Alrighty fellas, I know this has been asked about a billion times, but I'm gonna ask once more. I'm not new to offroading, but certainly new to lift kits and the likes, so please bear with me if ya can

I have been bitten by the mod bug and after dwelling on it for almost a year, I have decided that I am going to add some extra height to my truck. I've seen both body and suspension lift kits, leveling kits and add-a leafs, and I have no idea which one is "best."
I am looking for about an additional 2-3" of lift in the truck, so I could run 33s with no problem. I will be on pavement about 70% of the time, and off road 30%. I do go offroading on the weekends and love to have fun, but it's also my DD and I want something that can hold its own off road but will still be manageable on pavement.
It's a 1992 F150 XLT 4X4 (with a slight amount of rake to it, maybe an inch or so) and the stock 15" rims and stock 235 tires (a bit too small IMHO.)

First question: Do I even need a lift/level to fit 33s, or can I run them without lifting?

If I do a 2" leveling kit in the front, will I need to do anything to the back once its all raised up? I find it kinda silly having the front of a truck higher than the rear, and that is one of my biggest reservations about going with a leveling kit. The price of it makes it an extremely attractive option, and if I can get a few inches of lift all the way around, I will most likely go with that route.

If I go with a lift kit, should I do body or suspension? I've heard that suspension lift is the way to go by far, but they are at least 3x as much as a body lift. I'm leaning towards a suspension lift if I go that route though, that much is certain.

If I go with a lift kit, would y'all recommend a 2", 2.5" or a 3"? Obviously, with any lift and 33s I won't be able to pull the truck in the garage so that is of little concern at this point.

As for tires, what kind would y'all recommend? I do mostly trail and rock time, but I do venture into the mud pits every now and then. I have my own preferences, but other opinions are more than welcome

I have learned a ton from this site, and it got me really thinking about a lift in the first place.

Thanks a bunch in advance guys, I know I got some real stupid questions!

 

Suspension lift NO BODY LIFT

a level kit should give you a plenty to clear 33's. you wont have alot of room for upward travel but will be able to turn them. guess it depends how much flexing you will be doing. either way if 33's is all it will see i say a 2" level.

Tire's your gonna hear from the Coopers to BFG (MT's not AT's what ever you do) to Kuhmo's. nut it would be one of those 3....

 

I won't be doing that much flexing with the truck. I will be doing some flexing on the trails obviously, but I doubt that I will flex out to the max. If I do a 2" level on the front, do you think that I will have to add anything to the rear, or should that be pretty well taken care of?

I've heard some pretty bad things about AT's from everybody, and this sorta confirmed it. Just out of curiosity, is there any reason why AT's suck so much?

I'd love 35's but I really don't think they are essential at this point in the game.

 

Forget about a body lift.

2-2.5" up front is generally what's called a leveling kit so your truck will sit level or real close to it.

If you want ATs then look at dick cepek fc2s. Im on my second set after getting 80k miles out the first set - no kidding.

 

Okay, so what I'm gathering here is that doing a 2-3.5" level up front and put on 33's is probably the best route?

I currently have AT's right now and I can't really complain. I've heard good things about the Dick Cepeks from just about everyone, so they do seem like a pretty solid option.

Thanks for the info guys

 

ATs are fine on most trails, and OK on rocks, but MTs will typically grip rocks better. And obviously mud tires are better in mud. ATs will be quieter on the road, and are better on slippery pavement (wet or especially packed snow or ice), so since it's your daily driver you need to decide if you want to give up more on or off road. For me, living in Minnesota where I get to go fourwheeling on pavement every winter, I'd go with ATs on a daily driver. But I'll run MTs on my Bronco that's parked winters (once I wear out the set of ATs that I already had).

 

I live in Colorado and it snows a whole lot, so our roads are kinda icy a good part of the year. A set of MT's would most certainly be nice to have, but AT's should meet my requirements at this point of the game. I'm set on a 2" level at this point and 33's, probably AT's. Any suggestions as to which brand of leveling kits is the best? I've seen some good ones from both Tuff Country and Rough Country and countless more, and they all look the same to me.

 

i had BFG AT's on my diesel for a while. they were great on the road, but sucked off road. wore like iron. i took them off at 50,000 miles and put them on the body shop truck. we got another 40,000 miles out of them before they dry rotted and started blowing out.
th BFG MT's on the 88 now are very good in the snow and sand, but noisy. they only have around 30,000 miles on them, and are around half life used.

 

33s on a 94 F150 with a bumper trim

 

I was not saying No AT's, I was just saying NO BFG AT's....




Dave that was before you became MR Mom with the excursion

 

I resemble that remark.

 

I see nothing wrong with driving the biggest SUV ever made.

 

but you dont have a excursion?

you have a point.... atleast its not a escape... lol