2'' lift setup

[Grunizzle]

I changed my plans of doing a 3'' bracket lift to just doing a 1.5-2'' lift primarily because I do not have a garage to undertake ripping the suspension completely apart.

So here is what my plan is.

I bought some skyjacker 2'' lift coils so far.
I am planning to buy the following:

- 2'' add a leaf
- 3 degree axle shim www.summitracing.com/parts/SJA-WS30/
- moog caster camber bushing 0 to + 4 degrees.
- bilstein 5150 shocks
- extended brake lines from autozone
- drop pitman arm


Here are the questions I have:
1) Any particular brand of add a leaf I should or a certain one to buy?
2) I do not yet know if I will need the camber bushing but I am a big fan of CYA (cover your ass). Should I get this and install it before alignment or just wait and see if its align-able when I take it to firestone and have them install it?
3)I need new shocks as it sits now but since I am lifting it anyway I want something nice for wheeling. I have done some reading and and many people recommend bilstein shocks. I have been looking into the 5150s dang expensive! Any thoughts on me getting these? Are they way overkill and a waste?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Personally...I would skip the add-a-leaf all together and go with an Extended shackle.

Better ride, and performance gains (suspension travel wise).

Bilstein shocks are the cats meow, you can't go wrong with them. A million times better than your average rancho or pro comp shock.

 

[Grunizzle]

Thanks for the advise on the shocks, I definitely want some!

I would go with an extended shackle, but I already have them. I put 6400s in and removed my factory block to reduce axle wrap. That is why I am looking at add a leafs.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Ahh I see!

Explorer leafs perhaps?

If you go add-a-leaf get the long ones...not the stiff as short ones.

 

[Grunizzle]

Ahh I see!

Explorer leafs perhaps?

If you go add-a-leaf get the long ones...not the stiff as short ones.

Note taken on the long add a leafs thanks.

I might try and do a hybrid leaf pack of exploder and ranger, but going out to the JY and pulling 2 leaf packs is a PITA!

 

[93_RangerSC]

sounds like a good build up to me bro pretty much the same im doing and those bilstien shocks really are awesome my buddy has some on his F150 and it rides like a caddy

P.S. i dont mean to thread jack but what is the purpose of axle shims?

 

[88_Eddie]

Grunizle, take lots of pics por favor. this is the same route that i am thinking about lifting my B2 with.....i dont have the money to get one of those big fancy lifts, i wanna stay close to stock as well since i wont be using it for hardcore wheeling (unless i must lol)

 

[Grunizzle]

sounds like a good build up to me bro pretty much the same im doing and those bilstien shocks really are awesome my buddy has some on his F150 and it rides like a caddy

P.S. i dont mean to thread jack but what is the purpose of axle shims?

The shims go in between the leaf pack and axle and improve pinion angle.

Grunizle, take lots of pics por favor. this is the same route that i am thinking about lifting my B2 with.....i dont have the money to get one of those big fancy lifts, i wanna stay close to stock as well since i wont be using it for hardcore wheeling (unless i must lol)

Haha will do!

 

[4x4junkie]

Shouldn't need a drop pitman arm if you're keeping the stock axle brackets.

Agreed on everything else though. I run Bilstein shocks on mine (5125s) and am quite happy with them.

 

[Grunizzle]

Shouldn't need a drop pitman arm if you're keeping the stock axle brackets.

Agreed on everything else though. I run Bilstein shocks on mine (5125s) and am quite happy with them.

Im not going to put a dropped arm in anytime (unless i get a good or something) I was just thinking to do one to cover my ass lol.

edit: junkie do you have bilsteins at all 4 corners? What valving are you running and how do they handle on the street, offroad, and @ like 30 mph down gravel roads?

What about my camber and caster adjustment? Ive heard with a supercab 4x4 they usually can be aligned without the after-market bushings. I am just wondering if I should buy one and hold onto it in case they can't align it correctly, or just buy one and throw it in anyway...

 

[4x4junkie]

No I have the Bilsteins just up front (they are the 255/70s). I wouldn't mind them being a little firmer, but they do ride very smooth with little in the way of harsh jarring, making even washboard roads somewhat tolerable.


As for the camber/caster bushings, as long as the axle beam pivots aren't more than 2" or so above your wheel hub centerline, you should be able to align it. I wouldn't bank on being able to reuse your stock bushings though (they may work, although chances are somewhat greater they won't).
It's always nice to have the two-piece concentric adjustable bushings for if you ever make a change in the future, you won't have to buy new bushings all over again, you just readjust the ones you have. I'd just go ahead and put them in.

 

[Grunizzle]

No I have the Bilsteins just up front (they are the 255/70s). I wouldn't mind them being a little firmer, but they do ride very smooth with little in the way of harsh jarring, making even washboard roads somewhat tolerable.


As for the camber/caster bushings, as long as the axle beam pivots aren't more than 2" or so above your wheel hub centerline, you should be able to align it. I wouldn't bank on being able to reuse your stock bushings though (they may work, although chances are somewhat greater they won't).
It's always nice to have the two-piece concentric adjustable bushings for if you ever make a change in the future, you won't have to buy new bushings all over again, you just readjust the ones you have. I'd just go ahead and put them in.

Thanks for the input junkie, you are awesome!

Upon further research of bilstein shocks, I won't be able to get 5150s for the front, they dont make them quite small enough for my front application
I am thinking 5125 bilsteins at all 4 corners right now. The thing that sucks though is I can't really measure the exact travel I will have until I get my lift installed...

edit: now can't get the right valving for the right length, freaking frustrating...

 

[88_Eddie]

hey grunizzle, where'd you get your skyjacker coils? i had found some a while back, but now i cant seem to find them anywhere.

are you planning on getting drop brakcets? i think i read somewhere that rough country or tuff country has a 2" drop brackets

 

[pillen140]

hey grunizzle, where'd you get your skyjacker coils? I had found some a while back, but now i cant seem to find them anywhere.

trs fab and offroad.

 

[Grunizzle]

hey grunizzle, where'd you get your skyjacker coils? i had found some a while back, but now i cant seem to find them anywhere.

are you planning on getting drop brakcets? i think i read somewhere that rough country or tuff country has a 2" drop brackets

I got my coils from a member on here but you can find them easy.

The part number is SKY132 for your bronco

http://www.trsfabandoffroad.com/products/skyjacker_coil_springs.htm

Yeah tuff country makes 2'' lift brackets
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/20813.html

I am not planning to do brackets anytime soon, and if I did I would just go with the duff 2.5-3'' lift.