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I have a 1989 Ford 250. Right now I have size 235/85/16 tires. I want to get larger tires, perhaps 285/70/17, but I'm not sure. I'm assuming, in order to do this, I would need new wheels and rims. Can anyone give me an estimate of how much that would cost?
Another thing I would like to do is raise it. Any opinions on how I should go about doing that? Also, how much would that cost? And how difficult would that be to do myself, if possible, without a shop.
One more thing, which is most likely out of my league, how much would it cost to add whatever is required to alter a 2wd into a 4wd?
They way things are sounding, it looks like I just need a different truck. By the way, all of this is for living in the mountains, not just to be cool.
I would go with a 285/75R16 on a 16x8 wheel. You can find BFG A/T's for around 165 apiece. The wheels are up to you. They can be anywhere from $100-$300 depending on how fancy you wanted to get.
This can be fit with a 2 inch leveling kitfor under $500 and should bolt on. It shouldn't take more than a weekend.
2wd to 4wd would cost about $10,000 and some experience.
Sorry, but I recommend going with a 4x4. Especially if you live in the mountains. Then the 285's might fit stock on the "new" 17in rims. Expect to pay between $1200-$1800+ for the new tire/rim setup. As far as lifts, that would depend on the 4x4 you get...
Not worth it. Just buy a 4x4. A 4x4 will have much more ground/body clearance for big tires than a 2x4.
A cheap alternative would be a soft locker ($300) for the 2x4. If you are driving over trees or along a dirt road, a 2x4 is fine, especially with a locker. I have had a lot of fun in 2x4s, work and play.
Getting stuck in mud or snow in the mountains is no fun, you really need a 4x4. I live in GA and sometimes I need 4x4 just to back out of my driveway the way the clay fills up the AT tread on the tires.
I think he is talking of a limited slip or a posi-locker. I would be careful with a full locker in the snow/ice. You could get a good posi or a selectable locker whick lets you switch from ull lock to limitrd slip at the touch of a button. But these will cost more than a lift for your truck.