Early Bronco Suspension Systems & Lift Kits

Introduction to Early Bronco Suspension Upgrades

The factory 66-77 Ford Bronco suspension was a solid design for its time. The solid front axle with coil springs and radius arms provided excellent articulation and stability while the rear suspension utilized leaf springs over a Ford 9-inch axle for a great balance of strength and flexibility. That said, suspension technology has progressed exponentially over the years, and there are many great upgrades you can add to your Bronco to make it even more ready to tackle any terrain.

There are a few primary reasons that early Bronco owners tend to upgrade the suspension on their vehicles. Below find some of the most common reasons and helpful tips on what to look for when upgrading your own Bronco suspension.

• Larger Tires & Ground Clearance

  While basic off-roading and overlanding can be done in a stock early Bronco, there are a lot of great trails and locations you just can't reach with 29" tires. Adding larger tires and a lift on your Bronco provides the necessary ground clearance to easily clear obstacles that would be a "Do not pass Go" with a stock Bronco. For this reason, most early Broncos today are running 33" tires are larger with many running 37's, 40's or more. This isn't scientific, but our best estimate is the average early Bronco these days likely runs a 35" tire.

  It's important to note that a suspension lift isn't the only way to clear bigger tires. One major assist for adding larger tires is adding a set of fender flares. These require you to cut the metal on your Bronco's body tub, but can take a stock height Bronco from barely clearing 29's to stuffing 32" or 33" tires in there. Typically, a combination of fender flares and suspension lift is used to clear larger tires in a classic Bronco.
• Improved Ride Quality & Comfort

  Modern suspension components have seen dramatic improvements over their 50 year old counterparts that enhance the ride quality and comfort of the early Bronco. Upgraded shocks, springs nad bushings help to absorb bumps and vibrations, providing a smoother, more comfortable driving experience.

  The factory front coil springs on a 66-77 Ford Bronco were linear rate, meaning they had the same spring rate throughout the compression of the spring. Our early Bronco coils today are progressive rate. These coil springs provide a softer ride for everyday driving. Once the first layer of springs is compressed, a second layer engages which has a stiffer spring rate to prevent overcompression of the suspension when put to heavy use. This is one example of modern technology upgrades that help to improve the ride of your classic Bronco.

• Enhanced Off-Road Performance

  Another major reason Bronco drivers update their suspension is to enhance the off-road performance of their vehicles. This is where you start to see some of the more complex suspension systems that feature components designed to improve articulation and control in various terrains. The primary goals for these upgraded suspensions are to increase ground clearance, improve wheel travel and maximize traction. These suspensions tend to see relocated and redesigned shock mounts and suspension arms to allow for improved articulation. This ensures all four wheels stay on the ground as much as possible as the Bronco lifts and twists over extreme obstacles.