Hey guys and girls, I have a 1987 Ford F150 4x4 4 speed with the 4.9L. I'm from Alabama and you never needed a huge truck there. You can't fit in the trails. You risk rolling over. Etc. All you needed was nobby tires because of the Clay and suspension that could really flex. But I live in South Florida now and despite how boring and pointless it is to go off roading here I still do it. and really all you need is a snorkel, a huge lift, and some big ol' tires. SO! I would like to lift my Truck. The cheapest way is fine. Dont argue with me haha I'd like to get enough lift to get some 38's on there. but with enough room to flex still. Doesnt have to have a 30 foot gap in between the fender and tire but you get what I'm saying. What parts and such are needed (cables, steering, etc) and how much do you reckon this will cost minus labor. I guess atleast 8'' huh. Don't worry about wheels and tires. Thank ya!

 

This is what you need.
Skyjacker Suspension 80 96 Ford F150 8" Kit w/ Arm w/o Shocks

 

do a body lift just spent this weekend making a mud truck all it had was a 5 1/2" body lift and it and it has 40's under it we used 4x6 square tube cut about 6" long and used new cab and body mounts only changes we had to worry about is shifter linkage(longer cable for auto) , steering shaft adaptation, and electric fans cheapest and easiest way we have found and our entire county is full of trucks like this but its your choice

 

the "driveshaft will need to be modified" part is a BIG turn off for me and probably others.

 

Anything over 6" and you need to do that. But to cut and balance a driveshaft is about $150

And to the OP. I hope you plan on a regear. it take ALOT to move 38s

 

Go with a 6" lift kit with a 3" body lift but some of the cheap body lifts do not come with a rear bumper bracket to raise the rear bumper though , good luck ! Also good choice in Florida, Ilive in central Florida , and good luck with your lift , also you might want to look on craigslist.org for a donor truck that is lifted, I see some in my area sometimes at good prices!

 

An 8" lift would be cool and all, but get an F350. You're just going to be wasting money putting parts into the half-ton drive train. The Dana 44 TTB can only support 33" tires off road, and the Dana 50 TTB (as seen in an F250 4x4) can only support 35" tires for long periods. The Dana 60 will easily support 38" tires without breaking every time you hit a bump. You won't have to lift it nearly as far, probably only 4" or so. And you'll save money in the long run by not having to replace parts every week.

 

This. Since you mentioned a snorkle and you're in FL I'm assuming you're going to be in mud. Find a 84.5-97 F350 4x4 with a 460 (or any one-ton 4x4 with a D60 front). Try to find 4.10:1 gears with a rear limited slip diff and you can get by for a while with just the lift and tires. You'll probably want to go lower eventually but you won't be forced to right away.

 

^Good to see I've got some support on that.

 

I actually recommend it quite often. If you're gonna end up swapping most or all of the drive train, might as well find a truck that already has most of the stuff you're looking for. Or find a truck that isn't running and swap the stuff into that instead of tearing apart a perfectly good truck.

I was wanting to swap 1-ton axles, big block, th400 trans, and NP203/205 stacked boxes into my blazer but it already has a crate 350 and rebuilt 700r4 and the body is in good shape. Figured I could spend an extra $500 and get a blazer that needs a new engine or trans and keep my perfectly good blazer for DD duties.

 

NO NO NO people... I dont have the money for another truck. especially not a 350 or a 250 with a 460 in it. They already get about 5 mpg lol I just want the cheapest way to lift MY truck I have now. One or 2 were helpful. everyone else acts like I have a money tree in my backyard. lol

 

If you cant afford to buy another truck, then you cant afford to lift yours. It is that simple

 

Guys c'mon, Give him a break. All he wanted to do was find the cheapest lift for his truck. I6, I'd go with a 6inch lift and just stay with 33's. If you use 33's you won't need to re-gear, heck you could run 35's but its just going to be stuffed. Use that on the trails until you can buy a dedicated mud truck. That's how we do it here in florida. Plus, there are plenty of trails and mud holes that wont swallow an F-150 with 33's.

6" lift from rough country:
Ford Suspension Lift Kits

 

Oh okay, well when I save enough to buy a F350 4x4 with a 460 in it and money to lift it and put wheels and tires on it..... Then I will lift my truck. thanks man. such a big help. Because I can go out and buy that 350 and dump money in it for about 1500 right? lol



Thank you MeWhoahIts you were helpful

 

I built my 250 the way it is right now for $2200...straight axle and all.