Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

LIFT HELP !!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2013 | 12:14 AM
  #1  
Ferdelman's Avatar
Ferdelman
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
LIFT HELP !!!

Hey everyone just wondering what lift I could run on a 97 & 98 f150.

I'm in the navy so Im in no hurry but cars and trucks are a passion of mine. I am normally a Chevy guy but these Ford trucks surprised me my mom used to have a 2003 7.3 stroker F350 and I fell in love my first ford was a 97 that my brother blew up so I put in a new 4.6 (w) about 6 months later a tire blew out I ended up on a tree and upside down in the ditch. Yet my truck was still running and still runs great! I bought a 98 f150 4.6 (T) with the 5spd and thinking about putting a lift on it not too high, but I don't wanna touch anything if ya know what I mean I wanna be able to tow but have no problems in the woods.

when I get out I wanna do first rescue.

Any Idea's???
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2013 | 10:19 PM
  #2  
fordcrzymike's Avatar
fordcrzymike
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: Tamaroa, IL
They make all sorts of lift kits for these trucks, it just depends on how high you want to go and how much money your willing to spend. A lift and tires defiantly affect towing. If you tow a lot, or tow heavier loads I would recommend not lifting the truck. A good mild lift would be around 4 inches with 33" tires. Many people run a 6" lift with 35" tires. Remember that you will have to change gears if your running bigger tires, other wise the trucks performance will really suffer. A gear swap can get really $$$$
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2013 | 10:13 AM
  #3  
MIKE 04 GT's Avatar
MIKE 04 GT
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: south carolina
the 5 speed is not a great trans to be towing with. what weights are you talking about towing? also what size tires you want? how much you want to spend? you have 3 choices really. turn up the torsion bars and run a aggressive 33" 285-75-16. ( the cheapest route). put on a 3" body lift some run a 35" with that set-up with the torsion bars cranked, still a pretty cheap route. or go with a suspension lift. lift will cost $1,300-$2,500, more expensive route, but the best route if you plan on using the truck off-road.

now you need to figure in cost for the gears. mine was $1500. but you should have the 8.8 rear axel, so yours should be a little cheaper than that. I would say $1200-$1400 For both gears.

4.10 if you want 33" tires
4.56 If you want 35" tires
4.88 if you want 37" tires

That is the most common answers for gear ratios.

Make sure you know what you want to do with the truck before you do the gears you only want to do it once.

Also always over gear some, instead of under gear

I have the 5.4 with 35" toyo MT with the Rough Country Lift with 4.56 gears I love it.

My truck is
2002 f150 supercrew
5.4 motor
auto trans
RCX lift ( $1300)
4.56 gears ($1500)
35.12.50.17 Toyo open country MT ($1500)
and 17x9 Bullet hole wheels ( $100) Craigslist

Here is my truck
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2013 | 04:56 PM
  #4  
shapleigh's Avatar
shapleigh
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
MIKE 04 GT are you running a 4" lift and what is the height to the bottom of your bumper? I have a 30" limit in my state, I'm guessing if you have a 4" you'd be somewhere between 32-34 inches. I could probably sneak 32 through the garage.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2013 | 04:05 PM
  #5  
fordcrzymike's Avatar
fordcrzymike
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: Tamaroa, IL
If its a RCX lift I believe it would be a 5" lift.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bildinfordboger
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Jul 7, 2009 02:51 PM
jleal_21
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
10
May 13, 2008 08:59 PM
godblessmud
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
16
Aug 8, 2007 02:44 PM
dnmyoda
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
Mar 29, 2004 09:28 PM
billy87
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Mar 23, 2004 02:45 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:40 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE