I have a question for all of you. I will be getting my new SuperDuty in a few weeks and plan to do the follwing mods does anyone see anything wrong with what I am going to do and or do you have any suggestions?

1. Replace factory tires with 315 75 R16

2. Install a front end leveling kit

I was told that I would have to measure the diffrence between the front end and rear end to insure I get the right kit. In other words apparently I can not just go order a 2.5" kit and expect it to work.

Thanks for any and all advice..

 

First of all, welcome to FTE and congrats on your purchase! If you need advice or just want to shoot the "spit" with a bunch of guys that run the same trucks, you've found the right place.

In reference to your questions, check out the FAQ by going the thread at the top of the forum or click here.

Both tire sizes & leveling kit info can be found in the Aftermarket Stuff section of the FAQ.

You are definately headed on the right track, by the way. I can only add that I would wait for the truck to arrive & check the level before ordering a leveling kit -- My F-250 sits pretty level on its own (never took a tape to it, but it looks all right to me). And as far as tires are concerned, you might want to burn through the stock ones over the summer before you put more expen$ive tires on. If you're anything like me, you'll put most of the miles on your truck in the first few months, and the added heat from the summer conditions will help you go through a set of tires pretty fast. I opted to save a few bucks and burn my stockers before I gear-up on high end tires. 33,000 miles on the Firestones and counting! Not much tread left on them; I hope they last through the end of summer...

And in case you need any more ideas on spending $$$ on your truck, the mods below are pretty popular:

(1) Bed Liner. Slide-in or Spray-on is your choice. Spray-ons seem to be more popular here, but I'm happy with my slide-in Duraliner (with a paint saver pad). Whichever you chose, it's worth getting; keeps the bed from getting scratched, scuffed, dented.
(2) Shocks. The stock shocks suck. I went with Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks. Some guys have Bilsteins. Some guys have Ranchos. Search the forums and you'll find 2 recent threads I started with more info than you would ever want!
(3) Bed Cover/Tanneau. Truxedo seems to be the best Tonneau I've come accross so far
(4) Husky (or other similar make) floor mats. Help contain all the mud & crap I drag in.
(5) Steering Stabilizer -- keeps the truck from stumbling like a drunk sailor when you hit pot-holes. I'm pretty happy with my Rancho kit.

Aw hell... getting tired of typing. Just check the galleries of some of the regulars here (including mine), and you'll see more mods than you knew existed! If you need help, you've found the right place!

 

Welcome aboard.

315's are pushing it a little on a stock SD and with the stock wheels, I think you may get some rubbing with them, especially if you take the truck off road. This info is in the FAQ section.

As for tires, I'd suggest that you have 2 options, one is haroutd's suggestion, the other is this:

Take them off before you even put a mile on them. Work out a deal with your dealer, or the local tire guy you like, to exchange the tires before you even pick up the truck or very shortly after. That way the stock tires can be sold as "new take offs" or even as "new" and you'll get a lot more for them. You'll likely only get about 60% of the tires retail value, but that's a nice down payment on your new tires.

If you know your dealer or tire guy well, they might even give you their cost on the tires (same for him as buying from the distributor), especially if they know you're going to buy another set (of expensive tires) from them that day and have them installed and balanced.

Waxy

 

WELCOME!
think big 14" lift on 40's HA!

 

I think you need the edge 3 1/2 hangers for a perfect level.No measuring required.

 

The Edge hanger and shackle leveling kit is 3".........which will typically level a F-350 that has 4" blocks in the back.
If you put the 3" on a F-250 you'll need to put 4" blocks in the rear, in place of your 2" blocks.

2" would level out a F-250 w/ the 2" blocks in the rear.


Hope this helps.

Edit: Almost forgot if you run those 35" tires on a leveling kit, I'd stick to street driving unless you don't mind some rubbing....or reshaping the fenders

 

Thanks for the great information everone. I can see I still have some homework to do. One last question....

Should I go to bigger tires (285, 305,315 75 R16) can I still use my factory rims?

Thanks

 

IMHO the factory rims are fine up to 295/75 - 16's, over that, you're pushing it. There are guys here running tires larger than 295's on the stock rims though.

Waxy

 

Thanks Waxy,

I think I have it narrowed down. Here is what I have come up with so far...

I will keep the factory rims and have been told by a tire shop that I can get away with 295/75/16 or 305/70/16. I prefer the taller tires.

In order to do all that I have to measuer the amount of nose down drop I have from the front to rear and then get the right leveling kit. Again through research I have been advised that depending on how much lift is needed I have several options.

I will let you guys know how it turns out and send a few pick this way. The truck should be in a about 5-6 weeks. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

 

I have a 99 f350 with the leveling kit and 315 75's on 16x10's and they only rub lightly when I have themn turned just right and go up a large incline with one front tire.

 

Thanks rrmike,

I guess the real dilema is running 315 on factory rims. I have been told it is not recomended.

 

When I first bought my truck I ran the 315/75'3 on my stock rims
from my old truck for almost a year with no problems. Even at 15 psi. However, if you are concerned, almost all tire manu's have a list on their websites regarding rim and tire fitment. Keep in mind that the stock rims are only 7 or 7.5 inches wide. I can't remember but someone will be along to confirm or deny. I never rubbed except when off roading. Intercotire.com also has a bunch of stuuf on their home page about fiiting tires and rims.