Is TTB that bad?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
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Is TTB that bad?
I have searched many different threads over all the pages regarding TTB and SAS swaps. I plan to lift my truck up to 35's which entails a 4 inch lift. From what I hear doing so will eat tires like a sun buck. Now is this an issue with even a stock height ttb? Is this just an issue with a suspension kit that doesn't have all the correct brackets? I figure a set of tires will cost me about a grand where as a lift will cost 600-800 dollars. I can get a Dana 60 sas for about 500-1000. So it would be beneficial to just bite the bullet and get a 60 if they really eat tires with a 4 inch, or overall they do it too. Just curious as to what people have noticed, but with my 4 inch I will do it right all the correct brackets etc.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: In the garage
TTB has always been a notorious tire eater. However, if you get your truck aligned and keep up on your tire rotations you should be ok. It's a capable setup and lots of guys wheel them with great results. Personally, I haven't had a problem with tire wear on my truck. I've witnessed more problems with the 6" than the 4" lifts. Out of curiosity what are you plans for the truck? Dedicated trail/mud rig? Daily driver/weekend warrior? Mall crawler?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
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Its going to be about everything. Its going to be my dd, fishing hunting rig, tow rig, snow crawler. I don't plan to mudbog it but I need to travel some mud and have some fun. I need the 4 inch for grass clearance/mud/snow, more then anything as well as I like the look.
Furthermore, I am going to get a winch bumper built it will be about 200 pounds or so gonna be plate and powdercoated with brush guards. It will run me about $1400 bucks with lights wired and winch mounted. The company will even powdercoat my rack for free. If I run this with a winch, will this even be possible without exceeding the 50ttb weight capabilites on my Ford f250 ?I plan to install 2 additional lights on my rack, and 4 additional on my rack. In total head lights, park lights, 2 in bumper, 2 on bumper, 4 on rack forward, and 2 rear. I am worried about overloading my suspension but I have seen deer hits with this bumper doing 40-50 and the bumper is slightly tweaked.
Furthermore, I am going to get a winch bumper built it will be about 200 pounds or so gonna be plate and powdercoated with brush guards. It will run me about $1400 bucks with lights wired and winch mounted. The company will even powdercoat my rack for free. If I run this with a winch, will this even be possible without exceeding the 50ttb weight capabilites on my Ford f250 ?I plan to install 2 additional lights on my rack, and 4 additional on my rack. In total head lights, park lights, 2 in bumper, 2 on bumper, 4 on rack forward, and 2 rear. I am worried about overloading my suspension but I have seen deer hits with this bumper doing 40-50 and the bumper is slightly tweaked.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 191
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From: Maryland
I think ifyou can get the D60 & steering linkage for around $1K, you'd be ahead of the game, then you'd just need leaf springs with the correct lift arch. If you stick with the D50 & get the drop pivot brackets with camber adjustments, I guess you'd be good also, but since the F250 has leafs already, it makes the SAS so easy & your tire eating days are over.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 725
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From: New Lexington, Ohio
I have a 4" lift on my ttb equipped truck, and it appears to wear tires the same as stock. Not sure what brand lift kit it is, but it's old so I'm guessing skyjacker or superlift. But a D60 is evicting the TTB44 soon!
I'll also say, the TTB is pretty crappy but I'd say they get a worse rep than they deserve...most of the guys I kno that bash them (not all, but most) have 70's vintage trucks with home made lifts and 44" ditchwitch tires with homebrewed lifts. So yea, prolly not for them...
I'll also say, the TTB is pretty crappy but I'd say they get a worse rep than they deserve...most of the guys I kno that bash them (not all, but most) have 70's vintage trucks with home made lifts and 44" ditchwitch tires with homebrewed lifts. So yea, prolly not for them...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Generally, 35" is the most tire you should use with a TTB. Anymore and you need to go with an SAS.
I highly recommend having a plate or two made that can bolt up to your crossmember where the pivot brackets are. TTB flex can be hell on the crossmember, and extra support is always a plus. It's not necessary, but I'm definitely doing it on my truck. Rancho has a TTB 4" kit that comes with this plate. The kit was around 1K last I checked. I think it included everything though including the rear lift stuff and shocks.
I highly recommend having a plate or two made that can bolt up to your crossmember where the pivot brackets are. TTB flex can be hell on the crossmember, and extra support is always a plus. It's not necessary, but I'm definitely doing it on my truck. Rancho has a TTB 4" kit that comes with this plate. The kit was around 1K last I checked. I think it included everything though including the rear lift stuff and shocks.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,001
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From: In the garage
For every guy who hates the TTB there's another guy who loves them. I honestly think the TTB has an undeserved bad rap. Go read this for some more info.
Ford's (In)Famous TTB suspension - Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest
Ford's (In)Famous TTB suspension - Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
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Thanks for the info. I am wondering about my options here for a lift kit. I don't want to have to buy all the plates and drop arms and such piece meal, which kit is the most complete for all this?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,765
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From: Northeast Nebraska
That's some good information on the TTB there...but has anyone ever swapped gears in one? how big of a pain is that? my rear axle on my truck (see signature) recently ate it and i want to gear it down... all the bushings on my TTB are shot and my suspension sags, it sits stock right now, but i wanna lift it 4", anyone have any ideas for that and maybe a good place that'll sell me gears for my axles?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
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On the solid axle 4x4 1/2 ton chevy I had, the front tires wore at almost the same rate as the back. Very even. On a TTB ford, it looks like in stock form the fronts wear out significantly faster than the rears, if you don't rotate them. On the other hand, my TTB ford rides incredibly better than the solid axle chevy. No comparison. It's unbelievable how smooth it is compared to the solid axle chevy...even with 2500# helper springs in the back and heavy duty coils on the front and the quad shock front end
So, some may get lucky and not wear out tires faster. But you have to wonder if the added ride quality and better handling characteristics are worth having tires wear out a little faster. I enjoy having a nice ride personally. It rides so much better than my 2wd short bed ranger too.
So, some may get lucky and not wear out tires faster. But you have to wonder if the added ride quality and better handling characteristics are worth having tires wear out a little faster. I enjoy having a nice ride personally. It rides so much better than my 2wd short bed ranger too.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
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I have no issue with riding in sas pickups. I prefer any pickup over a car, so worst case I can go ahead and lift the ttb if it eats my tires then I will just hunt down an sas for it and swap the lift. Just curious as to if a heavy duty 200 pound winch bumper+ winches and lights would be too much for my truck front end and how I could rectify this? Could I just purchase an f350 lift kit and it will be stronger then current?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 610
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From: socal
I think Skyjacker or Superlift is going to be your best bet for a complete kit. I had the Skyjacker 6" and 36's on my TTB F250 and it did fine. The higher you go and more you wheel you will see the benefits of the Dana 60. TTB is strong, rides nice and on millions of trucks from rangers to early 80's F350's but it has it's limitations, push them and you will want a dana 60.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
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Yeah, can the tire store or myself order in the parts to keep the ttb running good? Over time will it be cost effective to just run a dana 60 with a purchase price of 800-1200 dollars, and save it in terms of additional alignments and wearable suspension parts?
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