650lb added weight sagging rear-end

[Tyson]

I have a 4-Door Bronco badlands with Icon Stage 7 with heavy rear spring lift on 37s. I have the rig pretty level with no added weight roughly 7” from tire to fender in front and 7 1/4” from tire to fender in rear. When I put on my RTT and all other camping gear (650lb extra) I have 6 3/4” in front and 6 1/4 in rear. I was looking for a way to get the truck back to 7 1/4” in rear when loaded and thought I could use a spacer lift. My shocks are adjustable by 2” and are currently maxed in rear. So I was thinking I could put a 1.5” spacer from Broncbuster in rear…and adjust my shocks down 1/2” when loaded and 1.5” when dry. Thoughts? This shouldn’t affect anything in theory yes? Not a suspension expert - I tried asking 4WP but the kid I got there didn’t know.

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[B22-2023]

Coincidence- I’m the same loaded weight now and trying to decide what rear collar lift will help in the future. I’ll post after I measure and drive this 2000 miles, and will weight test it on the road.

 

[MillerAndCheeto]

I have a 4-Door Bronco badlands with Icon Stage 7 with heavy rear spring lift on 37s. I have the rig pretty level with no added weight roughly 7” from tire to fender in front and 7 1/4” from tire to fender in rear. When I put on my RTT and all other camping gear (650lb extra) I have 6 3/4” in front and 6 1/4 in rear. I was looking for a way to get the truck back to 7 1/4” in rear when loaded and thought I could use a spacer lift. My shocks are adjustable by 2” and are currently maxed in rear. So I was thinking I could put a 1.5” spacer from Broncbuster in rear…and adjust my shocks down 1/2” when loaded and 1.5” when dry. Thoughts? This shouldn’t affect anything in theory yes? Not a suspension expert - I tried asking 4WP but the kid I got there didn’t know.

Rear spacer lift is perfectly fine.

 

[CitrusBronco]

Since you created this problem by leveling it, why not lower the front so the correct empty load rake returns?
I understand you have heavy springs in the rear and you’re maxed out on height in adjustment.
If you add spacers to the rear you will have rake again but also gain the negative consequence of loosing travel in the rear and ride quality suffering more.
Take some height out of the front, that should solve the issue and maintain best ride quality.
Or am I thinking of this all wrong?

 

[Razorbak86]

 

[B22-2023]

I’ve got a real problem. Next investment is maybe a helper system for loaded up trips. Haven’t weighed in yet but 8 inches over front wheels and 4 in the back.

Still drives great, just did 8 hours on the road but this is not ideal.

 

[Tyson]

Since you created this problem by leveling it, why not lower the front so the correct empty load rake returns?
I understand you have heavy springs in the rear and you’re maxed out on height in adjustment.
If you add spacers to the rear you will have rake again but also gain the negative consequence of loosing travel in the rear and ride quality suffering more.
Take some height out of the front, that should solve the issue and maintain best ride quality.
Or am I thinking of this all wrong?

I was thinking I should still have the same travel in rear as the shock doesn’t actually change. It should still travel the same distance up and down yes? I did think about dropping the front end by a half inch as well - but was looking to have more clearance than less - but def a possibikity

I’ve got a real problem. Next investment is maybe a helper system for loaded up trips. Haven’t weighed in yet but 8 inches over front wheels and 4 in the back.

Still drives great, just did 8 hours on the road but this is not ideal.

after seeing this I suppose I shouldn’t complain lol

 

[CitrusBronco]

What I think you will loose with the rear top spacer and with your front struts at max height compression is the up travel at each wheel.
At slow speeds it won’t compress as it could and you now loose upward wheel travel which raises center of gravity and makes it more likely to raise other wheels and put you into the tip over zone.

You just can’t compress a captured spring and expect it to keep its full range of travel.
These collar perch adjustable struts are a compromise when used at the max compression range. Maybe the ones you have are intended to be used at max compression without these side effects.

If you’re not using this for trail riding, climbing stuff and it stays on roads, dirt or otherwise then you will never need to worry about the tipping point and ignore my thoughts.

Experts are welcome to chime in if I’m wrong, I like to learn.

Love the Cyber Orange by the way.

 

[TLO]

Weird... Maybe the 4 doors are more affected by this? I probably have 500 or more pounds added to my 2 door Heritage and it definitely squats under the weight but it's pretty level still
I just want a way to get my ride height +1" back again

 

[Brian_B]

I haven't an air adjustable shock for the rear end yet - and this use case is exactly why those exist.

Not to say it doesn't exist - just haven't seen them for the Bronco.

 

[popo_patty]

The problem is that you installed and adjusted your setup for no weight (you ensured everything was level front to back). Then you added 650 lbs. Even the HD springs will sag and because most of the weight is toward the rear you’ll now have that affect.

Proper way would be to keep that factory “rake” look instead of leveling and then once you load up the rear with weight, it will now be level. Adding more height while it could work, isnt the best way to accomplish your goal.

Always setup your vehicles for your planned loads. I kept an approx 3/4” rake on my and after being loaded down with gear I’m almost level with just a touch lower in the front still. I also keep my gear in the Bronco a lot.
Also, what do you have that weighs so much? 650 lbs is on the extreme end of camping gear loads. I have 2 kids and 2 adults and don’t come close to that for 3 days excursions.

 

[popo_patty]

The problem is that you installed and adjusted your setup for no weight (you ensured everything was level front to back). Then you added 650 lbs. Even the HD springs will sag and because most of the weight is toward the rear you’ll now have that affect.

Proper way would be to keep that factory “rake” look instead of leveling and then once you load up the rear with weight, it will now be level. Adding more height while it could work, isnt the best way to accomplish your goal.

Always setup your vehicles for your planned loads. I kept an approx 3/4” rake on my and after being loaded down with gear I’m almost level with just a touch lower in the front still. I also keep my gear in the Bronco a lot.
Also, what do you have that weighs so much? 650 lbs is on the extreme end of camping gear loads. I have 2 kids and 2 adults and don’t come close to that for 3 days excursions.

Im gonna add that Icon historically doesn't provide much details publicly about their setups. For example, on their page for the Heavy Duty rear coil-overs. It doesn't specify what spring rates they use or what weight it's good for over-stock. The fact that you're maxed out on preload and still sagging that much suggests that your springs are also not up for the task. 650 lbs is a LOT of weight and adding on bumpers, humans, etc, you're up there. You should never rely on pre load to make up for lots of weight, a little, sure. But if you're that deeply sunk on the rear, you're springs are also probably not adequate.

 

[userdude]

The problem is that you installed and adjusted your setup for no weight (you ensured everything was level front to back). Then you added 650 lbs. Even the HD springs will sag and because most of the weight is toward the rear you’ll now have that affect.

Proper way would be to keep that factory “rake” look instead of leveling and then once you load up the rear with weight, it will now be level. Adding more height while it could work, isnt the best way to accomplish your goal.

Always setup your vehicles for your planned loads. I kept an approx 3/4” rake on my and after being loaded down with gear I’m almost level with just a touch lower in the front still. I also keep my gear in the Bronco a lot.
Also, what do you have that weighs so much? 650 lbs is on the extreme end of camping gear loads. I have 2 kids and 2 adults and don’t come close to that for 3 days excursions.

Hey man, glamping don't come cheap.

 

[B22-2023]

I haven't an air adjustable shock for the rear end yet - and this use case is exactly why those exist.

Not to say it doesn't exist - just haven't seen them for the Bronco.

Some cheap ways out that worked in the old days, but none fit the Sasquatch:

https://www.etrailer.com/susp-2023_Ford_Bronco.htm?Redirect=NoVisibleProducts

What about using Eibach 2.0 coilovers for the rear - I have been happy with just my perch collar lift but wonder if those adjustable have enough scope to make up for this weight.

 

[87-Z28]

The problem is that you installed and adjusted your setup for no weight (you ensured everything was level front to back). Then you added 650 lbs. Even the HD springs will sag and because most of the weight is toward the rear you’ll now have that affect.

This.

I just don’t understand the desire to level when empty. A 1” rake is perfect for the 4 door.

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