Trim or Lift?
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Trim or Lift?
Does a '79-'78 F250 have enough space to squeeze in 36s or 37s without a lift? Someone told me that since these high boys are 2" higher, they didn't need lifts for 35s. (That's correct, isn't it? Or are only '67-'77s high boys?) But what about something a tad bit bigger like 36s or 37s? If I can squeeze in bigger tires I would, but if it's going to rub, I don't think I will.
Otherwise, I am considering the option of trimming my fenders to fit 38s. I was told that it is much better to trim the fenders because it keeps the truck at a low center of gravity and it performs better on and off road. On the other hand, what are the advantages of a lift?
Can you guys weigh the options of either lifting the truck, or just trimming the fender? What's the best thing to do in my situation? Thanks
Otherwise, I am considering the option of trimming my fenders to fit 38s. I was told that it is much better to trim the fenders because it keeps the truck at a low center of gravity and it performs better on and off road. On the other hand, what are the advantages of a lift?
Can you guys weigh the options of either lifting the truck, or just trimming the fender? What's the best thing to do in my situation? Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 2
From: Auburn,Al
Trim or Lift?
i prefer a small lift like 4 or 6 inches, mainly beasue it looks much better to me, with a 6 inh lift you can easily fit 38's
1985 F-150/351Ho/4wd/6inch with 33's
1979 f-250 429/4spd/6inchwith 36 inch buckshot mudders
on a quiet night your can hear a chevy (lol,you can watch a dodge) rusting away
1985 F-150/351Ho/4wd/6inch with 33's
1979 f-250 429/4spd/6inchwith 36 inch buckshot mudders
on a quiet night your can hear a chevy (lol,you can watch a dodge) rusting away
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,485
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Trim or Lift?
Id like to add, if you have clean, rust free sheetmetal, dont cut it up just to fit tires. If it is rusted already, cut away! If no rust and you must cut them, find rusted metal to cut and swap on and sell your good stuff to someone who needs it, youll be $ ahead.
Nathan
Nathan
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Trim or Lift?
My truck (92 F350) is not the same year range as yours, but I recently put a 6 inch lift and 38's on it. They fit nicely and will not rub vertically, but they rub the leaf springs when I turn really sharp. It is not a problem once you get used to it. You might be able to fit them in there without a lift, but I wouldn't. Get a 6" lift and it will look much better.
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Trim or Lift?
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 07-Mar-01 AT 08:18 PM (EST)[/font][p]Hmmm, I have considered a lift because it "looks" better. However, I value functionality over looks because I will be doing lots of things with this truck. But I am just worried that a lift will affect my daily use of this truck. Since this will be my daily driver, I will be doing substantial highway driving, loading and hauling, and maybe off-roading once or twice a year. So in otherwords, I would like to keep the truck as "normal" as possible, but make it able to look and perform off-road.
Exactly how much would a 6" lift cost? I heard that it costs around $1000-$1500 to lift your truck... And where would I get it done? I have not been able to find a place where they do lifts... do I have to find a shop that specializes in off-roading stuff?
I know that a lift will make your center of gravity higher and you won't have as much flex. Also, it'd be difficult to load and haul stuff into your bed since it's up higher. Will handling and ride be affected much? What are some other drawbacks of lifting your truck, as opposed to keeping it on the ground?
Thanks
Exactly how much would a 6" lift cost? I heard that it costs around $1000-$1500 to lift your truck... And where would I get it done? I have not been able to find a place where they do lifts... do I have to find a shop that specializes in off-roading stuff?
I know that a lift will make your center of gravity higher and you won't have as much flex. Also, it'd be difficult to load and haul stuff into your bed since it's up higher. Will handling and ride be affected much? What are some other drawbacks of lifting your truck, as opposed to keeping it on the ground?
Thanks
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Trim or Lift?
I don't know where you heard about the not as much flex stuff, but it is wrong. A lift will give you more flex and better performance offroad. My truck is also much smoother riding on the road as well since I put on the lift. My truck is a daily driver and the only downside I see is loading stuff into the high bed. True my center of gravity is higher, but it has not been a problem for me. I don't try to go around corneres at 90 mph. I am also going to have to rig up a heck of a drop hitch to be able to pull my boat. A 6" lift done right with springs and not blocks will cost you around $1000. I would just install it yourself. I installed mine in my driveway, by myself without any help and with just general tools in two days. It is not that difficult. A lift will also get you more ground clearance. Granted your axles will be just as close to the ground, but you will be less prone to high center, which was a big concern for me with my crew cab.
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Trim or Lift?
What types of lift kits would you guys recommend? I took a look at some Skyjacker and Rancho lift kits, but I wasn't sure of which ones to get.
Which ones did you get and what do you guys recommend? One of these guys on the discussion board totally went off the hook about how bad one of the lift kits were, so I just wanted to get a little feedback from your guys' experiences with your lift kits.
Which ones did you get and what do you guys recommend? One of these guys on the discussion board totally went off the hook about how bad one of the lift kits were, so I just wanted to get a little feedback from your guys' experiences with your lift kits.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,759
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From: Auburn,Al
Trim or Lift?
i used a skyjacker 6 inch lift with mine, i got the kit with rear blocks because i got some custom made rear springs from national spring so i could get them the way i wanted, andyway, it took me a weekend to install my lift and everything fit and bolted up great, i had to get a drop pitman arm, draglink and extended stainless steel brakelines, my 36.2 inch buckshot mudders fit easliy under there, 38.5's would fit with no problems, anyway, i will just say that my skyjacker kit was painless, and it rides great and flexes great off road, i have no regrets
1985 F-150/351Ho/4wd/6inch with 33's
1979 f-250 429/4spd/6inchwith 36 inch buckshot mudders
on a quiet night your can hear a chevy (lol,you can watch a dodge) rusting away
1985 F-150/351Ho/4wd/6inch with 33's
1979 f-250 429/4spd/6inchwith 36 inch buckshot mudders
on a quiet night your can hear a chevy (lol,you can watch a dodge) rusting away
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Villa Ridge, MO
Trim or Lift?
Superlift has lots of great stuff for Ford. I would go with a good 4" to 6" lift with what you got. You will be taller yes but you will clear thoes big meats. If anything, the tires will affect the daily drive more than your lift will. You might be able to fit them in without a lift...but have you ever seen a fat man on a mini bike? 'Nuf said!
Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald
Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald
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Trim or Lift?
For off road and true fit, I prefer lift kits because of the ground clearance of the body. I would not cut good metal either. If you are going to use the truck for lots of hauling, cut the fenders. It is a lot easier (know from experiance) to load fire wood into a stock truck than my friends 78 with 10 inches of lift and 44s!
Vern
Vern
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