Need expert opinion
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New User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Surrey Canada
Need expert opinion
Hi
I got a 96 F150, 4.9L, 4X4, 5spd I am looking to raise my truck as much as possible for as little as possible ($). Im a student right now so I neewd to keep the cost down. I use the truck mostly on street, but I also go play in the mud every other weekend. Right now Im runnig 33" 9.5 All Terains. I want to put 36" x 12.5 swamppwers on it. My question is what i need to do to the truck to lift it high enough to clear the wheel wells. I am thinking about a 3" body lift kit. what do you guys think?. And what compay should I look for? I also noticed that some kits are not compatible with the 6cylinder trucks. How hard is it to install the body lift? I have alot of tools, and have some mechanical experiance.
Thanks for any responses in advance.
Right now i have everything stock, do i need to change the rear diff to heavier duty or is it fine with the 3" body lift?.. Will the kit have everything I need (ie bumper brackets, extension for the transfer case lever, extension for shifter, do i need to do anything to the steering column?)
I got a 96 F150, 4.9L, 4X4, 5spd I am looking to raise my truck as much as possible for as little as possible ($). Im a student right now so I neewd to keep the cost down. I use the truck mostly on street, but I also go play in the mud every other weekend. Right now Im runnig 33" 9.5 All Terains. I want to put 36" x 12.5 swamppwers on it. My question is what i need to do to the truck to lift it high enough to clear the wheel wells. I am thinking about a 3" body lift kit. what do you guys think?. And what compay should I look for? I also noticed that some kits are not compatible with the 6cylinder trucks. How hard is it to install the body lift? I have alot of tools, and have some mechanical experiance.
Thanks for any responses in advance.
Right now i have everything stock, do i need to change the rear diff to heavier duty or is it fine with the 3" body lift?.. Will the kit have everything I need (ie bumper brackets, extension for the transfer case lever, extension for shifter, do i need to do anything to the steering column?)
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: Glendale USA
Need expert opinion
Well
You can go with a 3" body lift BUT you will not fit the 36's underneath it for the body lift go with a performance accessiores body lift they are easy to install and they come with pretty much all the hardware you need along with easy to follow instructions.
As for the differentials YES you will need to change gears and this is not something you will beable to do yourself there are alot of things that go into account it is not just an easy swap and away you go alot of people do that and it is WRONG you need to worry about gear lash and preload it gets pretty scientific. And on the other note your stock axles might not be able to handle the 36's and you will be breaking stuff once you do go off-road Now I know alot of people will say different because we all know the guy who is running 44's on his Dana 44 axle and doesn't break anything but then there is the guy running 33's on his Dana 44 and everytime he looks at his truck something is breaking. Just remember when you go to play in the mud your tires can gain as much as 100lbs per tire with just mud not including the wieght of the vehicle.
If you want I would go with 32x12.5x15 or 33x12.5x15 tires until you have the money to do the lift right and get everything changed over if you go with 32's you might get away without changing the gear ratios in the differentials
You can go with a 3" body lift BUT you will not fit the 36's underneath it for the body lift go with a performance accessiores body lift they are easy to install and they come with pretty much all the hardware you need along with easy to follow instructions.
As for the differentials YES you will need to change gears and this is not something you will beable to do yourself there are alot of things that go into account it is not just an easy swap and away you go alot of people do that and it is WRONG you need to worry about gear lash and preload it gets pretty scientific. And on the other note your stock axles might not be able to handle the 36's and you will be breaking stuff once you do go off-road Now I know alot of people will say different because we all know the guy who is running 44's on his Dana 44 axle and doesn't break anything but then there is the guy running 33's on his Dana 44 and everytime he looks at his truck something is breaking. Just remember when you go to play in the mud your tires can gain as much as 100lbs per tire with just mud not including the wieght of the vehicle.
If you want I would go with 32x12.5x15 or 33x12.5x15 tires until you have the money to do the lift right and get everything changed over if you go with 32's you might get away without changing the gear ratios in the differentials
