Sponsored

5" inch lift?

CitrusBronco

Everglades
Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
May 12, 2024
Threads
25
Messages
1,233
Reaction score
2,502
Location
Citrus county, FL
Vehicle(s)
Former 72 & 73 Bronco driver, f250 7.3 powerstroke
Your Bronco Model
Everglades
Clubs
 
Have you EVER placed a drop bracket up against a rock?.... They sure do NOT slide over very easily.... In fact they act like a great big anchor..... I can slide a stock bronco with 35s over a rock using the skids.... The Drop Bracket will NOT just slide over rocks... Show me a drop bracket skid.... I have seen a couple of home made ones... BUT NOTHING on the market. All for 1 or maybe 2 inches of clearance.... While that is a lot of clearance starting at 11.8 inches, I will take the full skid over a drop bracket any day of the week. That is the point of the Bronco..... It is ready. If you want to improve it, that takes a hell of a lot of money because there are NOT any quick easy, inexpensive improvements to make.

Sure a drop bracket allows a much larger tire..... for looks. I honestly think a drop bracket lift actually makes the bronco LESS capable. But what do I know.... I have never been off road...
I think you missed the point of my post, portals are just unobtainable for many people.
I agree with your points however keep in mind not everyone has rocks to craw over and the drop bracket is still higher than a solid axle is from the ground when you’re plowing through mud and snow.
If rocks is your game you certainly should look at other options besides the drop bracket.
Sponsored

 

5GENIDN

Heritage
Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jul 1, 2023
Threads
12
Messages
3,585
Reaction score
10,353
Location
Idaho
Vehicle(s)
23 Ford Bronco Heritage Limited 2dr
Your Bronco Model
Heritage
Clubs
 
I think you missed the point of my post, portals are just unobtainable for many people.
I agree with your points however keep in mind not everyone has rocks to craw over and the drop bracket is still higher than a solid axle is from the ground when you’re plowing through mud and snow.
If rocks is your game you certainly should look at other options besides the drop bracket.
I live in Idaho.... EVERY run (other than a forest service road) has some rocks or huge wash outs that may only be dirt but act just the same.... I have a drop bracket on my truck (my first IFS ever on a 4x4) that damn thing is a snow plow blade. And No... it is NOT higher than a solid axle... at least not much... MAYBE an inch? It extends below and cradles the pumpkin. It extends all the way across from lower control arm to lower control arm.... A pumpkin is in ONE spot.... The axle tubes ride several inches higher. Now if you could put a skid plate under it.... Now you are talking.... That would help dramatically. But right now you are going to custom make that.
 

CitrusBronco

Everglades
Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
May 12, 2024
Threads
25
Messages
1,233
Reaction score
2,502
Location
Citrus county, FL
Vehicle(s)
Former 72 & 73 Bronco driver, f250 7.3 powerstroke
Your Bronco Model
Everglades
Clubs
 
I live in Idaho.... EVERY run (other than a forest service road) has some rocks or huge wash outs that may only be dirt but act just the same.... I have a drop bracket on my truck (my first IFS ever on a 4x4) that damn thing is a snow plow blade. And No... it is NOT higher than a solid axle... at least not much... MAYBE an inch? It extends below and cradles the pumpkin. It extends all the way across from lower control arm to lower control arm.... A pumpkin is in ONE spot.... The axle tubes ride several inches higher. Now if you could put a skid plate under it.... Now you are talking.... That would help dramatically. But right now you are going to custom make that.
The only way to gain ground clearance with a SFA as you’re aware is larger tires so wheel placement is needed to keep from hanging up. That’s really no different with IFS and a drop bracket, wheel placement still matters. Skid or no skid it’s best to avoid plowing into rocks, unfortunately it can’t always be avoided as you point out.
Which lift are you running?

I bet you have some great wheeling opportunities in Idaho, what a great place to have a Bronco.
 

PetePerkins

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Pete
Joined
May 29, 2024
Threads
18
Messages
201
Reaction score
312
Location
TN
Vehicle(s)
2024 Black Diamond
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
I never claimed to have first hand experience with their portals, so lets clear that up. You do, which instead condescendingly saying "I'm ready to learn", you could have said that from the start.

SO let's get the d**k measuring out of the way, I am an engineer and I've designed custom gearing solutions on million dollar automated systems. I'm not an idiot who thinks marketing phrases mean anything.
1756146074029-90.png


Yall coming at me hard because I think it means something that 74Weld races with their portals is wild. Again, to me that just means they've had to make a product that works because if they didn't, you better believe they'd be getting dropped. There's nothing worse in racing than losing, and losing money, because stuff breaks down.

Do I think all their stuff is "race level" of course not, but if you're designing parts for race applications, again, lessons get learned and re-applied to other products.

Now, my guess @SierraBronco is that you have a specific rub with Quinn or someone else at 74Weld (beyond the issues you've seen with leaks, I didn't go through all your threads because I don't have 3 days to read all of that rn). When I had a phone conversation with Quinn sometime last year, he specifically made it a point to tell me how much better portals were than IFS long arm kits. You are apparently working on an IFS long arm kit of some sort, so I'm guessing that is part of the hostility toward anyone who dares say they think 74Weld is quality. Honestly, I don't even know if Quinn is still there, but it certainly sounds like there is an axe to grind against someone over there...

So, back to my first post in this thread, someone PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me why a drop bracket suspension is better than portals. I still haven't heard an argument to that. If you wanna talk about full IFS long arm suspension, that's a whole separate argument, one that I haven't expressed any opinion on at this point...
There he goes again! Calls someone a crackhead and now playing the victim...he can't help himself. Hilarious. Ok I'm out, I need to find a puddle to drive through with my snorkel lol
 
Last edited:

5GENIDN

Heritage
Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jul 1, 2023
Threads
12
Messages
3,585
Reaction score
10,353
Location
Idaho
Vehicle(s)
23 Ford Bronco Heritage Limited 2dr
Your Bronco Model
Heritage
Clubs
 
The only way to gain ground clearance with a SFA as you’re aware is larger tires so wheel placement is needed to keep from hanging up. That’s really no different with IFS and a drop bracket, wheel placement still matters. Skid or no skid it’s best to avoid plowing into rocks, unfortunately it can’t always be avoided as you point out.
Which lift are you running?

I bet you have some great wheeling opportunities in Idaho, what a great place to have a Bronco.
On my truck (2009 GMC Canyon) I am running a Rancho 5 inch with a custom spring over in the back....

My Bronco I have 74 weld portals and King coil overs.

This was this last weekend.(Saturday)
 

Sponsored

CitrusBronco

Everglades
Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
May 12, 2024
Threads
25
Messages
1,233
Reaction score
2,502
Location
Citrus county, FL
Vehicle(s)
Former 72 & 73 Bronco driver, f250 7.3 powerstroke
Your Bronco Model
Everglades
Clubs
 
On my truck (2009 GMC Canyon) I am running a Rancho 5 inch with a custom spring over in the back....

My Bronco I have 74 weld portals and King coil overs.

This was this last weekend.(Saturday)
Beautiful country, I kept expecting to see a mule deer step out on the trail.
 

5GENIDN

Heritage
Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jul 1, 2023
Threads
12
Messages
3,585
Reaction score
10,353
Location
Idaho
Vehicle(s)
23 Ford Bronco Heritage Limited 2dr
Your Bronco Model
Heritage
Clubs
 
Beautiful country, I kept expecting to see a mule deer step out on the trail.
There are quite a few... A whole bunch of wild horses as well.... although they are usually in the rolling hills just below this area....
 

Brian_B

Big Bend
Well-Known Member
First Name
Brian
Joined
Sep 14, 2023
Threads
60
Messages
8,292
Reaction score
14,697
Location
Central CA
Vehicle(s)
'23 BB 4dr 7MT, '22 BSport OBX, '87 B-II XL
Your Bronco Model
Big Bend
Clubs
 
If it’s just to look cool - get the ProComp
Coil overs, crank the adjustment to max - and that’s not far off from 5” of lift right there. Your front CVs will stay within safe bounds, no crazy brackets required, and you get semi-close to HOSS 2 level performance without the risk of a reservoir falling off.
You will need UCAs and a rear trac bar bracket, but there are inexpensive options there.

(This is not a great idea, just for the record, but it would work and it isn’t Portal money)
 

Oldhippie

Big Bend
Well-Known Member
First Name
Barry
Joined
Nov 1, 2021
Threads
14
Messages
2,156
Reaction score
5,433
Location
Santa Cruz, Calif.
Vehicle(s)
BMW X1, ‘1928 model A, “23 Bronco
Your Bronco Model
Big Bend
My guess is the OP just wants a big lift and 38”s on 24”s to look kool, so the RC lift would be just fine….after all that is what it was designed for…party on!
 

Jdyount

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Jason
Joined
Jul 13, 2020
Threads
31
Messages
1,065
Reaction score
3,017
Location
Kansas
Vehicle(s)
2021 Badlands
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
I’ m your huckleberry, I want in on the gangbang.
The drop bracket is superior due to $$cost which allows everyone to participate.
Ignoring the fact that the high cost of the portals themselves is outside many people’s budget they also require frequent service to maintain, plus other upgrades to the truck which raise the cost even more. So for most people portals are to damn expensive and have no business being brought into a conversation about normal budget lift options.
😉 I did my best to answer that for you.
You didn't read the whole thread. The context was other than cost. Yes portals are very expensive, yes they require more maintenance, but they are a superior option. Dude I originally responded to said he would rather have a drop bracket lift vs portals, given that you have the money to have that choice, portals are far superior.

Also, the only lift a drop bracket gives you is moving the axles away from the frame. It doesn't provide any additional ground clearance. You can already run 37s or 38s with a standard 2"-3" suspension lift, a 5"-7" drop bracket only lets you run 40s if you wanna trim body, a LOT. So really there is no big advantage and you're much better off not messing up your center of gravity and staying with a regular lift, or going to portals for a few extra inches of clearance if you have the money, or there may be some other options to consider, like long arm IFS.

The one thing drop bracket lifts are good for are for people who love the mall that wanna "look" like they off-road. You could probably stuff 40s with enough wheel spacer, if you NEVER articulate the suspension, or turn very hard...
 

Sponsored

Jdyount

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Jason
Joined
Jul 13, 2020
Threads
31
Messages
1,065
Reaction score
3,017
Location
Kansas
Vehicle(s)
2021 Badlands
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
There he goes again! Calls someone a crackhead and now playing the victim...he can't help himself. Hilarious. Ok I'm out, I need to find a puddle to drive through with my snorkel lol
Lets see some pics of you putting that snorkel to good use! Tell you what, I'll post a water crossing pic first.
Ford Bronco 5" inch lift? 1756214687382-hi
 
Last edited:

SierraBronco

Wildtrak
Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2024
Threads
41
Messages
5,149
Reaction score
13,856
Location
USA
Vehicle(s)
2022 Wildtrak, 2024 Wildtrak, 2024 Wildtrak
Your Bronco Model
Wildtrak
You didn't read the whole thread. The context was other than cost. Yes portals are very expensive, yes they require more maintenance, but they are a superior option. Dude I originally responded to said he would rather have a drop bracket lift vs portals, given that you have the money to have that choice, portals are far superior.

The one thing drop bracket lifts are good for are for people who love the mall that wanna "look" like they off-road. You could probably stuff 40s with enough wheel spacer, if you NEVER articulate the suspension, or turn very hard...
Portal drawbacks (covered more thoroughly in the portal review thread) :
Cost, as mentioned already
Maintenance, as mentioned already. Some manufacturers are easier than others
Added complexity. If you can’t wrench on your own stuff you might have a bad time if you run into a problem on the trail.
Scrub radius
Unsprung mass
Significant increase of stress on suspension mounts
Suspension kinematics wrecked
COG increase
Depending on the company, proprietary parts that can only be sourced from the company.
Portal rigs start bouncing sooner than conventional rigs. Especially those using rubber in their rod ends.
Surface leaks are annoying, but axle seal leaks are not fun. Pushing portal oil out and into the axle housing, but unless you diligently watch temperatures-you won’t know it’s happening.
Can’t weld on the billet options
No increase of articulation. You only gain clearance and the gear reduction.
The drivetrain stress reduction is significantly exaggerated and only applies when the tires are spinning.
 

PetePerkins

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Pete
Joined
May 29, 2024
Threads
18
Messages
201
Reaction score
312
Location
TN
Vehicle(s)
2024 Black Diamond
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Lets see some pics of you putting that snorkel to good use! Tell you what, I'll post a water crossing pic first.
1756214687382-hi.png
I'll post a pic of me and your .... creating our own water crossing. Try contributing to a conversation without showing your lack of maturity, social skills and respect.
 

CitrusBronco

Everglades
Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
May 12, 2024
Threads
25
Messages
1,233
Reaction score
2,502
Location
Citrus county, FL
Vehicle(s)
Former 72 & 73 Bronco driver, f250 7.3 powerstroke
Your Bronco Model
Everglades
Clubs
 
You didn't read the whole thread. The context was other than cost. Yes portals are very expensive, yes they require more maintenance, but they are a superior option. Dude I originally responded to said he would rather have a drop bracket lift vs portals, given that you have the money to have that choice, portals are far superior.

Also, the only lift a drop bracket gives you is moving the axles away from the frame. It doesn't provide any additional ground clearance. You can already run 37s or 38s with a standard 2"-3" suspension lift, a 5"-7" drop bracket only lets you run 40s if you wanna trim body, a LOT. So really there is no big advantage and you're much better off not messing up your center of gravity and staying with a regular lift, or going to portals for a few extra inches of clearance if you have the money, or there may be some other options to consider, like long arm IFS.

The one thing drop bracket lifts are good for are for people who love the mall that wanna "look" like they off-road. You could probably stuff 40s with enough wheel spacer, if you NEVER articulate the suspension, or turn very hard...
You didn't read the whole thread. The context was other than cost. Yes portals are very expensive, yes they require more maintenance, but they are a superior option. Dude I originally responded to said he would rather have a drop bracket lift vs portals, given that you have the money to have that choice, portals are far superior.

Also, the only lift a drop bracket gives you is moving the axles away from the frame. It doesn't provide any additional ground clearance. You can already run 37s or 38s with a standard 2"-3" suspension lift, a 5"-7" drop bracket only lets you run 40s if you wanna trim body, a LOT. So really there is no big advantage and you're much better off not messing up your center of gravity and staying with a regular lift, or going to portals for a few extra inches of clearance if you have the money, or there may be some other options to consider, like long arm IFS.

The one thing drop bracket lifts are good for are for people who love the mall that wanna "look" like they off-road. You could probably stuff 40s with enough wheel spacer, if you NEVER articulate the suspension, or turn very hard...
I read it all and just wanted to join in on the fun argument I mean discussion.
portals rock if you can afford them otherwise they don’t even exist as a option.
rock on portal gods, your machines are bad ass. Maybe one day I’ll be able to join in.
 

Valhalla

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Valhalla
Joined
Jan 29, 2017
Threads
89
Messages
3,640
Reaction score
7,086
Location
Chattanooga Tn
Vehicle(s)
2023 Bronco,1996 Bronco, '05F350, '14JKU, '13Silverado, '26Atlas cross sport
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
To the OP, Body lift, slight suspension lift gets my vote. We are waiting on intend use and long term use plans. I'd stay away from rough country unless it will never see offroad and you don't care about diminished resale. I actually think a small drop bracket is a good idea for the cv's and for more articulation. I have broken a CV which Ford replaced. (using turn brake, lesson learned). I don't think you are looking at portals, but I'd look at the discussions on here about them. I'd look at BIGMEATS build as he did some drop bracket low suspension stuff to do 42's. If you are wheeling you need to seriously consider upgrading the drive line to handle anything outside a 37. You can run bigger with abundant caution and the knowledge that you will have premature failure on components.

I wheel as often as I can, I have a long-term build that will go to 39/40's. Money is the only thing in the way. I plan on the ultimate front and rear and going wider on the arms RCV axles and 2" lift.
Hope this helps...

I guess I need a water crossing pic and a pic of some offroad...
Ford Bronco 5" inch lift? 20230114_110148
Ford Bronco 5" inch lift? scan0019
Ford Bronco 5" inch lift? Resized_20231028_101743
Sponsored

 
 





Top