I am putting a set of 2 1/2 ton rockwells under my 86 bronco, and I can't figure out how much to lift it. It would be easy to just lift it 4 or 5 feet above stock, but I am trying to keep my center of gravity as low as possible, so how much up-travel should I dial into the suspention?

I'm not trying to build a super flexy rockcrawler, just an all around trail rig (mud-trails-hills-water, not to much rock around here). I plan on using coils and building a 5 link, so I suspect it will have a lot of suspention drop, but cause of the Rockwell center section I need to use bumpstops to prevent the axle from conecting with my oil pan, so how should I set up the bumpstops?

Thanks all
JYS

to locate the bumpstops just pull the springs out, put a block of wood the same height as your bumpstop between the two closest points on the axle and measure to install the stops just touching. as the stops can't compress the full amount of their height you should end up with a touch of clearance left. I'd be tempted to cycle the suspension articulation wise just to make sure nothing funky hits when wheeling too.

Thanks Mytzlflick, but thats not quite what I was trying to ask. What I ment to ask was: What is the minimum amount of space I can have between the axle and the bumpstops while the suspention is at rest . Is 4 inches to small? How about 6"? I think anything over 8" will be to tall.

Thanks,
JYS

there is no "minimum" space for bumpstops, the space i different for nearly every vehicle.
you need to see how far up the axle can travel without hitting anything, i.e. frame, oilpan, ect.. ect.. you also need to see how far up the tires will be able to travel without rubbing on the body, unless you are trimming everything.
so,,i could say put the space at 4" because thats where mine are, but what if your pumkin hits your oilpan?? you'll be pretty pissed at me i bet.

I think what the slug is trying to say is he is planning to set up his bump stops just like described above, then after he does that he want to know how high he should build his suspension above that.

This all depends on intended use. Jeep wranglers only have about an inch of uptravel stock same with many 4x4 1 tons in the front. If you don't want to hit rough stuff fast you don't need much uptravel at all. Yeah 4 inches sounds pretty reasonable, there are lots of rock crawlers running around with no more than that.

You really need to cycle the suspension... one tire up and the tire other down along with both tires up, then you can locate three bumpstops..right/left/center...On mine, there might be 4 or 5" at the center stop and 6 or 7" out by the coilover mts.
You are on the right track trying to keep it low, just make sure everything still clears after the bumpstop compresses.

ahh, sorry.
the minimum will depend on a lot of things, if you use a soft progressive bumpstop you can get away with it being closer. I drive an lsvw up here in the army and fully loaded the front suspension is touching the bumpstop sitting on flat ground, rides like shit.