Hey guys-

I recently bought a 96 f150 XLT (regular cab, long bed). I was wondering if any of you have ever lifted it or something very similar? I have a few questions.

1. Is it expensive? I was thinking I would get something like a 5" lift. Im not sure what people usually lift to or if there are only certain increments you can do.

2. Would I have to buy new, bigger tires if i did lift it?

3. Would it hurt my MPG?


Thanks
Mike

 

Before answering these questions, it's kind of important to know what you plan on doing with the truck after you lift it.
But without that info...
1) A suspension lift isn't very cheap. If you put in a leveling kit and a 3" body lift it would be about 5" of lift and it would be fairly cheap. But I don't really like body lifts, especially if it's going to be offroaded.

2) You don't NEED to buy bigger tires, but it will look goofy with small tires. You could fit 35" tires comfortably with 5" of lift, but for instance, if you put on 35"x12.5" tires, it would be best to use rims that are 10" wide with a 4" backspacing so the tires don't rub anything when you turn at full lock.

3) Yes. Take into consideration that you will be further from the ground and with big wide tires you will lose power, and you will have more friction on the ground. If you put on 35" tires, it would be advised to use 4.10 - 4.56 gears in the truck.

Now, if you want to lift this truck that tall and then wheel it and beat it pretty bad, the front axle isn't going to like 35" tires on it. If it's just going to be a mall crawler, it will be alright. If you do plan to offroad it, look into a Straight Axle Swap for a Dana 44 from the late 70's from an f150 or Bronco (78-79 would be ideal). It will be a lot stronger than the TTB front end.

 

It could be $1,400-$2025 depending on what you get and if you get new leaf springs and a steering stabilizer and thats just for the lift.

 

Then you figure $1,200-$2000 for rims and tires. Then another $500-$1000 for gears. Then add another $500 if you want a locker. Then about another $1500 for a brake upgrade, so you can actually stop those big tires.

It gets really pricey, really fast.

 

Thanks guys... Seems very complicated. Ill have to look into it. Another option is just a leveling kit, right? With that I could get some bigger tires and wouldnt totally kill the MPG? A leveling kit would lift it a bit?

 

A leveling kit would lift the front of you truck up about 2", and give you enough room for 33" tires. I wouldn't kill your mpg and power, but it would harm you.

 

It would harm me? Say wha?

 

it wouldnt kill your MPG and power..just hurt/harm it a bit

 

Ahaha o Woops. Thanks!! With a leveling kit of 2.5 inches and 33s that is all I would have to do right? No steering stabilizer or anything with the gears?

 

What motor, trans, and gears does your truck have? the axle code and trans code are in your door jamb

 

Sorry I should have been a little clearer. Lol. I would recommend gears for 33's. Something like 4.10. Which you can possible find in a junkyard.

 

Hmm I'll look into that because I'm not sure what that entails lol. Thanks

 

What gears do you have now? You can give us the "axle" code listed on the sticker in the driver's side door jamb and somebody will know the code (I know only one or two ) I have stock 3.55 gears with 33x12.50s on 15x10 wheels and it is not that bad. A little slower acceleration, a little slower decceleration. Towing amplifies things. I'll never go down in tire size, but I've been casually looking for 4.11/4.10 or so gears for a few years. I have put 30,000 miles on the truck like this and it doesn't bother me. I even had my 35x12.50 claws on it for 2,000 miles or so. Drivetrain is a 5.0L with an E4OD.