I just got an 86 Bronco so I can have something to off-road in while I save up money for a rockcrawler. The whole thing was $500 so you get the idea that I don't want to spend a whole lot of money on it. It has been sitting for the last 8 years and I have (or am going to) replace the starter, sparkplugs, battery, solenoid, air filter, oil, transmission fluid, transfer case fluid, diff fluid, and brakes. It has alot of engine work done to it by the first owner who also owned a drag shop. Basically everything on the engine is aftermarket and puts out about 375hp. It's a 351w BTW. It has the 4 spd granny transmission (np435 i think). I'm not sure what transfer case it has (I don't know much about fords other than the engines and automatic transmissions). It has the D44 TTB front and 8.8 rear axle with 3.08 gears (that's what I was told, I'll have to check them later).

I want to build this up to do some moderate trails. Mud and rock mix in North Alabama. But it all needs to be done cheap, and I don't want to cut up the body. I'm aiming for 35"-36" tires.

I found some brackets from Sky manufacturing for $120 that relocates the rear leaf springs and gives 4.5" of lift. I'm thinking about welding up the 8.8 and maybe the front 44 since it has lockout hubs.

What do you recommend for a cheap way to lift the front end? If not anything cheap, are there any kits that you'd recommend? What issues need to be addressed with the steering and driveshafts with ~4"s of lift.

What about the 3.08 gears and 36" tires? I know this wouldn't work in a Jeep, but will the granny low be low enough to make up for it on the street and with it in 4lo be good enough offroad? Also, what about the 8.8 holding up to 36"s after it's been welded up with 375hp?

I've also been thinking about making a transfer case skidplate unless it was an option on some ford trucks that I could just get from a junkyard.

That's all I've thought of yet. Any other opinions/things I should look out for with this model bronco?

fullsizebronco.com forum, nuff said

wes

Yea, I've been looking around there a little bit. That's where I found out about the rear shackle flip. Also, just read something about f350 coils can be modified to fit and give about 4"s of lift. Only thing I'm concerned with is will it be extremely oversprung due to the bronco being lighter?

fronts are a little tough to keep real cheap unless you find someone selling a used kit, as most of us are going SAS.
For the rear, skip the SKY stuff and just go pull front hangars from a rear spring set up off a F250 and use those with the stock shackles for added lift.

if you're going to go to the trouble of lifting the ttb, you may as well do a solid axle swap. It'll probably cost you about the same.

Originally posted by Dave C
if you're going to go to the trouble of lifting the ttb, you may as well do a solid axle swap. It'll probably cost you about the same.

maybe if hes buying a brand new ttb lift, but it would be half the cost if he found a used lift from someone. the sas is not as cheap as you may think

the rear there are a ton of options the so you have to decide what you want to do most of which are fairly cheap unless you go and buy brand new springs w/ custom arches and bs like that.

for the front either find a used TTB lift or do a SAS if you are planning on turning this into your rock crawler then go ahead and do the SAS and you'll be happier with yourself this will keep you from having to do this in the future.

as for 3.08 gears they suck when off road if you are running 36's then granny low will be a fairly high first gear so no real low end get up and go. offroad on a hill your gonna be wishing for lower gears even in 4lo my

rear find a salvage yard 9" with 3.73 or 4.10 and bolt it up, I say 9 because it would be easier to change gears later when you have more $$ if you want to keep it and if you break the axle shaft you can still get home most of the time anyway. as for the front depends on if you do a SAS or keep TTB. if you keep TTB then search for a different pumpkin to match whaterver you decide you want to go with for gear ratios.

If you have a u-pull it yard around you and time then you should be able to do it pretty cheap.

I had a set of F350 coils in my bronco. There are no mods required to bolt them in. They give about 4 inches lift. You will still need to source a set of drop brackets for the beams and radius arms. 4.10 front pumpkins are out there. I paid 250 for the last one I got. Try looking in F250's with the ifs 44 front. As far as the rear, any 9 inch from about 76ish up will bolt in. Or, you could stay with the 8.8 as they are pretty strong, although I am not a fan of the c clip axles.

as far as axle strength, there is no real difference between the 9" and 8.8 you have, so I would just weld up the rear you have in there.. If you really want a 9" figure $100 to get one, and $30 for a mini spool, vs. free for welding it.

The front end, there is no real cheap way to get a decent amount of lift. I put in a set of 2" plow springs up front, and it was still possible to align. $110 for the springs, $150 for 4 new shocks for the front. Rear I put in a set of factory 4" blocks to replace the 2" ones that come stock. Then added a 3" body lift and it fits 35x12.50's easy.

So far, I have tried my damnest to break a front axle in the 44, but just can't do it. Once i lock it, I may start breaking shit, but I doubt it. remember, a 44 is a 44, is a 44. The TTB still has the same size shafts and joints as the SA version.

Gearing? Yeah, 3.08's suck, but with a 4 speed it should be fine. Figure it's either a T-18, with a 6.32 first gear, or a NP-435 with a 6.69 first gear.Your T-case is either a NP 208, witha 2.6:1 low range, or a BW 13-45 with a 2.74:1 low. Right now I have 35's on my truck, with 3.50 gears and the only time i use 1rst is on a big hill, or pulling a big trailer, otherwise it will take off in 2nd just fine.

If I was you, I would weld the diffs, put 2" springs up front, add-a-leafs out back, and hack the fenders a little. Then toss on either 34x9.50 swampers, or Q78's