Rear spacer question

[gorgin4325]

Hi guys,

I need some help, please!

This Tuesday, I will have a set of Badlands SAS 4-door, 2.7 shocks and springs installed on my non-SAS BD 2.3L. I load the car up frequently, and currently, the rear sags about 1-2 on average, depending on what I carry for a camping trip.

Here is my dilemma. I have a set of RC 1-inch leveling kits. The plates fit both the front and rear shocks to "level" the Bronco. But I want to raise the rear slightly, so when I add weight to the back, it would be leveled.

Since I'm going with 2.7L front springs on a 2.3, do you believe my Bronco will be leveled without any spacers? If so, then I should be able to add one spacer in the rear to make it level after adding weight in the back. Is that reasonable? Now, do I add 2 plates per rear shock or just one per side? I wonder if anyone has done this before with similar objectives.

I wish it was easier to add/remove spacers, so I could just find out for myself and make adjustments as necessary. But since a 4x4 shop is doing the installation, I don't want to have it done twice.

Thank you,


ps, this is what is looks like on an average 2-3 day camping trip with no passengers.

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[87-Z28]

In the front, SAS 2.7 spring will likely be slightly heavier than your hitachi 2.3 springs. So probably lift the front a bit more than the 1” SAS non SAS difference. The SAS rear springs should lift the rear close to 1” when unloaded. When loaded you will likely still have issues with the back.

Your use case with loading the back when camping is probably best resolved with new springs. If you are looking for a quick solution. You could try to put a spacer lift on the back only. The thickness of the spacer will be about the amount of lift you will get in the back. The spacer thickness times 1.5 (motion ratio) will be close to lift you get in the front. In the back spacers only fit above the shock top hat, due to how bottom mount is.

Here is a thread for new springs. I think maybe dobinsons springs fit the SAS bills. I would call them and ask. They probably have a few different options.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/finally-found-hd-rear-springs-that-work.75520/

 

[gorgin4325]

In the front, SAS 2.7 spring will likely be slightly heavier than your hitachi 2.3 springs. So probably lift the front a bit more than the 1” SAS non SAS difference. The SAS rear springs should lift the rear close to 1” when unloaded. When loaded you will likely still have issues with the back.

Your use case with loading the back when camping is probably best resolved with new springs. If you are looking for a quick solution. You could try to put a spacer lift on the back only. The thickness of the spacer will be about the amount of lift you will get in the back. The spacer thickness times 1.5 (motion ratio) will be close to lift you get in the front. In the back spacers only fit above the shock top hat, due to how bottom mount is.

Here is a thread for new springs. I think maybe dobinsons springs fit the SAS bills. I would call them and ask. They probably have a few different options.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/finally-found-hd-rear-springs-that-work.75520/

Thank you. This is tremendously helpful. For the sake of time, I think I will just add one plate on each rear top hat tomorrow and see what happens! Fingers crossed!
Thanks again.

 

[kodiakisland]

Yes, you can add the spacer on the rear. It may or may not do what you want, as spring rate will stay the same. Adjustable rear coilovers might be a better option.

 

[87-Z28]

If you are paying someone to do this I would take my time and think through the springs. Do it once. Especially if your use case is with back loaded frequently.

 

[87-Z28]

Just to be clear. Adding a spacer to rear will increase your rake when unloaded and thus help some when loaded. However it will be unlevel when not loaded. Spring rate doesn’t change. You will probably not be happy with the spacer solution.

The best long term solution is to get a heavier spring in the back so you can ride with a slight rake but still near level when loaded. The heavier spring will carry more static load and thus deflect less when loaded. Springs are not very expensive and the SAS shocks are good. Just need to get the correct springs.

 

[gorgin4325]

Just to be clear. Adding a spacer to rear will increase your rake when unloaded and thus help some when loaded. However it will be unlevel when not loaded. Spring rate doesn’t change. You will probably not be happy with the spacer solution.

The best long term solution is to get a heavier spring in the back so you can ride with a slight rake but still near level when loaded. The heavier spring will carry more static load and thus deflect less when loaded. Springs are not very expensive and the SAS shocks are good. Just need to get the correct springs.

Thank you again. I'll have to do some research on springs. I really hope the SAS shocks and springs without any spacers will make my Bronco slightly higher in the back. I don't mind a little rake when I'm on trips, but ideally, I'd like to be leveled under load. But I do admit, 95% of my daily driving is commuting to work. I am only camping about twice per month. So is it really worth addressing the issue? I'm still not sure.

 

[swami37]

Thank you again. I'll have to do some research on springs. I really hope the SAS shocks and springs without any spacers will make my Bronco slightly higher in the back. I don't mind a little rake when I'm on trips, but ideally, I'd like to be leveled under load. But I do admit, 95% of my daily driving is commuting to work. I am only camping about twice per month. So is it really worth addressing the issue? I'm still not sure.

No. I would not waste my money. Your loaded rig looks fine to my eye.

 

[gorgin4325]

Just to be clear. Adding a spacer to rear will increase your rake when unloaded and thus help some when loaded. However it will be unlevel when not loaded. Spring rate doesn’t change. You will probably not be happy with the spacer solution.

The best long term solution is to get a heavier spring in the back so you can ride with a slight rake but still near level when loaded. The heavier spring will carry more static load and thus deflect less when loaded. Springs are not very expensive and the SAS shocks are good. Just need to get the correct springs.

I'm so glad I listened to you! I opted for no spacers, and the stance looks awesome! At least when not loaded. I'll post a pic soon when it stops raining!

Thanks again @87-Z28 @swami37 @kodiakisland

 

[87-Z28]

Just curious. The SAS springs should have close to an 1” of rake as designed. With the 2.7 front springs your rake may be closer to 0.5” or possibly level? Can you measure when you add a pic?

 

[gorgin4325]

Before:

Front (bottom of the wheel to fender flare): 30 5/8
Rear (bottom of the wheel to fender flare): 30 7/8
Middle (Ground to bottom of rock rail): 15 7/8

After:

Front (bottom of the wheel to fender flare): 32 1/2
Rear (bottom of the wheel to fender flare): 32 3/4
Middle (Ground to bottom of rock rail): 18

There may be a little bit of discrepancy as the ground was not level when I measured it before the installation. But I doubt it is much.

 

[swami37]

Before:

Front (bottom of the wheel to fender flare): 30 5/8
Rear (bottom of the wheel to fender flare): 30 7/8
Middle (Ground to bottom of rock rail): 15 7/8

After:

Front (bottom of the wheel to fender flare): 32 1/2
Rear (bottom of the wheel to fender flare): 32 3/4
Middle (Ground to bottom of rock rail): 18

There may be a little bit of discrepancy as the ground was not level when I measured it before the installation. But I doubt it is much.

Looks great. Enjoy it

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