1988 Bronco II Virginia Trail Build

[RumPunch]

Well they never responded anyway, typical craigslist..

 

[RumPunch]

First time it's been on the trailer since I brought it home. The lift should be installed tomorrow, I'm ready for that to be done!!

 

[RumPunch]

Well there is a long story behind today but I'm going to jump to the fun part because the past is the past!

 

[Uncle Gump]

That little truck has kinda fought you all the way. Looks like the lift is at least in... dual shocks even. Sits pretty nice too...

 

[RumPunch]

Thanks Gump. You would think respecting something it would cut you a little slack, but not yet. From Duff radius arm jam nuts cut with bad threads that wouldn't work to a rusted out frame Sunday was a fight. Ended up getting it together, surprisingly the shop I was in had a half ton with Duff radius arms, I borrowed the jam nuts and good to go. Pulled the passenger side coil bucket off and found the frame rotted away. Couple pieces of plate steel a welder and grinder and back to the grind. All new steering components (all Moog) and it was pretty close to being good. The $2-3k I spent with James Duff was apparently not enough to get extended brake lines or sway bar drop brackets, heim joint jam nuts that have thread and u bolts that don't bend Guess you have to spend another couple to get everything. Such a disappointing ordeal with a "Made in America" company.

 

[RumPunch]

Got it off the trailer in daylight today. I am LOVING it so far as for height tire fitment. Exactly what I was going for. This second warranty claim with James Duff and their customer support will determine my attitude with the company. More to come on that.

 

[RumPunch]

Well another night of low/limited success. Driveshaft installed fine seems good. Like an idiot I tried to install pinion angle shims and noted they wouldn't fit over the leaf spring pins. Shortly after drilling them out (9/16") I realized I should have pulled the spring pack back apart and bolted them in... Hind sight. Defeated there I reassemble the rear and went to battle with front brake lines(That James Duff does not include with their $2500+ lift "system"). So I measured and researched and determined 2wd lines are 2"+ longer. Should work PERFECT. Well guess what, they don't. Attempted to modify them by grinding the flat surface on the banjo bolt block but then they wouldn't orient correctly. Wrap it up to another loss of $. This f_$&/#g bronco i i has kicked my ass every direction I turn. #defeated...

Don't mention the exhaust, terribly cluttered garage, blah blah blah...

 

[Uncle Gump]

I remember seeing this over on the BroncoCorral. @tw205 used a new brake line mount on the frame to overcome the non-existent 90 degree bend in a stainless brake line.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I remember seeing this over on the BroncoCorral. @tw205 used a new brake line mount on the frame to overcome the non-existent 90 degree bend in a stainless brake line.

View attachment 85381

The sway bar desperately needs frame extensions. As it looks the axle might get 1/4" of droop.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The sway bar desperately needs frame extensions. As it looks the axle might get 1/4" of droop.

Looks like there might be extensions already. I was thinking it needed longer links.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Longer links would work.

 

[RumPunch]

I'm pretty sure that truck is on a lift you can see tires lying in the background. Meaning it's at full droop. I will still have to figure out sway bar extensions on mine.

On another note the brake line dilemma may be resolved. Noted it to James Duff and they were going to provide me a credit for the third party u-bolts I had to purchase due to there's being poor quality. I mentioned needing longer lines and they are shipping me the extended ones they offer in place of the credit for u-bolts. We'll see what happens.

As of now my way bar isn't installed. They claim the dual shock setup in "some applications "replaces the need of the front sway bar". Idk I believe it but I plan to order some drops and reinstall and attempt to find some disconnect links that will work. Anyone had any luck finding a set that work for the RBV platform?

 

[mnewman]

I am interested to see how the Duff lines work. I got the SS set from the Bronco Graveyard and I'm not overly thrilled. I haven't found a good way to keep them off the tires or springs.

I also currently don't have my front sway bar on. It will still bolt up when the truck is sitting on its wheels but will limit travel when wheelin. I was considering cutting off one of the ears off the lower bracket so I could install a pin/key to make them disconnect-able.

 

[RumPunch]

I am interested to see how the Duff lines work. I got the SS set from the Bronco Graveyard and I'm not overly thrilled. I haven't found a good way to keep them off the tires or springs.

I also currently don't have my front sway bar on. It will still bolt up when the truck is sitting on its wheels but will limit travel when wheelin. I was considering cutting off one of the ears off the lower bracket so I could install a pin/key to make them disconnect-able.

Well I have tracking on the lines hoping they come in before the weekend but doubtful. I’m thinking they will be too long as well and have excessive slop but who knows… being they only offer one set for 3-6” id bet a paycheck. Even the 2wd lines I ordered from Dorman that showed only 2” longer than stock had PLENTY of extra length only problem was the orientation was terrible..

 

[RumPunch]

So James Duff extended lines came in. There are too long, and the line itself when crimped in is at the wrong orientation as well so if you mounted them in the coil bucket as designed the excess loop would be in front of the coil just dangling. Also the coil bucket does not allow stock steel lines enough room to come back to "original" location so that was a no go. Here's what I did and am fairly content with. Routed excess around inside of coil, moved factory line to backside of bucked implemented a p-clamp with stiff rubber around inside onto the hole in the coil bucket and clamped with a lock nut. Pretty secure free for all movement. Also wrapped the line/coil where they contact in hydraulic loom to allow movement but prevent excessive chaffing. Can't say I would buy this kit, there has to be something out there that works well. At least better than this...

What I do like about the kit is it comes with a rear line as well. I haven't installed so it may not even fit but will try sooner than later, as it doesn't really seem to need one.