Too many times we see suspension companies concentrate on brand-new trucks instead of the old ones that most of us actually wheel. They are concerned with having the best kit for the newesttruck at the next SEMA show. The new truck owner is willing to spend lots of dough to get something that drives nicely on the highway, and usually isn't too interested in how it works off road. The old truck owner is a cheap bastard looking for something he can abuse, thrash on, and make perform in extreme situations. Gee, which guy would you want to build suspensions for?
The problem with all this is that it leaves old truck owners with 20-year-old technology or demands that custom suspensions be cut and fabbed. CAGE Off-Road saw the need for some hard-core, up-to-date suspension kits for guys who like to wheel, and over the last couple of years has brought out some competitively priced kits with some hard-core parts.
CAGE has been known for its early ('66-'77) Bronco kits and '05-'08 Super Duty kits, but when we found out the company had a kit for the '78-'79 Bronco and F-150 with progressive-rate coil springs for around $150 per pair, we knew we had to take a look.
Though CAGE does have rear leaf springs ready and available, the owner of this truck had a lot of '80s derived suspension ideas implemented in back, and we felt it best not to give you any bad ideas, so just imagine a new leaf spring and shock combo in your head. They bolt up in the factory spots, the same as the factory equipment.
When we got to CAGE Off-Road...
When we got to CAGE Off-Road in St. Helens, Oregon, the folks there had already bolted a complete kit onto the fullsize Ford (an F-150, not a Bronco in this case) and had removed it for inspection. We arrived just in time to see the CAGE head unit being examined. CAGE head units (instead of the factory radius arms) bolt to the factory C-caps around the rubber C-bushings that Ford used. If you're a Bronco owner then you know how many times you've replaced these bushings. New urethane C-bushings are provided with the correct degree of caster for the lift you're trying to get, either 3 1/2 or 5 1/2 inches (using the complete kit with progressive-rate coils).
If you're starting on a stock...
If you're starting on a stock Bronco, the factory radius-arm mount must be removed. This CAGE radius-arm bracket bolts onto the frame and allows for the longer radius arm. You'll need to drill a few holes to get the bolts in, but CAGE has taken the time to cut holes in the bracket so it will slide right onto the frame without having to remove any factory bolts.
The secret to the CAGE radius-arm...
The secret to the CAGE radius-arm kit working so well is that it incorporates bushings between the radius arm and the CAGE head unit. This allows more deflection and twist when compared to the binding factory design of the radius-arm suspension. With the frame bracket and head unit in place, we were able to bolt up the CAGE radius arm. It's made from 5/16-inch-wall, 2-inch-diameter tubing and features a 15-degree bend to allow full steering turn of a big off-road tire (a problem with the factory straight radius arms).
We were pleased to see such...
We were pleased to see such a high-quality rod end being used in the kit. A 1 1/4-inch shank and 1-inch bore FK rod end allows the radius arm to pivot in the frame bracket.
CAGE has made a unique dual...
CAGE has made a unique dual shock hoop that bolts to the frame and factory coil bucket. You will need to drill holes, but it is very easy to fit into place. We found it easiest to place the first bolts, tighten them up, and then drill the other holes accordingly.
CAGE also provides dual front...
CAGE also provides dual front nitrogen-charged twin-tube shocks. The company likes the twin-tube shocks because the dual tube design allows the outer tube to be dented while not inhibiting the travel of the shock shaft and piston inside the inner tube wall. Dual shocks are mounted via a single sheer 3/8-inch plate bracket on both the shock hoop and radius arm.
Here is most of the suspension...
Here is most of the suspension installed, complete with new progressive-rate coils new radius arms, dual shock hoops, and nitrogen-charged shocks. The only part left to do was watch as they fabricated a brand-new track-bar bracket for their production kit that will be ready by the time you read this.
The new CAGE track-bar bracket...
The new CAGE track-bar bracket came out nicely and, if anything, was almost overkill to hold the old track bar in place. It lowers the track-bar frame hole to keep the track bar parallel with the steering drag link. To adjust for the extra height of the truck, the kit includes a dropped pitman arm.