Hey all,

Ok....I am finally going to have to $ to get my truck lookin the way I want it here is what I have planed:

1) 6 inch Skyjacker lift
2) Going to 17 inch wheels
3) Running 37 inch BFG AT's

I just wanted to know if anyone could tell me anything I should know before I do all this. Like do i have to change my gears...if so what should i have them changed to, are there any hidden costs in doing all this. If anyone could help me out I would really be thankful. Thank for the help everyone!

Cowboy

 

what are you going for? show truck? off-roader? weekend warrior? daily driver? everything else depends on that!
-jason-

 

Yes you will have to change your gears. Off the top of my head I would say 4.56 or lower. Go to www.ring-pinion.com or www.precisiongear.com to use thier rpm/gear ratio/tire size calculators and charts to find a ratio that will work for you using your current tire size and gear ratio for reference. I would err on the side of lower ratio (numerically higher) because you have the small engine and will be looking for more torque to get those big tires moving. Plan on that costing about $600 per axle. While you're in there you may want to put in some kind of traction adding differential in the rear. Plan on that costing $200-600 depending on which one you choose.

You will need an alignment when you are done with the lift.

That's alot of tire for a half ton truck's drivetrain, steering and brakes. Plan on going through ball joints and brake pads/shoes faster than normal. Also plan on steering box and tie rod ends wearing out faster than normal as well as driveshaft u-joints because of the increased driveshaft angle. You will want a steering stabilizer setup to control those big tires, if it doesn't come with the lift kit. Personally, I would limit the tire size to 33" and go with a shorter lift as this will put less stress on the truck and last longer.

You will also need rear mud flaps so you dont get pulled over by the police and may want to get some kind of fender flares as well if you like your paint. Some cab steps would be convenient too and your girlfriend would appreciate it im sure and maybe even some kind of grab bar on her side of the truck. Of course a front brush gaurd or pre-runner bumper and a pair of off-road lights would look cool too.

You may also want to change to manual front locking hubs down the road sometime to avoid problems with the auto hubs if that's what your truck has.

Im sure someone else will come up with things that I missed, but that should get you thinking for a while.

 

fishmanndotcom, I am going to be using it as a daily driver/weekend off roading. I want my truck to look big and mean. (alot like your truck...nice rig)

SoCal, I understand what you mean by toning it down for the sake of the truck. What do you think is the biggest I "should" go as far as tire size and lift size.

Thanks for all the help guys.

- - Cowboy

 

if it's for show....stick with stock gears until later. I wouldn't go above 35's...you may not even need the lift although if you do decide to lift it go with a 6" b/c there is so lil difference b/t 4 and 6 that it is worth the extra $100 or so for 2 more inches! although 37's would look good with a 6"!

Remember when you buy a lift you will need the system and then you gotta get brake lines (w/6" lift), shocks, and maybe a steering stabilizer!

goodluck and thanx for the compliment

-jason-

 

Cowboy, If it were me, I would stick to 33's on 15x10's. 33 is a good size tire for most offroading, is still a full-width (12.50) tread and still looks good on the truck without going overboard on diameter and wieght. You can still get into the garage and under drive thru overhangs in most cases and when it comes time to replace tires, they are cheaper and easier to find than the bigger ones. Also, if you ever want to load something heavy into the back of your truck, you don't have to lift it so high to get it in there .

You may only need as little as 2" lift to run 33's on that truck. I fit them on mine with no lift at all and should be able to go to 35's before needing a lift. Granted, mine is a one ton, which rides a little higher than half tons. You may be able to save some money by going this route and still have a sharp lookin truck that can go down just about any trail you like, with the right gears and diffs.

 

I would stick w/ a 33/12.50 or a 305/70 series tire. As a daily driver 37's will be horrible. Your truck will be so slow and more of a gas pig than it is now. If you go 33's at most you would need a 4" lift, if that at all. Most lift manufaturers will say for 35's you need at least a 6" and for 33's a 4". Just pick a 10" wheel and you should have a good contact patch. If you have your heart set on 37's, just use them offroading and get a better daily driver type tire. Also a 6" lift on an F series, at least here in MA will prevent you from most drive thru places, parking garages and some carwashes.

 

heres the deal, you have an F150, the 8.8 rear end is onyl rated for a 35" tire at most. especially if you are going to be putting through its paces on the weekends, stuff WILL break if you go bigger, stuff will break with a 35 even. fishy truck is 3/4 ton, correct me if im wrong. its running a D60 front and a sterling rear. your axles will never handle anything near what that will. the 6 would be nice, go with 35, take a look at mustangs truck, hes got the 6" with 35s. look pretty good. go witht eh 15x10, if you have an auto tranny youll want 4.56 gears, and if you have the manual go with the 4.10, this is what ive been told, that is if you go with 35s, which you really should, 37 are just too big for a otherwise stock F150. that should be a pretty good start for you.

Idiomaticman

 

Idiomaticman,

You read my mind.....I decided to go with the Skyjacker 6 inch lift, 35 inch BFG AT's, 4.56 front and rear gears. Thanks for all the help everyone, I will be sure to post some pics when I get out of training.

- - Cowboy

 

How are those 4.6's, seems to me they lack cubic inches for offroading, I always felt you would need at least a 351 for a decent offroader.

 

thanx Idio, lol, it is registered as a 3/4 ton but with the running gear it is technically a 1 ton. 4.10's are a waste. I wouldn't spend the money. Go with 4.56's or even 4.88's! And yes 35's should be the max tire size for a F150

lol that's funny! My dad and I both wheel 302's in our bronco's! It has almost nothing to do with cubic inches, more about running gear! I know of Toy's running 44's and 4 cylinders!

-jason-

 

Ya, but for some reason the toy 8" is freaking indesrtuctable. ive seen it too, looks like a toothpick between those huge tires.

Idiomaticman

 

Sure you can run a 4cyl with 44's, ROCKCRAWLING, in 1st 4low. Try a mud drag with 44's and a 4cyl. Gotta have 460 to power through that gumbo at over 40mph. I'm not saying that your stupid for mudding with anything smaller then a 351, (I have a 300 myself) w/ more cubic inch you usually have more torque and horsepower avalible and can still use it to drive everyday so you're not running 4000rpms going down the highway b/c you had to gear up. My 6 is great mudding in 2nd gear, but in 3rd it bogs down cause it lacks the high-end to keep those tires spinning.

 

I hear you redneck, although i have 35s and 3.55, so i usually pull a 3 or 2 gear 4Lo run when i comes to mud...

hey, you ever get those pics of your truck everyone wants to see??

Idiomaticman

 

Dang you remembered, I'm getting a quote on bodywork and a paint job tomorrow and if I get it painted you're have to wait, otherwise I'll get ya some next time I go to Lincoln to Wal Mart, cause I don't have a digital cam. I'm thinking charcoal gray, maybe silver for a color, right now it's gray, rusty, green bondo and light gray primer (not the best pic.), I wanted black, but you know how black shows everything, I'm gonna have to make up my mind before tomorrow.

I see you have the Mazda tranny behind your six, I'm running the T-18 so I could probably make 1st, but I only have 3.08's so maybe not, depends on the mud.