I have a 1989 Ford F150 4x4, reg cab, short box, 4.9L 5 spd. and 3.08 gears. I have 31x10.5x15 tires on it right now, on stock 15x7(front) and 15x8(rear) rims. Don't know why the widths are different, but they are. Anyways, I just bought a set of 35x12.5x15 BFG Mud Terrains from a guy at work for $40 and they are mounted on 5-lug Dodge wheels off of a 1987 Dodge. I know the lug pattern is the same, the hub diameter is larger on the Dodge wheels. I have seen a ton of posts about tires and lifts and came to the conclusion that they didn't help me. I am having trouble deciding how I should go about it. The truck is mainly used for taking me back and forth to work, which is about 2 miles away. It rarely sees highway use, rarely tows anything(but occasionally does), and I don't intend to wheel with it ever. Just something about a good deal on big tires that I couldn't pass up. They have better tread than my bald 31's and I like the look of these old Fords with 35's.

Anyways, I know there are a bunch of options for what I could do to make the tires fit real nice. My question would be, which is the best option and most cost-effective solution? I have heard that these trucks can handle 35's without a lift and you just have to space the bumper out about 2 1/2". Is that true? Would a leveling kit be the best option, or should I do a body lift?

Like I said earlier, I'm not looking to make a huge mud truck, just would like my old stock beater pickup to stand a little taller and look a little tougher.(It has been referred to as a "Tonka truck" by the guys I work with lol) Also, I don't really have a problem with having to trim the fenders, but I would like to avoid it if I can. Thanks for the help.

 

Im pretty sure you'd have some heavy trimming to make 35's work stock height with no rub.

 

The Dodge wheels do not have the correct back set, (if they are stock wheels)

And PLEASE don't use spacers to move them out to where you can use them.. NOT SAFE!!!!!!

 

I wasn't planning on using any spacers. If anything, I would just have the tires put on my Ford rims and go from there. If I do go with a leveling kit, would I have to get anything else besides the kit? I saw some threads say you may need camber bushings and shocks.

 

GOOD..................

 

Its your truck, but I wouldnt go with a body kit. I would go with atleast a 4" lift for the 35s

 

Well since this truck is mostly a back and forth to work beater, I am looking for the most cost-effective method of putting these tires on it. I don't really plan on restoring the truck for another few years while I put money into my station wagon. When the time comes, a nice suspension lift is a good possibility, along with new 35" tires. But again, that is down the road.

 

You'd rather restore a station wagon then a truck?.....If you aren't going to do something right, just don't do it then. wait till "down the road"

 

35x12.5 on a stock 4x4 F150 would probably not work that well. The rubbing would probably be on the radius arms first and it wouldn't take that much of a turn to hit. Even lifted you'd probably run into the same issue. Not to mention it's gonna suck with 3.08 gears. Most cost effective thing to do? Sell the wheels or save them for something else.

 

For 35s to fit you need a 4 inch suspension lift. Do not use body lift. Also, don't start cutting bumpers and body panels to fit tires. Please don't ever use wheel spacers.

Also personally I would not go bigger than 33 inch tires with the smaller engines. Even with a gear swap it will be a dog.

 

Check the Bronco Forum. There are some guys down there that have gotten 35s on the same generation Broncos but they did it with big offset wheels and HEAVY trimming to the body and bumper. Also a 300 with 3.08s would not be an ideal setup at all. I'd say a minimal of 4.11s and if it was my truck I'd go with 4.56s even if I wasn't towing. This is doable and I have always liked to get as biggest tire as possible while keeping the body as low as possible and doing the minimal of suspension lift.

Oh and I have heard that the Dodge wheels have way too much offset for Ford trucks. Measure the back spacing and compare it to what your running now.

 

35's, a 6 cyl and 3.08 gears = a total dog. You'll be sorry you put them on even if you do get it to fit. I wouldn't go any bigger than 31" tires with your combo, and might even go smaller (30x9.50 or 235/75/15.) Sell those 35" tires to someone on Craigslist and get some that fit better.

Oh, and a 7" wheel is too narrow for a 35x12.50 tire. 8" rim width is the minimum and 10" is better.

 

Well I guess my mind has been changed. Thanks everyone for your input. I am going to try to trade the whole set of tires, plus the other 2 that are on 6-lug Chevy rims for a nice set of 33's or 31's. It was just too good of deal to pass up and I guess I got ahead of myself. Again, thanks for all the input and keeping me from making a bad decision.

 

right now with 31's the gear ratio is 2.87 with 33's 2.70 and with 35's 2.54 please regear
3.55s with 33 inch tires is 3.11
3.73s with 33 inch tires is 3.27
4.10s with 33 inch tires is 3.59
4.56s with 33 inch tires is 3.99

 

About all you can run is 31" tires or smaller. Anything larger and it takes away so much from your acceleration and power its not funny.

If anything you need to regear the axles to something more usefull like 3.55's and then you can fit some 32's if you want easily.