Hi guys, I just retired my 03 f250 larit SD as my company work truck.
I am going to put it up and was looking into a icon 6 in lift. and cut out fender flare. I want to run 38 15.5 ssr swamper with this set up and was wondering if any one has done 38 with a 6 in lift. if they had rubbing isuses ,and what back spacing of wheel they used.I will be useing the truck for moderate to hardcore wheelin. Also, my truck is a 5.4 v8 with witch just spit out a spark plug. So i am replacing my heads with the trick flow twisted wedge heads for the 5.4. Adding a comp cams XE262AH cams pn#012500 and a HPS(high performce solutions)5.4 intake.And maby a voretech suppercharger in the future(over bugdet already lol).I will be runnig 5.13 gears with detroit lockers front and back.
I am currently running shorty headers with a custom 2 1/2 in pipes magniflow cats and flowmaster 40 series mufflers. Is any one runnig a set up like this do they like it ,and what kind of rwhp are they makeing. Does any one make full lenght headers for SD 5.4's Any coments would be great thanks.

 

i cant really answer any of those questions other than the lift...those tires will definately rub with a 6 inch lift. the 38s MIGHT fit but its the 15.50 width that will make them rub. an 8 inch lift would be a better choice. they might even still rub depending on rim backspacing but only on really sharp turns.

 

i can honestly say i havent seen anyone on here running that kind of setup. im interested to see that thing running!! subscribed!

 

Most people run 37/13.5 with a 6 in lift. The 38 /15.5 are only 1 in taller and 2 in wider. I would like to stay with the 6 in lift for the lower center of gravity. This is why I was going to use the bushwacker cut out flares for the extra room. I am concerned with the witdth of the tires rubbing at full lock , full compresoin on the leaf springs. Thats way i need to play with the back spacing of the wheels. I'm not really concerned with the hight of the lift with the hight of the tire, espesially with cut out. If it does hit fender i will trim them till they dont. I will post some pic and a dyno sheet when i'm done.

 

I'm looking at very similar mods for my 2005 F350. The Bushwacker "cut-out" flares will significantly reduce the amount of lift required to clear the 38" tires. There is a guy (Tank 250) that is running 41" Irok tires with only a 4.5" Icon lift kit on his 2006 F250. Therefore, you should have no issues with 38" tires with the 6" Icon list kit.

Here is a guy running a 2.5" leveling kit and 36" tires. He has plenty of clearance at the fender wells.





Here is a guy with 38" tires and a 6" ProComp lift kit:

Rigs...


As far as wheels, you will need as little back spacing as possible with those 15.5" wide tires to avoid rubbing the front leaf springs. There is a recent thread from a FTE member who has rubbing issues with his Excursion. He too want to run 15.5" tires in the future and a back spacing of 2.75" was recommended, which means custom wheels.

As for long-tube headers, I recommend the OBX headers on eBay. The are high quality but designed for the F150. I plan to try them for fitment in the near future.

99-03 Ford F-150 Triton 4.6L 5.4L V8 ALL , OBX Header:eBay Motors (item 150384571291 end time Nov-05-09 13:06:39 PST)



I can't wait to see your setup... please post pics!

 

Hi guys, Thanks for the advice. 41" irocks sound nice , but i will stick to the 38ssr for now.(if they look to small or if i have the room at full lock i might be selling some 38ssr 's) I will be using the OBX header ill let you know how they fit , thanks. I order the lift kit, heads, cams, and intake maniflod today and will be ordering the headers later. That brings me back to rims i was thinking of some stazwork custom double bead locks, a little pricey but nice.
I wont get the heads tilll 12/2 and i have to order rims but im on it so not long now guys. I can't wait thanks guys

 

Sounds like an interesting project.... subscribed!

 

Any update?

 

I have been messing with this upgrade for a while now. I have a Excursion but its basically the same thing. Here is what I have found:

With the cutouts and corrisponding bumper cut to follow the arc of the flares and needed clearance they will fit with only light rubbing on the leaf springs and only at full lock out at stock height. That is IF you choose the correct spec rims. You need 4-4.5 backspacing. 4.5 is the most common. The rim width needs to be 11-12" 12 is the only choice and best choice without going full custom. DO NOT do 10" rims. Some guys have put them on 10" as they are easier to find and cheaper but they rub worse and it also is below the min rim width allowed by any of the manfs of that width tire. 20x12 4.5 backspacing would be my rec. I personally think you would do very well to do a 3-4.5 shackle hanger lift for a number of reasons. My rec would be ICONs kit for the lift. Make sure to speak with them as if you do lift you will need an adj track bar option for sure. This type of lift will give your springs more travel and actually a better ride than stock, without loss is load carrying, and improved perf especially with the wider tire foot print. It will have a great stance. It will still keep the tire up in the wheel well for a good low cog. Blisten or Icon shocks. Not sure the maintance upkeep on it as you said its work truck but check all the bearing steering etc.

Personally I love the look and performacne of big wider tires with cut out and mild lift as opposed to tall lifts to save cutting that puts the truck up over the tires and creates a much higher COG and reduced perf. Places and uses for both.