Im getting ready to order my tires, gears, and spools for the truck. Im wanting to keep it low, and its gonna be a mud and trail riding. East Tenn. trail riding so some rocks and alot of thick mud. How much will I have to trim the fenders to make them fit. Im trying to do this with out a lift just to keep it low and I like how low meaty tired trucks look. Also what gears would you all suggest for this? Im running a 400,c6,np205 combo. The 400 is gonna get a good cam and timing set and a four barrel intake and carb really soon. It already has headers. The truck will see a lil road time but mostly mud. What do you all suggest for gears, and will the tires fit. Thank you and Semper FI

 

Youd shouldn't have too much trouble fitting then 35s at stock ride height, if ya do then just break out the sawzall, even then it shouldn't be too much trimming involved, id say go for 4.10 or 4.56 gears, kinda of your preference, but if it were me and it wont be on the road too awful much and at too high speed then 4.56s, just my .02, btw welcome to the minions!

 

35s will fit fine without trimming and no lift. I would trim anyways just to avoid gouging my tires in case of some unexpected uptravel. Just trim an inch or two following the contours and it will fit and look fine.

I have the same powertrain combo and i have the stock 4.10 gears and with my 33s it does pretty good, i'd suggest 4.56s if you have anything less than 4.10

 

I would also suggest 4:56's....

 

And I would only go with the 14.5" wide instead of the 16.5" wides. With no lift, you will need to trim a decent amount to keep from hitting the fenders an keep a decent turning radius. Also, you won't need to run nearly as wide a rim which means saving a few $$!

 

this for your 78 f150?

I ran the 36 tires I ahve on my bronco now with no lift and no trimming for a while, little bit of rubbing on the inner fender at full lock and weird angles, but nothing too bad.

 

But Paul, your tires are only like 12.5-13" wide, he's talking about a 16.5" wide tire. I think it will end up hitting the outer part of the fender (i.e. body) more than the inner part (i.e. plastic).

 

You're right, I didn't even notice the 16 wide. These older trucks have a lot of clearance though, I think he could probably get away with it without too many problems. Depending on backspacing he may have trouble with hitting the radius arms more than the fenders..

Oh and if you decide to go with the 4.56s (what i'd recommend too if this is a trail truck) I have a set for a HP D44 if you're interested.

 

35s will fit, and probably rub a little.
but, 16" wide, they'll rub like mad.

14.5" would be better(and cheaper tire and wheel wise), and I'd think about putting a 1.5-2" lift just up front(b/c the old stock springs tend to sag).
I'd say 4.56s if you don't take it out on the hwy often.

 

[QUOTE=MBBFord;6315437]35s will fit, and probably rub a little.
but, 16" wide, they'll rub like mad./QUOTE]

Well, on a highboy they should fit fine, I think you might have rub at lock but not "mad". A little trimming and he should be fine.

 

Lets put it like this.

I have a 79 F250 with 4" of lift and 38.5x14.50s on 12" steelies. Highboys are 2" taller than the later 77.5-79 trucks. Some people claim more but 2" is it. Shorter but wider tires with no lift will rub the back edge of the fenders unless backspacing is perfect.

Lifts are cheap for these trucks and a AAL is probably all you'll need. I wouldnt go with any tire size less than 35s on a highboy.