Early Bronco Ultimate 3.5″ w/ Towers

The Ultimate with Towers system Proudly features the following James Duff parts:

• James Duff Progressive Coil Springs
• Deaver Progressive Leaf Springs
• Optional Hassle-Free Heavy Duty Adjustable Trac Bar - 5417
• Optional Front Dual Sport Quick Disconnect and Standard Rear Hellwig Swaybars 5314/5313
• Standard Dual Sport Heavy Duty Coil Retainers 5121
• Option to upgrade to MS2020 Shocks by Eibach

Features:

• Made in the USA
• Optional T-Rex Radius Arms
• Choose from Duff 70/30's or MS2020's
• Several Upgrade options are available

FAQ:

Q: What is the largest tire I can run using this lift?
A: A common question we get all the time! Anywhere from a 31″ to a 37″ but there are several factors that play here. Are your fenders cut? What backspacing do your wheels have? How much body lift do you have? For the classic look, we suggest a U.S. Mag’s Slotted Mag wheel in 15×8″ in a 35×12.50″ with Bronco Design fiberglass flares. If you are running uncut, a 35″ tire will not fit. Try a 33″ instead and you’ll want to make sure that you have ample clearance which may require a skinny tire and rim and possibly moving the axle back about an inch.

Q: Will 8 shocks make my Bronco ride rough?
A: The only time we have seen 8 of our classic 70/30 shocks create a rough ride on a Bronco is when the Bronco had very few accessories on it or was a stock roadster(U13) or a half cab(U14). Even then it was not across the board rough for every Bronco since several other factors create a rough ride like over-inflated tires, stock or worn-out seats, poorly installed suspension, other companies suspension combined with Duff shocks and sometimes it just comes down to personal preference. The biggest misconception in the industry is that all off-the-shelf twin and monotube off-road shocks have the same 50/50 valving. At James Duff that couldn't be farther from the truth! We developed a shock over 30 years ago that lets our springs do their job and spends more time controlling the rebound. This is a large reason why you can run 8 Duff classic 70/30 shocks on your Bronco and experience a smooth ride. 8 shocks also help control body roll. Especially when lifting your Bronco over 3 inches. 

Q: Can I add long arms instead of the T-Rex arms?
A: Great question. No, you can’t, this requires moving from our Ultimate to our Monster Long Travel system. This will require different shocks, taller bump stops, longer brake lines, and a few other long-travel goodies. Click here or here for more info.

Q: Are there any other upgrades I should consider?
A: Yes, this system does not include any steering modifications other than a drop pitman arm. So you should consider our Heim steer or Bump Steer Eliminator system to have a sound and strong steering system & negate any bump steer issues. The ultimate does not include a leaf spring anti-wrap device. Any time you lift your Bronco and put bigger tires on you should consider installing one. Even more so if you have 300+ horsepower, big tires(35" or bigger), and deep gearing. If you want to add the best on and off-road anti axle wrap device, check out our wildly popular Torque Tamer and the brand new bolt-on axle bracket that makes the install 100% bolt-on.

If you are running the T-Rex arms with this system we highly recommend replacing the frame to axle line with our stainless braided version. This will allow you to articulate the Bronco without the risk of overstretching/breaking the stock lines.

Q: Why can’t I select this for a 1966 Early Bronco?
A: For the first year of production Ford used a Stud eye shock in the rear in early production models only. The Ultimate Base and Plus systems require an eye/eye style shock at the rear axle to work properly. These Ultimate systems do not come with an additional set of our classic shock mounts to convert to an eye/eye shock in the rear. This is because very few Broncos require them. To purchase this system and buy an additional set of mounts, you will need to select the 1967-75 option in the drop-downs at the top of this page and purchase an additional set of mounts here. If you’re not sure if you need the additional mounts, check the pictures here where we showcase the difference.

Q: Will this system give my Bronco enough caster?
A: Great question! First off, what is caster and why is it important? Caster is what makes your front axle track straight while driving. Without the right degree of caster, you are constantly correcting the steering wheel and have little to no confidence in your ability to control and enjoy your Bronco. Now, with that being said, the answer is, every Bronco is different. Some Bronco's need more caster than others. For years we have sold a 3.5" lift to many customers with stock radius arms and 7 degree C bushings with no issues. For the few who didn't have enough caster, we designed the James Duff adjustable radius arm drop brackets. We have found that a Bronco with 2.5-5.5" of lift does really well with 3+ degrees of caster. You can achieve 4 or even 5 degrees of caster by combining T-rex arms with 7-degree C bushings and caster/camber bushings. Few will also need to combine with radius arm drop brackets with T-Rex arms but just remember, the more caster you add to the front and the more length and angle you put into your front driveshaft will likely require a new extreme angle, long-travel front driveshaft. This is another great product we offer as well here.

NOTE: C-Caps, Heavy Duty Spring Plates, and/or Leaf Spring Shackle hardware are not included in this system please use the drop-downs if you'd like to add them.

Many great options are available here to build your Bronco with the best suspension, steering, brakes, exhaust, and bumpers offered on the market. Check out more of our incredible products below and what our customers are saying about them.

How to Buy:

Using the first 4 drop-downs above will create your very own Ultimate James Duff suspensions system. Note: ’66 year model is not available. Please see the FAQ at the bottom for more information on how to purchase the Ultimate System for your 66. When you get to the option to choose Ultimate Base or Ultimate Plus T-Rex Arms, read below to dive deeper into what the difference is between the two.

Ultimate Base for Stock Radius Arms:

The Ultimate Base system will lift your Bronco to a great stance and give you the ability to run a 33-35″ tire, have good road manners, and work well on light to medium trails. It includes the parts listed above in the bullet points. To mount the 8 – James Duff classic 70/30 Shocks, a dual shock mount hardware kit for the towers is provided along with a set of rear classic shock mounts. The rear upper and lower shock mounts along with the drop track bar bracket require welding to be installed. If you want to update your 50+ year old radius arms and run a single shock setup, read below about the Ultimate Plus system.

Ultimate Plus T-Rex Arms:

This upgrades your 70/30 classic shocks to our new modern MS2020 shocks and replaces your stock radius arms with our proven T-Rex arms. You’ll gain more turning radius and better handling with the improved caster. PLUS... the ride and control the new MS2020 shocks offer are an absolute game changer! Read more about the advantages of our T-Rex arms here and our MS2020 shocks in the video below. By choosing the Ultimate Plus package you’ll gain a savings of $325 dollars for a blue system vs. adding them a la carte.

Before you choose your leaf springs, you need to understand the difference between Medium duty and Heavy duty. Please read our FAQ here before making your selection.

Finally, you’ll want to choose your add-ons. These are proven accessories that will enhance the performance of your Bronco and allow even more confidence and replace 50+ year-old parts and hardware. We strongly recommend replacing your factory-length driveshafts. When lifting your Early Bronco over 3″, you risk overextending them and leaving yourself stranded. Keep in mind, if you intend on selecting all the add-on accessories we offer, you will want to consider our Hi Ho Silvers Performance Package. This will require different shocks, taller bump stops, longer brake lines, and a few other long-travel goodies.