2025 Suspension Recommendations (by Snacktime)

[Snacktime]

This is the current recommendation on how to choose your lift. I no longer recommend spacer lifts, this is due to possible cv axle damage and added wear to front differential seals. I am also not recommending lift springs since they don't always net the same lift and that you need more shock to control them. I have become much less concerned with suspension travel as we find the limits of stock parts. This is based on running stock parts like factory cv-axles which is the biggest limiting factor to lifts.

0-2" Lift on 35s from Malls to Mild Trails -Your not going to disrupt the driving characteristics or effect long term reliability

• Perch collars, stiffens the ride and okay if low mileage.
• 5100s Bilsteins are the cheapest recommendable shock replacement, they have better dampening with increased road feedback. Best option for NON-SAS Broncos.
• 6100s Bilsteins are an upgrade over 5100, they are better suited to bigger tires only work on SAS broncos. Best option for SAS Broncos.
• Eibach Stage 2.0 Pro Truck with normal springs, "subjective" but most likely the best ride, they are designed for less road feedback. Best option for a 35" and smaller tire and if you are fairly stock. Have easy adjustment to get that perfect lift.

0-2" Lift on 35s Mild Trails to you have added some weight-Your are going to disrupt the driving characteristics!

• Perch collars, stiffens the ride and okay if low mileage.
• 5100s Bilsteins provide known lift and can counter the weight of extra items. Best option for NON-SAS Broncos.
• 6100s Bilsteins provide known lift and can counter the weight of extra items. Best option for SAS Broncos.

2-4" of lift beacuse you need the ground clearance or lots of weight, going to have adverse driving characteristics and lots of wear and tear. You will want a differential drop if over 3" of lift. Upper control arms should be added after 3" of lift.

• Body lift 1.5" or 2" or 3" stacked with a lower lift.
• 2.5" Shocks
  • 6100s Bilsteins but they are really running out of lift.
  • 6112 Bilsteins for the NON-SAS broncos.
  • Icon EXP Shocks which go up to 3"
• Real 2.5" coilovers
  • Kings
  • Fox
  • Icon
  • Insert name here

Going to 37" Tires, you are now adding wear and tear to the vehicle and effecting long term reliability

• Clearance to prevent hitting the top of the fender
  • Shock specifically designed for 37s.
  • Body lift, you need to add at least 1/2" to 3/4". Less long term wear.
  • 1" leveling kit to space down the front coilover. More long term wear and not recommend for M190 differential Broncos. You will want a front differential drop.
  • Shock shaft spacer provided by the shock manufacturer.
• Some form of lift
  • Perch collars you have to much tire for the stock shocks.
  • Eibach Stage 2.0 Bilsteins are stiffer and handle the heavy tire better.
  • 5100s Bilsteins starting to be the limit of what a 2" shock can dampen.
  • 6100s Bilsteins best solution as they are big enough to control the tire.
  • 2.5" Shocks
  • 2.5" Coilovers

5+" Bracket lifts are not currently recommend for any reason. This is opening a can of worms that leads to stress.

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[userdude]

What're your thoughts on the 4WP/ProComp's on a 2dr 2" or lower? (I've heard it's possible.) Would you think those would line up well with heavier (M/T) 35's? It feels like those and the 6100's are in the same upgrade class, more or less. I guess the 6100's have a better potential warranty.

 

[EasternSierra]

Thanks, Snacktime. I appreciate the summary and I'm sure many others will too.

I'm a little bit confused about differential drops. This isn't the first time I've seen mention of doing one if you have more than a certain amount of lift. My question is, is that the same for all trims, or should the Badlands trim get a diff drop with less than 3" of lift? The Badlands rides higher from the factory but also has more suspension travel.

 

[Tavjon]

Making me feel real good about my 6112s homie lol

 

[userdude]

Thanks, Snacktime. I appreciate the summary and I'm sure many others will too.

I'm a little bit confused about differential drops. This isn't the first time I've seen mention of doing one if you have more than a certain amount of lift. My question is, is that the same for all trims, or should the Badlands trim get a diff drop with less than 3" of lift? The Badlands rides higher from the factory but also has more suspension travel.

My understanding of a diff drop is that it corrects severe angles in your CVs and axle. Drop the diff with a lot of lift (3-4" according to this) to recover some of that angle, basically so your CVs aren't at their max angle with the diff.

 

[Snacktime]

What're your thoughts on the 4WP/ProComp's on a 2dr 2" or lower? (I've heard it's possible.) Would you think those would line up well with heavier (M/T) 35's? It feels like those and the 6100's are in the same upgrade class, more or less. I guess the 6100's have a better potential warranty.

4wp are a solid non-adjustable coil over. They do not like being adjusted to low in the rear as the coil spring begins to float and rub the shock. I would take 4wp if running bigger tires and more weight. They are really well tuned out of the box and got better as I added more weight(steel bumpers and winch). The linear springs have been really good for leveling after adding weight.

The 6100 actually are a completely different product as the bilsteins should last 2-3 times longer and will not provide as much dampening as they run softer stock springs. I would put money on the 6100 riding better with 35s. The 6100 on other platforms are typical paired with 33 to 35 tires. The value is in the longer life over real coilovers.

Thanks, Snacktime. I appreciate the summary and I'm sure many others will too.

I'm a little bit confused about differential drops. This isn't the first time I've seen mention of doing one if you have more than a certain amount of lift. My question is, is that the same for all trims, or should the Badlands trim get a diff drop with less than 3" of lift? The Badlands rides higher from the factory but also has more suspension travel.

Your talking about very little difference in lift between SAS and NON-SAS Badlands. The differential drop just helps reduce the angles and wear on the cvs. I would not worry about a differential drop unless you are running lots of lift or done something to allow more front down travel. Understand that almost every bronco is riding at a different heights so its will always be controversial if its needed. I hope to be able to get a better answer down the line as we really need multiple differential drop options.

 

[userdude]

4wp are a solid non-adjustable coil over. They do not like being adjusted to low in the rear as the coil spring begins to float and rub the shock. I would take 4wp if running bigger tires and more weight. They are really well tuned out of the box and got better as I added more weight(steel bumpers and winch). The linear springs have been really good for leveling after adding weight.

The 6100 actually are a completely different product as the bilsteins should last 2-3 times longer and will not provide as much dampening as they run softer stock springs. I would put money on the 6100 riding better with 35s. The 6100 on other platforms are typical paired with 33 to 35 tires. The value is in the longer life over real coilovers.

I forgot they're not adjustable.

With my current setup (full SFR plates/sliders/bumpers, 73lbs M/T's), I'm about 180lbs over stock (BL Sas) in the 2dr, plus about 20-30lbs of crap when I go out. The problem I'm having with the stock Bilsteins is bottoming out in the back; if I'm sliding down a ledge, I'm banging in the back a lot more than before I upgraded the plates/bumper/sliders. So it feels like I should upgrade springs and/or shocks. I don't plan on going a lot heavier, either. Is that something the 6100's would help with? Or is that more of a spring issue.

 

[Beach_Bum]

What're your thoughts on the 4WP/ProComp's on a 2dr 2" or lower? (I've heard it's possible.)
...

Reminder for you not to consider them.

 

[B22-2023]

Thanks @Snacktime and this is perfect timing. I’m just about to buy after all my research, fitting function to budget after looking at my rig and talking to vendors/local shops. I’m 2-4" of lift because you need the ground clearance AND lots of weight. (I’m 6060 lbs. curb weight on a HOSS 3.0 WT/BFG “35”s). I off-road in rocks and dirt and sand including Moab but no true crawling, and drive the rig every day. I’ll never “race“ it to the point I’ll experience meaningful shock fade (my take on reservoirs).
Questions:
1- why don’t Eibach 2.0 Pro make the cut, not durable enough for long term weight like this, start to sag? I’ve heard that once or twice.
2-hot button maybe re mixing shocks, but if Eibachs don’t cut it, I’ll cheap out and go say Fox 2.5 in the rear where most of my weight/sag issue is, and keep my Fox 2.0 in front as-is (1 inch level plus 1.5 inch perch).

THANKS AGAIN for all your info here and other postings.

 

[Brian_B]

What body lift options are out there besides BroncBuster? I've only really come across that option, and they start at like 1"

Or is it just get in there and stack fender washers under the rubber bumpers?

 

[Snacktime]

Thanks @Snacktime and this is perfect timing. I’m just about to buy after all my research, fitting function to budget after looking at my rig and talking to vendors/local shops. I’m 2-4" of lift because you need the ground clearance AND lots of weight. (I’m 6060 lbs. curb weight on a HOSS 3.0 WT/BFG “35”s). I off-road in rocks and dirt and sand including Moab but no true crawling, and drive the rig every day. I’ll never “race“ it to the point I’ll experience meaningful shock fade (my take on reservoirs).
Questions:
1- why don’t Eibach 2.0 Pro make the cut, not durable enough for long term weight like this, start to sag? I’ve heard that once or twice.
2-hot button maybe re mixing shocks, but if Eibachs don’t cut it, I’ll cheap out and go say Fox 2.5 in the rear where most of my weight/sag issue is, and keep my Fox 2.0 in front as-is (1 inch level plus 1.5 inch perch).

THANKS AGAIN for all your info here and other postings.

Eibach starts to lose out when you get to bigger tires and weight. @userdude is telling you exactly why once you hit a lot weight it takes more to take the bounce out. Eibach are amazing when you are near stock weight and running a lighter tire.

Don't mix shocks, every shock is valved different and this makes for poor harmonics.

Moab is super amazing wheeling! I found lower lift to be extremely beneficial on trails especially off camber situations. I would keep the stock Fox shocks and add perch collars. If you want another 1" I would stack a leveling kit on top. You have some of the best riding suspension you can get, don't get sold on better. You are not going to get better until you spend money on custom shocks that are stiffer, nothing off the shelf is going to beat them.

 

[Snacktime]

What body lift options are out there besides BroncBuster? I've only really come across that option, and they start at like 1"

Or is it just get in there and stack fender washers under the rubber bumpers?

https://www.mikellisbodylifts.com/b...w22FZcaIW73BI1JgrgmEniGPULNMecV1CMlN9A1ZJZlqU

I am looking hard at adding more body lift to get my rocker panels higher vs the frame.

 

[PowerBronco]

What's your take on the 8112's? (besides being ridiculously expensive)

 

[Ninjak]

Fabtech Dirt Logics /w 2.5's are a good setup. Good on the streets and great off-road. 3~4 inch lift depending if you were SAS

 

[Felix808]

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