Personal Impasse with my Lift Kit

[Jeanne]

Hey all, relatively new to the forum. I am at an impasse right now with my bronco sport. I have installed a 1.5" RC Lift kit on it, my Ride height looks great. Although, kind of seems like I have had only problems since then. I know that part of it, is the lift kit I have chosen. (I have had to tighten each tie rod once, although I know I will have to do it again, and that I should just get Loctite and deal with it.)

Although after installing AT 235/65/R18 tires on there, my mileage has significantly tanked. A/T tires certainly can do that, but I am sure the lit does not help. That and knowing that Lift kits can mess with the suspension over time, I am heavily contemplating removing my lift. I wanted to turn to the forum with opinions.

I just went from the factory tires to Falken Wildpeak A/T for 18" wheels and my mileage decreased from 29.9 to 29.2 - which isn't dramatic but your tires are bigger so probably is at least part of the deal.

 

[Mwittke5857]

Hey all, relatively new to the forum. I am at an impasse right now with my bronco sport. I have installed a 1.5" RC Lift kit on it, my Ride height looks great. Although, kind of seems like I have had only problems since then. I know that part of it, is the lift kit I have chosen. (I have had to tighten each tie rod once, although I know I will have to do it again, and that I should just get Loctite and deal with it.)

Although after installing AT 235/65/R18 tires on there, my mileage has significantly tanked. A/T tires certainly can do that, but I am sure the lit does not help. That and knowing that Lift kits can mess with the suspension over time, I am heavily contemplating removing my lift. I wanted to turn to the forum with opinions.

I ditched the Conti street tires for BF Goodrich Trail Terrains (235/65/17) a week after I bought it. Typical winters (when I got mine)in western NY almost necessitate a decent snow tire. I can't say my milage suffered all that much. My BB usually gets 28 city/35 highway. Then again, I've installed a Flowmaster Flow FX muffler, an afe intake and a Peddle Max.

I hear both boos & raves about lift kits, depends on who your talking to and who installed it (I'm leaning towards HRGs 2.5" kit). On any component I don't want falling off, I Loc-tite (blue) as a matter of course.

 

[Dannyp56]

I should have insisted on a Badlands when i traded my 2015 RAM 2500 Cummins long bed 4x4, instead of the OB.

 

[trentmj25]

You sure it’s the tie rod loosening? That shouldn’t have been messed with. I’ve heard others having the end links for the sway bar coming loose.

Shoot, yeah correction on my end. I meant to say sway bar. I think I said tie rod, because that was something I looked at in the past as well.

 

[trentmj25]

I should have insisted on a Badlands when i traded my 2015 RAM 2500 Cummins long bed 4x4, instead of the OB.

I came from a ram as well, I agree with you. I had done a private sale of mine, so the turnaround time had me pressured. I definitely should've gotten a badlands.

 

[trentmj25]

I'm not so sure. Many here have reported a significant fuel economy reduction with the installation of a roof-mounted cargo basket. Any increase in height incurs a commensurate increase in frontal area. More frontal area means more drag. If you drive a lot of highway miles, and I suspect that's the case with OP given he lives in Montana, then any increase in drag will have an even larger impact on fuel economy.

Strangely enough, I saw little change to mileage when the roof rack was added. When I first got the bronco, first thing I added was the lift. Little to no change was seen. Then the tires were added, Mileage dropped heavily. Later came the roof rack, and once again little to no change. I know that the tires definitely don't help. Although now I wonder if there will be a difference when the lift is removed. I guess I am being hopeful that the combo of both is my culprit.

 

[trentmj25]

I would agree that the roof rack and box is probable the biggest culprit, with the tires next followed by the lift.

interestingly enough, I saw that tank in mileage before I ever installed the rack and box.

 

[Mark S.]

I guess I am being hopeful that the combo of both is my culprit.

Keep us posted. I'm willing to bet the lift and basket have more impact than you think.

 

[trentmj25]

Keep us posted. I'm willing to bet the lift and basket have more impact than you think.

I think it will be best to return the suspension to stock anyhow. The tires already give a substantial change to ride height as is.

 

[GEOGRL]

I have a Badlands with 235/65R17 Falken Wildpark AT3Ws and I get an average of 27.1

mpg.

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