift.
Forum Vote
1) 3" body lift with 35X12.50 tires (w/ fender trim/massage)
or
2) 3" body lift with 33X12.50 tires
Also, will 12.50 tires fit on my stock 15"X7" wheels?
Thanks everyone, this has been very helpful!
Clint
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