In 1985 I purchased my first new vehicle, a 1985 F150 Styleside w/the "new" EFI 5.0L 302, 4speed (yeah, 3 w/granny). I always loved that truck, but eventually traded it in on a new black, 1988 Ranger because I had much further to drive to work at that point. And then in the 90's, I fell into the 5.0 Mustang craze, but always missed that first truck. As the years went by, I was buying Jeep CJ's, and straight axle trucks, lifting them enough to fit either 33" or 35" tires and every cool accessory possible,..with money to burn.

A few decades later and A few months ago, my son and I found a deal on my '82 F150 Step/Flareside, 4x4 and loved reliving the old days. But then as I started checking into the same lifts and tires that I was buying years ago, it seems the prices have gone astronomical. Yep, the economy and inflation definitely sucks the big one. For example: I had a 1998 Dodge Ram in 1999, and a 33X15.50.15 Swamper TSL SX was $177.95. each. The same tire today retails for $359.95. Easy research there because that said Dodge was in June, 2000 issue of 4Wheel and Off Road, page 18...still have a few copies actually. A 6" Superlift for the 80-96 F150 was $515. The same lift today: $837.99. And all this is still based on the hope you can get your TTB front end aligned properly after installation, and I'm not going with a SAS. If I were going that route, I'd buy an '85 Chevy or a '79 F250.

Ok, so we'll take a different route, I wanna stay with my beloved 10" wide rims, so I thought I would settle for a front leveling kit and just run a wide 31" bogger....that is IF I wanted to pay $318.99 each for a 31x12.50. The same tire in the June, 2000 add of 4Wheel Parts Wholesalers: $166.95. And as far as I know, Interco is the only manufacturer these days of ANY 31 inch tire over a 10.50. BTW, you couldn't PAY ME to run another set of Thornbreds, so don't go there.

I realize that when oil prices rise, tire prices increase along with milk, bread and everything else, but this is absurd. It's my conclusion, as crazy as this sounds, off roading hasn't only fell victim to inflation, but it's my belief the aftermarket accessory companies have been cornered by tire manufacturers. Explain to me why a set of TRXUS STS Bias 21/44x20" tires are $100 more expensive PER TIRE than the comparable 21/44x17" when the 20" tire takes much less material to manufacture????? Now, you can argue R&D and retooling for the 20" all you want, but I'm not buying into it....or any more $1000 per set tires in Any size,..ever again. And I don't buy used after market anything, especially tires. I refuse to subject my truck to this, my family or my bank account. Even if I did have the jack to burn and give into this stupidity, I would simply have to refuse at this point.

Just a piece of advice to those that are still buying up the after market for 80-86 parts. a 4" lift with 33's on these trucks look stupid. You need 6". If you're running a 6" lift with 35's, get a 2" body lift. Big tires need a travel area.

I'm out.

 

Your right, prices have gone up. If you can't afford to do what you want - and your not happy with what you have, then you should be getting out.
Good luck.

 

Id disagree with a 4" lift not bein enough for 33s. I had a 94 with a levalin kit fit 32s and travel the rockies just fine. Now as far as tires go, ya they are expensive. With fuel economy on everyones minds theyve had to change things up and change is not cheap. Maybe one day cost will drop but I dont see it anytime soon.

 

It is called supply and demand. If someone is willing to pay "x" amout of dollars for something then the price will go up.

As for 4" not being enough lift for a 33. and 6" not being enough for 35. i totaly DISAGREE. Nothing worse that a huge lifted truck with too small of tire

 

I run 35's on a stock 3/4 ton with no lift and no problems. Tires rub leafs at full lock, but that's no big deal, really, and nothing to do with a lift. 35's with a 6" lift is pushing it, IMO. 4" is plenty if you want "that look"....

 

12 years later and 10+ years of war don't help the prices for anything, especially "disposable" income, luxury type items. It's hard and it sucks, believe me. Insane tire prices, the price of gas, and the price of lift kits are one of the factors that keeps me from lifting my truck during my conversion. That, and I like factory components because they usually can be sourced just about anywhere.

In any case, it's a tough decision to make, especially when nostalgia and spending time with your children come into the mix. Good luck!

 

On the Tires, I remember hearing something about Inteco moving a bunch of their molds to China, if so, that could be a reason for the cost. There is current a 25% tariff on Chinese tires, it expires this year and has been in place since 2009, started at 35% and has gradually been reduced.

 

Last I heard Interco is still in Louisiana

 

last I heard was they were out of business, and what was being sold was what is left. That was a while back and they are still selling them so, I was probably misinformed. Who knows.

 

I just bought a new front motorcycle tire. A Michelin Pilot Road 2, SIZE 120x60x17. $146.
Two years ago I bought the back tire same make in 160x60x17 $130.
So prices are going up.
Disposable income is becoming a thing of the past. More & more are finding this out. Look at the empty seats at a NASCAR race. It was only a few years ago you couldn't buy a ticket on race day, not now.
Craig

 

1.We've all heard the saying of "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should". But there's a difference in a leveling kit and 32's and a 4" lift and 33's. All tires and lifts are Not created equal. Buying the wrong lift with the wrong tire: Measure the lift between 4" Pro-Comp and 4" Trail Master, then measure the diameter between a 33" Dunlop Mud Rover compared to a 33" Swamper Bogger. Post results.

2.And I totally DISAGREE that "Nothing is worse than a huge lifted truck with too small of tire". A perfect example is a huge tire with too small of a lift. This looks at though you didn't plan the lift correctly or ran out of money before you finished the build.

It's all a matter of opinion though, and mine is most lifted trucks with 33's or 35" tires don't have enough lift. It may be "drivable" but it looks like $4!t But I do agree Brad, as long as there are @$$ heads willing to plop down $1,200 for a 4" lift, and $350 for a 33, prices will go up.

 

Ill agree that a leveling kit isnt enough for 33s but a 2" lift is. A 4" kit is perfect for 35s and a 6" kit is good up to 37s. But HD trucks are different ill be openin up my fenders and run a 2" kit and my 37s will have plenty of room for most class 3 trails.

 

Rancho designed the first generation TTB suspension system at 3.5 inches of
lift to fit 33 inch tires, and the set up was very good for late 1980s technology.
The system provided up to 12 inches of suspension travel up front, with 33 inch
tires.
The trucks DID look properly set up.
35ʻs NEED at least a 6 inch lift to look and operated properly.

AS FAR as over the OVERSTUFFED tire look, have you seen the ICELAND
built trucks? they stuff 44s under their trucks and use them too.

http://www.4x4offroads.com/image-fil...l-tour-025.jpg

 

Thats small compared to what else they have up there.

 

You mean like this......

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/...7d9cee45f6.jpg

Big tire and little lift.