Portal or not to portal

I wish I could afford portals. They are truly the only way to gain more ground clearance. For me I will eventually go with a complete suspension update and 37” tires. Tires wil give you a little, suspension will get you some for the body. But the portals will give you real clearance for the low hanging parts.

@Unicorn has portals and a bunch of upgraded steering components on his rig. Maybe he can chime in. I believe they are the 74weld units

Jakob1972

@Unicorn has portals and a bunch of upgraded steering components on his rig. Maybe he can chime in. I believe they are the 74weld units

I believe those are the ones I was looking at was the 74 weld portals I just saw a video of a bronco in Utah with portals and I loved it's stance

Just watched the video on their website. They have put together a comprehensive suspension system. Curious as to what the cost of all the components is.

Brandon113

So I've decided on two options either the king Baja kit by brenthal or either the portal kits...both give a lift as well as a wider stance to keep geometry.

Does anyone here have any installed that they like on their vehicle

Two different purposes for two different types of off roading.....

The portals will give you clearance... LOTS of clearance, but they do not increase articulation at all. and the articulation on a IFS is like having T rex arms..... But I can 3 wheel all day long and on the trails I run (with two lockers) I value clearance over articulation. I am in the Rocky mountains and most my trail running is slow speed... Often between a couple MPH up to maybe 30 MPH... You really do not want to go any faster on these trails.

The long arm is definitely the way to go if you are into high speed dessert running. You want the additional up front movement to help absorb the bumps at speed. You do not get as much clearance but you do not need as much when you are running those trails.

I did add a set of coil overs that I had custom tuned by Accutune. Game changing as far as the ride goes. Both on road and off road. I thought the 2.5 inchers were necessary with all the additional unsprung weight. I do not know as if they were "necessary" but man they make a huge difference in ride quality.

I HIGHLY recommend updating the steering rack if you go to 38s or 40s.... The steering is a big part of what makes the IFS so awesome, it is also the weakest link. DO NOT upgrade the tie rods without upgrading the rack. You do not want to break the rack. the Tie rods are the "fuse". They are a much cheaper and easier trail fix.



The case is 3 inches so that is 21 inches..... Stock is 11.8, Raptor is 13.6...



I went with the 74 weld option. I understand that Vasser?? is manufacturing another really good steering rack option.




The combination of the portals and coil overs and 40s does make it rather tall but it does exceptionally well off road while still being rather stable on road.

So with the portals it's more of rock crawling it seems like..but I don't think I'll be doing too insane of rock crawl trails I'd need more experience..but on the other hand I don't see myself ever going to the Baja sand dunes for any high speed driving as well...just a comfy medium...but if the portals give me stance and height that's seems like my go to?..
I have the stock 35s and as for now I probably will keep that tire size for a while till I recover from the portal purchase🤣.. so should I be fine holding off on the tie rods and steering rack till I get bigger tires

Brandon113

So with the portals it's more of rock crawling it seems like..but I don't think I'll be doing too insane of rock crawl trails I'd need more experience..but on the other hand I don't see myself ever going to the Baja sand dunes for any high speed driving as well...just a comfy medium...but if the portals give me stance and height that's seems like my go to?..
I have the stock 35s and as for now I probably will keep that tire size for a while till I recover from the portal purchase🤣.. so should I be fine holding off on the tie rods and steering rack till I get bigger tires

Just so you know... this gets expensive.... very expensive.... If you are just looking for "stance" there are a lot less expensive options. 5 inch and 7 inch lifts will clear 38s and 40s.

Unicorn

Just so you know... this gets expensive.... very expensive.... If you are just looking for "stance" there are a lot less expensive options. 5 inch and 7 inch lifts will clear 38s and 40s.

But from what I've seen is only the Baja upgrade give a wider stance as well as the portals push out a wider stance? Or is there another that I missed

Brandon113

But from what I've seen is only the Baja upgrade give a wider stance as well as the portals push out a wider stance? Or is there another that I missed

But I also do try to take my bronco out on some trails in AZ too so they need to be able to be used not just a mall crawler

Brandon113

But I also do try to take my bronco out on some trails in AZ too so they need to be able to be used not just a mall crawler

I understand.... but budget may dictate... I do not know what your budget is... But if you want want to do what I have done... It is the price of a second Bronco... Just so you have an idea.... You can still "wheel" a lifted Bronco.... How hard you want to get after it will depend on what your weak links are. I can run really challenging trails, but this is no rock buggy either...

Unicorn

I understand.... but budget may dictate... I do not know what your budget is... But if you want want to do what I have done... It is the price of a second Bronco... Just so you have an idea.... You can still "wheel" a lifted Bronco.... How hard you want to get after it will depend on what your link links are. I can run really challenging trails, but this is no rock buggy either...

Just rough price...what did the lift options cost you all together not including rims and tires

Brandon113

Just rough price...what did the lift options cost you all together not including rims and tires

Portals = $20,000
custom tuned coil overs = $7000
Steering rack and tie rods = $7000
Tires = $3500
Then you have all the other little things... GRMS radio, Can Opener, Procal tune, Lights, Etc. etc. etc....

so rough... $50,000.

Well dang that's def a price of another bronco lol but it's something I'm sure you love😁

Brandon113

Well dang that's def a price of another bronco lol but it's something I'm sure you love😁

I am old and this is my easy chair... I have spent years out on my back on the trail trying to fix crap that I broke.... I still want to go I just do not want to be fixing things while laying in the mud anymore.

That and I have all the modern connivences now... The cameras are fricking awesome!

@Brandon113, I also live in AZ. Down in the city of Maricopa. If you haven’t done so yet look into the local Bronco clubs. They are a great opportunity to get together with other enthusiasts and hit the local AZ trails. I am a member with Arizona Bronco’s, but another good club is Tucson Bronco’s. They have numerous runs in and around all parts of Northern, Central and Southern AZ. A great opportunity together with others and see what your rig can do.

TK1215

@Brandon113, I also live in AZ. Down in the city of Maricopa. If you haven’t done so yet look into the local Bronco clubs. They are a great opportunity to get together with other enthusiasts and hit the local AZ trails. I am a member with Arizona Bronco’s, but another good club is Tucson Bronco’s. They have numerous runs in and around all parts of Northern, Central and Southern AZ. A great opportunity together with others and see what your rig can do.

@Brandon113.... This is about the BEST advice going! see, look, discuss....

TK1215

@Brandon113, I also live in AZ. Down in the city of Maricopa. If you haven’t done so yet look into the local Bronco clubs. They are a great opportunity to get together with other enthusiasts and hit the local AZ trails. I am a member with Arizona Bronco’s, but another good club is Tucson Bronco’s. They have numerous runs in and around all parts of Northern, Central and Southern AZ. A great opportunity together with others and see what your rig can do.

Ooo that sounds fun

So far I think I'm settling with the king Baja +3 kit and I talked to a sales rep he's offering a 10% discount which helps ill probably just keep the stock 35s

Here's a different portal, but it's a little pricey...

Very attractive, but the price of entry is...your eternal soul...