Suspension clearance - Overlanding

[Tyson]

I have a quick question - I have a 4 door Bronco Badlands (V6) with a 2” lift over Sasquatch package by using a Stage 7 icon lift with heavy springs in the rear. I have an additional 200lb in the front from a winch and bumper and typically carry 650lb of additional weight with overland gear including RTT. My suspension droops 1.5” with all this additional weight. I was thinking of getting 1.5 spacer lift from Broncbuster. I believe they just sit on top of the shocks. Would this have any adverse affects? I was thinking custom airbags in the back as an alternative solution. Thoughts?

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[Aonarch]

Spacer lifts can cause the shock to bottom out and damage it.

Can you not just adjust up your coilovers, or swap for heavier spring rates?

 

[popo_patty]

Spacer lifts can cause the shock to bottom out and damage it.

Can you not just adjust up your coilovers, or swap for heavier spring rates?

True, and also overextend the axle.

Spring rate swap for the win.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

How about you do the smart thing and trim some of that weight?

Bronco payload isn’t that great; it’s not an overlander like an old Land Cruiser. I assume the 650lbs you state is before you add in people. You’re likely way over your gross vehicle limit. You may want to look at an aluminum bumper and sell the steel, then focus on more ultralight gear and storage options, so yes, I’m saying ditch the fancy Roam boxes for something soft or very light.

Unless you’re taking that Bronco down to South America, I’m sure you can shave some of that gear to only the essential for a few days in the backcountry. 650lbs is a lot of gear.

Ground tents still work well. Remember that placing out small containers of ammonia keeps all manner of critters away including snakes and bears. You want to space these sort of away from your camp, but not too far and it doesn’t take a lot since they can smell much better than you can.

 

[Aonarch]

How about you do the smart thing and trim some of that weight?

Bronco payload isn’t that great; it’s not an overlander like an old Land Cruiser. I assume the 650lbs you state is before you add in people. You’re likely way over your gross vehicle limit. You may want to look at an aluminum number and sell the steel, then focus on more ultralight gear and storage options, so yes, I’m saying ditch the fancy Roam boxes for something soft or very light.

Unless you’re taking that Bronco down to South America, I’m sure you can shave some of that gear to only the essential for a few days in the backcountry. 650lbs is a lot of gear.

Ground tents still work well. Remember that placing out small containers of ammonia keeps all manner of critters away including snakes and bears. You want to space these sort of away from your camp, but not too far and it doesn’t take a lot since they can smell much better than you can.

I've removed 20 lbs from this list now.

So fully loaded (Passengers, food, water, etc) I still have 215 or so pounds of payload remaining.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

I've removed 20 lbs from this list now.

So fully loaded (Passengers, food, water, etc) I still have 215 or so pounds of payload remaining.

That’s a good list and smart for you to keep up with. 215lbs is a good amount.

I think where Ford may have missed on things, is the love for RTTs. RTTs alone add at times up to 150lbs on a removable top that must be supported in dynamic load. I see yours is smaller and lighter, so that’s great.

Not sure what the fix would have been, such as a more weight bearing suspension and stronger frame, but truth is, they make sense on a 4Runner or a pickup bed, but on a Bronco with the removable top, they can cause some concern. Haven’t seen any crazy failures of the roofs, but I imaging the weight makes wheeling a bit more tricky to balance.

 

[Mike leggiero]

Get new springs. Do not do spacers with that set up . The problem with spacer most people put the wrong ones in. Any thing over 24.4 in will bind a cv. Broncos have inturnal bump stops. Most other companys have exturnal bumps that the problam with spacers lifts people dont add new bump stops .

 

[AccuTune Offroad]

Sounds like Ride Shocks would have been a good option with this much weight.

@Tyson if you are running aftermarket Icon coilovers, you should be able to add preload to regain some ride height. I would consult with them to see how much preload can be added to their springs before needing to upgrade to a heavier rate. What is the weight range for their springs? Do they have an upgrade option above what you are running now?

 

[Tyson]

Thanks!! I think I am going to do a few things, work on reducing payload weight by switching as much stuff from steel to aluminum. Eliminating some nice to haves, consider buying a turtleback trailer. I have heavier springs in back and it helped tremendously. The front I think can be cured by stripping a 100lbs in steel.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Thanks!! I think I am going to do a few things, work on reducing payload weight by switching as much stuff from steel to aluminum. Eliminating some nice to haves, consider buying a turtleback trailer. I have heavier springs in back and it helped tremendously. The front I think can be cured by stripping a 100lbs in steel.

You’re going to save on some gas and I bet the truck will overall wheel much better and easier. If you’re on the stock steering rack, that weight is also stressing those parts as well, so a reduction gives you some grace with the rack as well.

I hope you do try to recoup some of the money spent by selling some of the parts you take off (please just do it safely) and your overall experience with the Bronco should improve.

Many have requested a Bronco with a fixed roof and higher payload for overlanding. If Ford won’t do that, bringing over the Everest would be the best of everything. I love that truck! The Aussies have it good.

Best to you man!

 

[Muffin Top]

I have a 4 door Bronco Badlands (V6) with a 2” lift over Sasquatch package by using a Stage 7 icon lift with heavy springs in the rear. I was thinking of getting 1.5 spacer lift from Broncbuster. I believe they just sit on top of the shocks. Would this have any adverse affects?

I always thought of Icon as having one of the longer front suspension travels, so I would be worried about having too much droop up front, which could cause the front CVs to bind (i.e., break).


I would suggest checking with Icon to get their thoughts on how much front top-hat spacer is compatible with their lift.


https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/some-stock-suspension-calculations-and-measurements.73917/

 

[Aonarch]

That’s a good list and smart for you to keep up with. 215lbs is a good amount.

I think where Ford may have missed on things, is the love for RTTs. RTTs alone add at times up to 150lbs on a removable top that must be supported in dynamic load. I see yours is smaller and lighter, so that’s great.

Not sure what the fix would have been, such as a more weight bearing suspension and stronger frame, but truth is, they make sense on a 4Runner or a pickup bed, but on a Bronco with the removable top, they can cause some concern. Haven’t seen any crazy failures of the roofs, but I imaging the weight makes wheeling a bit more tricky to balance.

I have the Trail Rax with Pak Rax. It distributes the load to the body where the rear quarter panels bolt up.

This is the only acceptable solution IMO.

The factory roof cannot handle much if any weight.

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