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Early Broncos have an exceptional suspension from the factory. They were the First 4x4 to come with factory front Coil springs, and articulate well without any modifications, but the best part about the design is the ease to improve upon it.
When Ford made the early bronco they used Radius arms to hold the axle from moving front to back. The used a Track bar to hold the axle from moving side to side. This way the Axle can only move up and down. The advantages of this design is that when one side goes up, and the other side goes down, the radius arms Bind, and cause a natural Anti-Sway effect. This makes even lifted broncos surprisingly drivable on the street. Unfortunately this also prevents maximum articulation. All of this can be solved with a wristed arm.
What is a wristed Arm? First I am going to try to explain, as well as I can, what happens to the suspension when twisting. Imagine that you are holding a baseball bat with your hands. Do not bend your elbows or wrists and hold it out directly in front of you. The bat represents the axle, and your two arms represent the 2 radius arms. Looking at your profile (from the side) imagine a horizontal line on the end of the bat. Now lift the bat higher, and notice that the horizontal line is now inclined (or declined, depending on your perspective). Now drop the bat lower, and see how the line is opposite of what it was before. This is how the suspension is designed to work, and it works well. Now for the problem, lift one arm up, and the other down. DON'T let your wrists bend. You can feel that there is twisting, because when one side is high, it wants the line to be inclined, and the other side that is low wants it to be declined. The best way to fix this (without going to a 4 link suspension) is to put a hinge in one of the arms and make is "Wristed". Now if you let one of your wrists bend you can see that there is no tension when you try to lift one side up and the other down.
Acquiring a wristed arm. The wristed arm Idea has been around for a while. It was originally concepted by Donovan Horton about 4 years ago. Many people have made their own arms based on Donovans concept, and at least 2 different people have these arms for sale. Coby had designed a custom all new arm, and Boyd Johnson modifies an existing arm. Both work well. Check out the links below.
Longer Shocks. Now that your bronco can flex well, you need to put longer shock in it so they don't limit the axle drop. It may seem pretty simple, but shocks that are longer compressed need to be longer uncompressed, so you have to move your top shock mount up. You really don't need to move it *That* far, as I have calculated, if you move the mount up 4 inches, you can fit Rancho's longest shock. There are numerous ways to do this also, the cheapest by far is to buy the shock mounts out of a early 90's ford F250. They are only about 11 dollars a piece and will give you an extra 2 inches or so. You can also buy hoops from Bronco shops, but they are spendy, and still won't allow you to use shocks of maximum travel. Most designs will require you to add some body lift to fit higher mounts.
Dual Shocks. Many people think they want dual shocks, but there are few advantages to them. They do look cool, and they will provide a little more dampening, but still not as much as a rancho 9000. They are important in high speed situations because they dissipated heat better and won't fade as fast, but unless your a baja racer, you would be better off spending your money elsewhere. Also, shocks also can bind, and dual shocks will only excentrate this problem.
Shock binding. Once you get your axle twisting hard, you shocks will start to bind some. This really should be addressed because not only does it decrease your available travel, but it also can damage your shocks. when your axle is at a significant angle, the shock mount is still trying to make the shock go up at a 90 degree angle to the axle. Fortunately you can put a wristed shock mount on and solve that problem. Look below for examples.
Alternatives to the Wristed Arm. If you like the advantages of
a wristed arm, but feel that it isn't enough, never fear, you have even
more options. Redesigning the front suspension to a 4 link design has MANY
advantages. Most importantly, it won't bind anywhere in it's travel range-
That means you will have the most possible weight on the tire on a twisty
trail, so you will get more traction. A 4 link also allows for correct
pinion angles through the entire range of travel. The only real downfall
to the 4 link is the added complexity in design, building and installation.
You can bold in a wristed arm (6 bolts total) in no time and be on your
way, but you will have to custom design your 4 link and have it made specifically
for you. If you want the Best front suspension, check out the links below
and learn more about converting to a 4 link.
Wristed Arms-
Cobys
Twister Page
-Great pics of custom arms (for sale), broncos on
ramps, and some good explanations.
-Coby's arm is a Totally New arm that Looks Great,
and I am sure works even better!
Boyds Good Stuff
-Great pics of is Bronco on a ramp before and after
the arm, also good pics of his wristed arm (also for sale)
-Boyd Johnsons Arm is a Modified Stock arm, and
requires a Core.
LoneStar
EBC tech site
-Shows how to build your own Wristed arm
4 Link Front Suspension
Jim Howells
4 link page
-Shows how he built his 4 link from beginning to
end, with lots of pics.
Wristed Shock Mounts-
Hookers Shock Mount Design
(Under Members, 'The Hookers Bronco', Pics)
-Shows how to make a flexible shock mount on the
arm.
Shock
Swivel pics
-A great design of simple add on swivels.
Cobys Shocks
page
-Coby has pics of Shock damage, and a great design
for eliminating bind using dual shocks.
Front Shock Mounts-
Lee Bronco Specs
-Has pictures of lee's homemade front shock mounts
Nates Bronco Page
(Under Suspension, Front Hoops)
-Has Pics of WH Shock hoops installed.
Rear Shock Mounts-
Lee Bronco Specs
-Has pictures of lee's homemade rear shock mounts
ProtoFab
-Has 3 pictures of both rear shock hoops, between
frame rails between shock mounts.
Killer Bumpers-
Iron Horse
-The best Front bumpers I have found Yet!
Body Lifts-
Nates Bronco Page
(Under Body lift)
-Has complete description of installing a 2" body
lift
Bronco.Com
tech section
-Explains the different lifts, and the details for
a body lift
Arizona Bronco
Club Newsletter
-A great detailed description of replacing body
mounts.
Back to the Bronco Page