Is it a good idea?
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From: Canada
Is it a good idea?
Hey all! Let me just give a little background about my truck. It's an 88 F-150 XL Reg Cab, Long Box, with a 302. I've got a 3 inch suspension lift, w/ 2" blocks, and an added leaf. I also have a 3" body lift. I have 35x12.5 R15 BFG Mud Kings, but I want to put 42x15 r15 Interco Super Swamper TSL Tires. Now I was thinking about doing a shackle reversal in the rear to get the added lift, but I am not sure if it would put too much stress on the blocks. Any ideas? I can do my own fabrication so any metal work isn't a problem.
Thanks a lot!
Gig
Thanks a lot!
Gig
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: on da beach
To run 42 inch tires with any reliability you are going to have to do much, much more than a reverse shackle.
It would not be worth it, you will end up doing more work anyway. I would start from scratch and install a bigger lift. regear. better brakes. make sure your tranny is up to the task. check drivelines. upgrade/repair steering. the regular stuff associated with BIG tires.
I would make/design a safe truck before I consider anything drastic.JMHO.
Your the one drivning the truck.
It would not be worth it, you will end up doing more work anyway. I would start from scratch and install a bigger lift. regear. better brakes. make sure your tranny is up to the task. check drivelines. upgrade/repair steering. the regular stuff associated with BIG tires.
I would make/design a safe truck before I consider anything drastic.JMHO.
Your the one drivning the truck.
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New User
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From: Canada
hey, thx for replying. I know I have to update everything to withstand the larger tires. I already have the brakes, haven't figured out yet if I am going to go with a hydraulic steering system though, probably should. And I think the tranny will take it, 3-spd w/o overdrive. Heard they were tough enough to tackle almost anything(not sure if it's true though, I haven't had any problems with it, and I've put it through quite a bit...). I just wasn't sure if it was a good idea to do the reversal. And you have answered my question. lol. Trust me, I do want a safe truck. Not only do I take it off-road, it is also a daily driver. BTW, does anyone have any suggestions for an optimum gear ratio. Preferably in between power and gas mileage
Thanks a lot!
Gig
Thanks a lot!
Gig
Last edited by FordMudder302; Jul 4, 2007 at 07:23 PM.
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From: Florida
Since you're gonna go ahead and lift it a ton more than you have already, I'd ditch the blocks entirely fit some re-arched springs on it with ladder bars front/rear.I'm not a fan of the blocks anyways but 35 inch tires period is enough stress on em.42's?I'd go with around 4.56 gears front n rear.The 3 spd w/ODis a pretty damn good tranny IMO.I had one in a 81 f-100 that I beat the living crap out of and did stuff mot guys would only do in BAJA and never had any probs out of it.....might need a little steeper gear to go with that tranny though...you'd probably be better off swapping it for a 5spd manual just to have the shorter gears in it.And I know you ain't runnin an 8.8 rear and Dana TTB front.Got alotta things to consider before jumpin into that quarry.Awful lotta truck around here that look good but ain't built right.
