[AbandonedBronco]

How's the ride of your new leaf springs? Did they raise the rear any?

It's actually really hard to tell if it raised the rear, since I replaced the front coils at the same time. I didn't measure before.
However, there seems to be about an inch or more space between the tires and the fenders, which says a lot.

The ride is amazing. It's so cushy, it's like a new truck. Even off-road, we were going over some serious rocks and rough road, and it was the most comfortable trip I'd ever been on in it.
Ahhh... loved it.

I mean... If the road is bad enough to do this when I misjudged some rocks, and I'm saying the ride is cushy... Yeah, I'm really happy with my new springs and coils. lol

Not too happy about my skid plate though.

 

[Doosenberry]

That looks like it hit right about where the brace is on the inside of the skid plate. Dented the tank?

 

[Hillbilly Heaven]

Wow is that one of JBG skid plates?

 

[AbandonedBronco]

That looks like it hit right about where the brace is on the inside of the skid plate. Dented the tank?

I'm not sure on the tank yet. I'm assuming so, although there is about an inch between the plate and the tank. So, maybe not. Either way, I imagine if it's dented, it's not dented very much.

Wow is that one of JBG skid plates?

It is! It's a pretty hefty gauge too! Really came down on that rock, hard.
It surprised us all, since no one saw the drop until after.

 

[SRWillis]

It's actually really hard to tell if it raised the rear, since I replaced the front coils at the same time. I didn't measure before.
However, there seems to be about an inch or more space between the tires and the fenders, which says a lot.

The ride is amazing. It's so cushy, it's like a new truck. Even off-road, we were going over some serious rocks and rough road, and it was the most comfortable trip I'd ever been on in it.
Ahhh... loved it.

Thanks for the report, sounds like what I need. I want to do them before or the same time as my ZF5 swap.

You did a number on the skid plate, but that's what they're for!

 

[Flesh Eater]

It's actually really hard to tell if it raised the rear, since I replaced the front coils at the same time. I didn't measure before.
However, there seems to be about an inch or more space between the tires and the fenders, which says a lot.

The ride is amazing. It's so cushy, it's like a new truck. Even off-road, we were going over some serious rocks and rough road, and it was the most comfortable trip I'd ever been on in it.
Ahhh... loved it.

I mean... If the road is bad enough to do this when I misjudged some rocks, and I'm saying the ride is cushy... Yeah, I'm really happy with my new springs and coils. lol

View attachment 165475
Not too happy about my skid plate though.

If those are all stock springs, could you do me a favor and measure from the center of your rear wheel hub to the bottom of the fender?

Mine is 20.5” on worn out springs and blown shocks. Wondering how much new leafs will net me.

 

[AbandonedBronco]

Finally got around to measuring them.
Mine are 20.5" front and rear.
That's without any lift.

 

[Flesh Eater]

Finally got around to measuring them.
Mine are 20.5" front and rear.
That's without any lift.

Where did you order your springs from?

Do you happen to remember the weight rating?

Thanks!

Also, nice work on those axles/regear!

 

[AbandonedBronco]

These are the springs I ordered:

General Spring | Rear Leaf Springs 1980-1996 Ford Bronco

General Spring provides rear leaf springs with 1650 lb spring capacity for the 1980-1996 Ford Bronco. Call or order online today and find the best deals!

www.generalspringkc.com

There was a 1390lb set (42-811) and a 1650lb set (42-813). From what I could find, the 42-813s were the stock rating, so I went with those. They don't feel stiff at all, and make for a very nice ride.

And thanks! The gears and axles were a really fun job. Very rewarding to go out and hit some trails, as well as drive it every day and have the diffs nice and quiet. First time regearing, so it's been really rewarding.

My only concern is that I got the front Dana 44 bearings too tight (it was a bear to get the diff into the housing without a spreader) but it took the same amount of preload to spin the front yoke as it did the rear 9", so I think it'll be okay. Plus, the front only spins about 50 miles a year, as opposed to the rear diff spinning all the time.

 

[Flesh Eater]

These are the springs I ordered:

General Spring | Rear Leaf Springs 1980-1996 Ford Bronco

General Spring provides rear leaf springs with 1650 lb spring capacity for the 1980-1996 Ford Bronco. Call or order online today and find the best deals!

www.generalspringkc.com

There was a 1390lb set (42-811) and a 1650lb set (42-813). From what I could find, the 42-813s were the stock rating, so I went with those. They don't feel stiff at all, and make for a very nice ride.

And thanks! The gears and axles were a really fun job. Very rewarding to go out and hit some trails, as well as drive it every day and have the diffs nice and quiet. First time regearing, so it's been really rewarding.

My only concern is that I got the front Dana 44 bearings too tight (it was a bear to get the diff into the housing without a spreader) but it took the same amount of preload to spin the front yoke as it did the rear 9", so I think it'll be okay. Plus, the front only spins about 50 miles a year, as opposed to the rear diff spinning all the time.

I was looking at the springs on Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, and they list two different weights, and claim the 1,650lbs. spring raises the vehicle 2"-3".

Yes, running larger tires off road on 3.55 gears is okay, but 4.11's are probably SWEET. There's a lot to go into learning how to re-gear so that was probably awesome having it all turn out so well!

Agreed. If it that front axle was engaged full time, I'd probably be concerned, but I doubt you'll have any issues with it. It's definitely nice finding your thread, since you kept it stock height.

 

[1989and1983bronco]

Wow! What an awesome build thread. I've been on the forum a while but just got back on and started scrolling. Very impressive build. You've got me wanting to get mine back into tip top daily driver condition. Do you happen to remember where the eec was located for the v8? After seeing your kick panel vents I really want to find a set but I think my eec (1990) is behind my kick panel.