2022 Ford Bronco 3.5 Inch Lift Kit Install – Front Suspension Build
The 2022 Ford Bronco Wild Track already ships with roughly an inch of lift over the base model, but that is not enough clearance for 37-inch tires on the trail. In this build we take the front end from a 1-inch factory lift to a full 3.5 inches using Falcon coilovers, Icon billet aluminum upper control arms, and heavy-duty Icon tie rod ends. This is the front-end portion of the build—we covered the rear suspension in an earlier installment—and once the wheels go on, the Eruption Green and Method bronze color combo really comes together.
What Goes Into a Bronco 3.5 Inch Lift Kit
Going from 1 inch to 3.5 inches of front lift on the Bronco requires more than just longer springs. You need coilovers that can handle the added travel, upper control arms that allow enough adjustment for a proper alignment at the new ride height, and stronger tie rod ends to support the heavier 37-inch tires. Here is the complete parts list for this build:
- Falcon 3.5 Inch Coilovers – matched pair for the front, providing the additional 2.5 inches of lift over the Wild Track’s factory suspension
- Icon Billet Aluminum Upper Control Arms – adjustable UCAs finished in Method bronze to match the wheels and rear-end components
- Icon Heavy-Duty Tie Rod Ends – beefed-up replacements for the factory units that are known to bend or break under the stress of 37-inch tires
- Falcon Upper Coilover Bracket – included with the coilovers; bolts on to accept the new eyelet-style top mount
Why the Factory Tie Rod Ends Are a Weak Point
The factory Bronco steering was designed around 33-inch tires. Step up to 37s and the added leverage on every steering input multiplies the load on the tie rod ends. On the trail, one good rock strike or an aggressive turn can bend or snap a stock tie rod end. The Icon heavy-duty replacements use thicker materials and stronger joints to handle the extra force, so you can run bigger tires without worrying about steering failure off-road.
Front Suspension Teardown
Teardown on the Bronco front end is more involved than it looks. Here is the sequence that works:
- Remove the wheel and support the vehicle on jack stands or a lift.
- Disconnect the sway bar end link on the driver side. Leave it disconnected until both sides are done—this saves you from fighting the bar when removing the coilover on the passenger side.
- Remove the factory coilover. This is the tricky part. The coilover sits tight in the knuckle pocket, and on this Bronco it would not drop free until we removed the axle nut and pushed the CV axle inward to create clearance. Once the CV slides in, the knuckle drops enough for the coilover to come out.
- Remove the factory upper control arm. On the driver side, the inner fender liner must come out to access the UCA mounting bolt through the steering linkage. The passenger side is easier—no fender liner removal needed.
- Remove the factory tie rod ends and set them aside.
CV Axle Trick for Coilover Removal
If your coilover will not drop out of the spring pocket, do not force it. Remove the axle nut and let the CV axle slide inward about half an inch. That small amount of movement gives the knuckle assembly enough droop to clear the coilover. Reinstall the axle nut to spec once the new coilover is in place.
Installing the Falcon Coilovers
The Falcon coilovers include a new upper mounting bracket that replaces the factory top hat. Installation goes in reverse order of teardown:
- Bolt the Falcon upper bracket into the factory location in the shock tower. This bracket accepts the eyelet-style top mount on the new coilover.
- Slide the coilover into position from below. Align the lower mount with the knuckle pocket and start the bolts by hand.
- Connect the upper eyelet to the new bracket and torque both ends to spec.
- Reinstall the CV axle nut if you removed it during teardown.
Installing the Icon Upper Control Arms
The Icon billet aluminum UCAs bolt into the factory mounting points. These arms are adjustable, which is critical when you are running 3.5 inches of lift—the factory alignment specs cannot be met without adjustable upper arms at this ride height.
A few notes on the install:
- The UCAs use a heim joint on the upper ball joint, so there is no bushing preload concern on the upper arms. Torque them down on the lift—they do not need to be tightened at ride height the way rubber-bushed arms do.
- The lower control arm bushings are still rubber and will have a preload at the new ride height. Do not torque the lower cam bolts until the alignment shop has the vehicle on the ground. They will loosen the cam bolts, adjust alignment, and re-torque at ride height to reset the bushing preload.
- On the driver side, you must remove the inner fender liner and disconnect the steering linkage to access the UCA bolt. Plan for extra time on that corner.
Passenger Side — Easier Without the Steering Linkage
The passenger side follows the same steps but goes faster because there is no steering linkage or inner fender liner in the way. Disconnect the sway bar on this side once you are ready to pull the coilover—leaving it disconnected from the driver side earlier means it swings free and does not fight you here.
Once both sides are complete, reconnect the sway bar end links on both sides and double-check all hardware before setting the vehicle down.
Alignment Notes — Do Not Skip This Step
After any lift kit install, a professional alignment is mandatory. On this Bronco build, a few things specifically need attention at the alignment shop:
- Upper control arm adjustment: The Icon arms have eccentric cam bolts that set caster and camber. The alignment tech will dial these in at the new ride height.
- Lower control arm bushing preload: The tech must loosen the lower cam bolts, let the bushings settle at ride height on the ground, adjust alignment, and then re-torque. Skipping this step creates a constant preload on the rubber bushings that causes premature wear.
- Jam nuts: Leave jam nuts loose on any adjustable components until after the alignment. The shop will tighten them once everything is dialed in.
The Finished Build
With the front end done and the wheels bolted on, this Eruption Green Bronco sits at a full 3.5 inches of lift on 37-inch tires with Method bronze wheels. The suspension settles slightly once it is driven and the alignment is complete, but even on the lift the stance is dramatically different from the factory Wild Track ride height.
The bronze accent theme ties together the wheels, Icon upper control arms, and the rear suspension components from the earlier build. If you are planning a similar Bronco build, matching the component finishes across the entire suspension makes the underbody look intentional, not pieced together.
Parts Used in This Build
| Component | Brand / Part | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front Coilovers | Falcon 3.5” Coilovers | Includes upper mounting bracket; matched pair for front |
| Upper Control Arms | Icon Billet Aluminum Adjustable UCAs | Method bronze finish; heim-joint upper ball joint; adjustable for alignment |
| Tie Rod Ends | Icon Heavy-Duty Tie Rod Ends | Stronger than factory; required for 37-inch tire clearance and force loads |
| Wheels | Method Bronze | Matched to suspension accents |
| Tires | 37-inch | Requires 3.5” lift and heavy-duty tie rod ends |
