35's VS 37's?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
Aaah
I have bought lots of military tires.... $100 each is outrageous.
Last set I bought were 60$ each. Before that I bought 20 tires for $40 each.
You gotta realize that they suck though. They look mean but are a very hard compound. They are slippery in the rain and no siping makes them less then ideal in the snow. Mud they are ok if you're aggressive, but having a 3800lb rating each makes it nearly impossible to air them down.
Last, they are darn heavy. Like so heavy it feels like your stopping a trailer with no trailer brakes.
I like them still, but figured I'd let you guys know some of the stuff people don't tell you normally.
I have bought lots of military tires.... $100 each is outrageous.
Last set I bought were 60$ each. Before that I bought 20 tires for $40 each.
You gotta realize that they suck though. They look mean but are a very hard compound. They are slippery in the rain and no siping makes them less then ideal in the snow. Mud they are ok if you're aggressive, but having a 3800lb rating each makes it nearly impossible to air them down.
Last, they are darn heavy. Like so heavy it feels like your stopping a trailer with no trailer brakes.
I like them still, but figured I'd let you guys know some of the stuff people don't tell you normally.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Shelburne, VT
I am so glad I stumbled on these posts!
So here I go
Is it better to swap out the IFS to a F350 solid axle and buy an F350 lift?
Even if your only looking for a 6" of lift to tuck 35" or 37" tires. Also 15" or 16" or 16.5" rims? Which is better and allows more versitility in tire choices? Seems like most 35" or bigger tires in a radial start out around $325 a tire new. If you buy on the Craigslist most tires i've seen are $1000 bucks with 1/2 tread or $500 bills with 1/4 tread. If you want to actually go off road 1/4 tread doesn't seem like much meat to go wheelin with.
So here I go
Is it better to swap out the IFS to a F350 solid axle and buy an F350 lift?
Even if your only looking for a 6" of lift to tuck 35" or 37" tires. Also 15" or 16" or 16.5" rims? Which is better and allows more versitility in tire choices? Seems like most 35" or bigger tires in a radial start out around $325 a tire new. If you buy on the Craigslist most tires i've seen are $1000 bucks with 1/2 tread or $500 bills with 1/4 tread. If you want to actually go off road 1/4 tread doesn't seem like much meat to go wheelin with.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
BFG tires are about that.
Quick search I found 35-12.5-15 for 265ea. Dunlop mud rover.
There are cheaper versions out there also.
Depending on what you have for truck depends on size rim to use. 15/16/17+ have an inner bead lip to help prevent the tire from unseating when aired down. 16.5 rims don't have this and lots of people believe this rim size is being phased out.
The price of big 17" tires are comming down though.
Shorter sidewall helps road handling but bigger sidewall is better for airing down tires for grip.
Quick search I found 35-12.5-15 for 265ea. Dunlop mud rover.
There are cheaper versions out there also.
Depending on what you have for truck depends on size rim to use. 15/16/17+ have an inner bead lip to help prevent the tire from unseating when aired down. 16.5 rims don't have this and lots of people believe this rim size is being phased out.
The price of big 17" tires are comming down though.
Shorter sidewall helps road handling but bigger sidewall is better for airing down tires for grip.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Shelburne, VT
I have a 91' F250HD 7.5L came with 15's but they are not stock wheels, currently running 31's. I am looking to be able to do some deep mud runs and cover the back fields with monster tractor ruts, also play in the woods climbing downed trees and small rock ledges but be able to drive it to work as well.
UNTAMND- so it sounds like 16.5's are not really worth looking for unless you want a really cheap tire?
UNTAMND- so it sounds like 16.5's are not really worth looking for unless you want a really cheap tire?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
15s only fit on the back. 15s will not fit on the front of a 3/4 or 1 ton ford with the dual piston calipers.
Are you sure they were 15s. I'd like to see the grinding or modification to get them to fit.
Are you sure they were 15s. I'd like to see the grinding or modification to get them to fit.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Shelburne, VT
I will snap some pics but I don't believe they've been modified. Although I haven't spent a huge amount of time working on the front end of my truck.
Any advice on the IFS to straight axle swap? I have a friend who says if I am not going to go bigger than a 37" tire to just get a 6" kit for the IFS and sell off my spare straight axle, I only need it if I wanted to go up to a 44" tire , which he says "That's not practical if'n ya still want to tow with it though." So now I am trying to figure out the best practical way to go.
Any advice on the IFS to straight axle swap? I have a friend who says if I am not going to go bigger than a 37" tire to just get a 6" kit for the IFS and sell off my spare straight axle, I only need it if I wanted to go up to a 44" tire , which he says "That's not practical if'n ya still want to tow with it though." So now I am trying to figure out the best practical way to go.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 3
From: Conway, South Carolina
This is my 89 f150. Currently has a 6" lift. I am running 35*12.5*R15 BFG AT's. I think my next set will be 37's I believe.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
Any advice on the IFS to straight axle swap? I have a friend who says if I am not going to go bigger than a 37" tire to just get a 6" kit for the IFS and sell off my spare straight axle, I only need it if I wanted to go up to a 44" tire , which he says "That's not practical if'n ya still want to tow with it though." So now I am trying to figure out the best practical way to go.
A ttb d50 has no issues with prolonged abuse with a 460 a d 40" tires. It's almost a d60 just with an extra ujoint.
I usually brace the drop down brackets for the ttb arms and that stiffens it up substantially.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
10" wide 15 inch rims will fit these trucks. BUT, you need to get a 2.5" backspacing or less.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
I can see how they fit now. I doubt I'd run that on my daily driver though. Just me.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 3
From: Conway, South Carolina
Yellow is for hwy gearing, black for factory, Blue for performance.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
think ima do a 4inch lift up front and 2in the rear with 37s and to level it out, big tires and little lift looks best, plus i dout i will take it off the road very much, and if i do it should pretty much be flat ground anyways, for 37s what gears do you want? like say 4.55s? or somthing like that, and i think 4.10s for like 33s and 35s? not much for highway