Ok so are the EBAY liftkits 2"-3" for an 86 BII good or a waste?

geck0 · Jan 15, 2011

As the title says, I don't have tons to spend on this bronco, I know i need rear leaf springs, then the lift leaf, plus front bushings i guess. I will need body mounts since mine are shot. Will I need anything else like diff spacers (my buddies tacoma needed them) Like I said MONEY IS an obstical but i wanna do it right. :icon_cheers:

gribly · Jan 15, 2011

A tacoma is NOTHING like lifting a BII. Diff spacers are to drop the front diff on an IFS truck so that the axles don't eat themselves up quickly.

You could probably do 2" easy with coil spacers and camber bushings up front and shackles in the rear. You'll lose your droop, and need to get longer shocks to get your travel back, but it will work. Read up in the tech library and learn how your suspension works and what companies offer what parts before you try to change anything. It sounds like you have a handle on what needs to happen, but are not quite sure how everything works under there.

gribly · Jan 15, 2011

I just re-read your post - sounds like you should do a body lift when you replace the mounts, and leave the suspension stock. Then, save up for a suspension lift from James Duff. I've never done a bodylift, others here can fill you in on them. Essentially it's spacers under the body mounts, and sometimes you need a steering extension, it depends on the truck.

geck0 · Jan 15, 2011

well i'm not going major 4wheelin just lightly and rarely. I more just want to make it a bit more aggressive and a little more custom, when i do the body mounts i'll have to rebuild the frame mounting points as to the fact they have rusted holes big enough for the rubber bushing to fit through on a couple of them. I don't wanna mess with steering stuff so i'll probably avoid a body lift (it seems like a PITA) if anything i may just get very large 1/4" thick washers to put under the bushings of the body mount (i figure no need for mods with that little of increase.

As for my shocks they are all BRAND NEW MONRO (cheap sensi-trac) . I'd need new ones? for a 2" lift?? and my rear leafs are shot.. they look like a compound bow lol. They bow back up a little bit

chrwilkins30 · Jan 15, 2011

explorer leafs will fix that. got mine for 50 bucks.

4x4junkie · Jan 15, 2011

Many (all?) of those Ebay kits I've seen use poly spacers under the front coils.

Avoid! They will get crushed by the spring's pressure and will fall apart.

Spacer lifts are fine if they use metal spacers however (there's some info in the Tech Library on sourcing or making your own spacers for the front).

geck0 · Jan 15, 2011

i could prob turn some out on my brake lathe i bet.....hmmmmmmmm

i wondered about those poly ones it didnt seem to make much long term sense.

chrwilkins30 50 bucks used or new? direct fit or some modification? and what year and height diff

84stealthranger · Jan 15, 2011

really a body lift is not hard at all https://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/part_number=753/706.2.8475.32354.0.0.0 it comes with the directions and the steering part is just one bolt. really nothing to it.

4.0B2 · Jan 15, 2011

get a good lift... buy a full kit: suspension or body
on a suspension lift you can do coil spacers (metal, like listed above), longer shocks (you will need for travel, spacers will mess up your shocks probably), camber bushings, a drop pitman arm i'm sure, and explorer leafs (or blocks or shackles or add a leafs- all of these have their pro's and con's...)

the body lift is honestly an easier fix. buy a full body lift kit and it comes with everything and it doesn't mess up the camber issues and cause bump steer. but you get the not so good look of a body lift- frame showing, gaps (gap guards)

geck0 · Jan 16, 2011

Is the 3" body lift 3" tall or 3" ABOVE stock?

Also is it a bad idea to do that and a minor suspension lift? 2" sus + that 3" kit that 84stealthranger linked to?

Surrey · Jan 17, 2011

geck0 said:
i'll have to rebuild the frame mounting points as to the fact they have rusted holes big enough for the rubber bushing to fit through on a couple of them.

Damn, that sounds like a lot of work to deal with. Is it worth spending the money/time on this truck? I Just found the same problem on my shitty truck, so its getting wrecked... If the frame is rusting out, what sorta condition are your hangers and shackles on the back end(where the leafs mount)? I had recently had to replace one because it was a mess, and the other one is less-than pretty. Going to be ripping those out before it goes to the wrecker...

Now I gotta find a truck with a decent frame that I can just fix with whats good on what I got now :sad:

geck0 · Jan 18, 2011

It's weird the truck is in amazing condition 88k body is in great condition, the interior is nearly mint (not a fib its amazing) the underage is pretty rusty but the frame itself is fine, no serious rust damage just the mounting points to the body and other things. It's kinda a odd match up of underneath and above. The truck is totally worth any work.

unoleisu · Jan 18, 2011

I did a 3" body lift on my 87 BII a couple months ago. It is in excellent shape inside and out, but two of the body spacer mounts were rusted out big enough for the rubber to go thru, and two bolts were rusted solid (had to cut them off. This took longer than anything else).

I tried the big honking washer idea. Worked great (the body stayed on the frame) but when I hit a bump or turned a corner they popped and shifted, making erritating noises. I went back and welded on a 1/4" plate with the right sized holes drilled in the middle, on top of the bad mounts. I say you save some time and do this in the first place.

Don't forget to soak the bolts with your favorite penetrant for a day or two before hand.

chrwilkins30 · Jan 18, 2011

they were from the jy. Lifted mine about 2 inches but that was because mine were shot. Heres tech link to the tech library for the writeup

http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/ExplorerLeafs.htm

geck0 · Jan 18, 2011

guys really thanks for all the info so far, i'm searching down some leafs now and workin on that all the ideas and direction is much appreicated. Everyone on this forum seems pretty cool and laid back (willing to help) compared to other car sites :icon_hornsup:

I'll keep ya posted on the progress as I go forth! :icon_welder:

Ok so are the EBAY liftkits 2"-3" for an 86 BII good or a waste?

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