well I did it, I got 42" super swampers stuffed under my truck with only 5.5" lift
sure they may rub some (mostly on the radius arms) but its way cooler than 35's
and not much taller over all

I guess i'll need to change gears and install my D60's sooner than I thought

 

how bout lets see some pics?!?! ive got a 79 4x4 150 w/3" bl and soon to be 6 or 9" skyjacker. ive been lookin at 42s or 44s

 

Just don't take it offroad with that lift/tire combo and you'll be fine. It takes a LOT of fender hacking to make the truck functional with those tires and only 5.5" lift. If you cut them make sure you get the edges rolled so you don't slice open a tire.

Post pics when you can!

 

I really would like to see those 42s, and I would like to see them on a F-100 with only 5.5" of lift too.
What are your plans to clear them(really)? Body lift and fender trimming?

 

I Know this thing is really stuffing them. They will rub if I flex even a little
I hate bushwackers
I am not afraid of cutting and rolling the fenders, and I dont want to add much more lift
I think the D60 swap in front is wider so it should get the tires off the radius arms(offset rims too)
clearance in the rear wont be a problem since I'm making a tubing stepside of sorts soon
these 42's are borrowed anyway I'm just using them to help me make the decision on tire size so far nothing is permanent but it does look good
I took pics when i came home but it's dark and raining so they kinda suck
besides Ive never posted pics so let me figure that out and I'll post them soon
thanks

 

I have been toying with the idea of 42s down the road, but like you, I don't want a huge lift. I measured when I put on a set of borrowed 40s, and if I trimmed back 5" it looks like it would work.

 

I know you said you hate Bushwackers but I've got to tell you that IF you have low backspacing on those 42's to stick them out a bit more the Bushwacker flares would look killer with them, plus the backspacing will put them out far enough so they wouldn't rub your radius arms. The reason that those flares often look goofy is because they stick way out and people use tires that don't fill them out.

 

check out my gallery...im running 44's with 6 inches and a good bit of fender and a little grill trimming, i had to move the axle foward to keep the tires from rubbing the body mounts, but now its perfect...the suspension bottoms out just before the tires hit the fenders, and i can turn the wheels lock to lock at full stuff no problem...so it cna be done

 

I have always liked the way yours is setup. The thing about 42s is that they are skinnier than 44s, so there may be less issues with rubbing on stuff.