Can someone school me on affects on handling for Lifts

[Fordified1]

Dumb question, would slightly lowering the front allow for less/more caster without buying new UCAs? So more negative caster gives you less twitchy feeling on steering? Or do I have that value mixed up.

More caster requires slightly more steering input to make it turn because caster inherently makes it track straight with zero input. I had mine set at 4* and that was all the adjustment we had. My son did the alignment.

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[Snacktime]

Broncos naturally wear the outside edge of the tire more. Most shops are using a subscription based alignment machine that takes the guess work out. My local cheap tire guy said it was the best money he spent as he gets very few tire wear issues unless something fails in the suspension.

I run 1" of rake with a full tank of gas which usually disappears with 2 Wolfhounds in the back.

Control arms will gain you .5-1 degree of caster and little more negative camber. This nets a very slight improvement in driving characteristics. It will never drive as nice as stock height. Some arms move the tire cycle to far back and cause rubbing when compressed but drive nicer on the highway.

Let it settle into the new springs and then make an adjustment. The alignment is probably off due to the new springs settling which should be corrected after the adjustment. You are experiencing why I don't recommend spring swaps, you usually have to touch the suspension twice. Some times even a 3rd time down the road after the springs sag after breaking in under load.

 

[bassist]

Most people do so it will set level. A “leveling kit” only lifts the front about an inch.

I know that…but frankly it’s not a good idea unless you never carry anything in your cargo area, and “level” will change based upon where your passengers are sitting and your cargo is stowed.

 

[Fordified1]

I know that…but frankly it’s not a good idea unless you never carry anything in your cargo area, and “level” will change based upon where your passengers are sitting and your cargo is stowed.

You’re over thinking it. I prefer my trucks level. Up or down an inch on either end, if the front end was aligned properly at the level you set at most of the time, is not gonna make any noticeable difference. If your passengers make much difference in your ride height on either end then they need to lose some weight lol. I tow 9,000# with an Excursion and it’s level and has airbags to level it when I tow. When I tow with the bronco, which is rare, it’s squats but drives fine.
There are millions of trucks on the road with leveling kits to make them sit level and the only ill effect is their headlights blind me because they never get them adjusted properly. Lol.

 

[Hemisfear]

Cuss before it looked like this. I think my stock shocks were blown.

My 2 door looks like that when I have no gear inside, with gear, no rake, why did you decide on lifting raising suspension will almost always create poorer performance, your steering angle does look a bit high, definitely have reduced your down travel?

 

[bassist]

You’re over thinking it. I prefer my trucks level. Up or down an inch on either end, if the front end was aligned properly at the level you set at most of the time, is not gonna make any noticeable difference. If your passengers make much difference in your ride height on either end then they need to lose some weight lol. I tow 9,000# with an Excursion and it’s level and has airbags to level it when I tow. When I tow with the bronco, which is rare, it’s squats but drives fine.
There are millions of trucks on the road with leveling kits to make them sit level and the only ill effect is their headlights blind me because they never get them adjusted properly. Lol.

I prefer to maximize my departure angle, which will change with a leveling kit - and not for the better.

Seems a waste of time, effort and money for something practically imperceptible - and even then only when stationary - with minimal improvement off-road.

 

[telenerd]

More caster requires slightly more steering input to make it turn because caster inherently makes it track straight with zero input. I had mine set at 4* and that was all the adjustment we had. My son did the alignment.

Howdy,

Would you mind sending me your alignment chart or post your numbers on this thread? I plan on taking it to my shop on Friday.
Thanks!

 

[Fordified1]

Howdy,

Would you mind sending me your alignment chart or post your numbers on this thread? I plan on taking it to my shop on Friday.
Thanks!

 

[telenerd]

Thanks buddy. Interesting your specs are slightly different from the Specs on my sheet for base starting point. My Badlands must be slightly different on alignment max for caster. I will have them check they inputted the right model into the alignment machine and bring the specs closer to your caster and camber and toe. Since more caster will give me more lazy steering and not so darty feeling.

 

[Fordified1]

Howdy,

Would you mind sending me your alignment chart or post your numbers on this thread? I plan on taking it to my shop on Friday.
Thanks!

They may or may not be able to get you 4* of caster with your stock control arms. The adjusters on mine are maxed out.

 

[JL8jeff]

I would drive it for a bit to give it a chance to settle before taking it apart to make changes. My front was sitting up pretty level when I installed the ProComps and now it has some rake to it again. I think the front has dropped at least 1/2" but I need to get it on level ground to check it again. My truck is sitting just under 24-3/4" from hub center to flare (closer to 25 on the passenger rear) but it's not level at the moment. Your 25" will come down in the front. I still recommend the rear trackbar relocation bracket and then see if the front has settled and do an alignment again.

 

[telenerd]

Well I drove my Bronco a few hundred miles. Suspension did settle some.

Still couldn’t get over the steering feel and nose high on position 6 in the front. Shop ended up lowering the front one click. Now I am position 5 on all 4 sides with about 1/2 inch rake. Feels great now. Doesn’t feel nose high, steering input doesn’t feel floaty and darty and the shocks eat up bumps much better than the old the shocks.

One thing to note I am at the threshold for needing new upper control arms if I want my caster at a perfect score and camber near 0, not possible currently. Something I can get down the road. Learned a lot in the process. With all the clip adjustments it’s hard to predict what sitting you need , I should of went equal settings on all 4 corners.

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