removing lift ???
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Daingerfield TX
removing lift ???
I want to remove the 3" body lift on my Bronco. Can I just remove the 3 inch spacers & reuse the rubber body mounts that are there? Also the tires are 31 x 12.50 x 15. The wheels are 10" wide. Will 31 x 10.50 x 15 tires work on these rims?
Thanks
Bob
Thanks
Bob
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
Kem is right, 10" wheel width is perfect for a 12.50" section width but is asking a 10.50" section width to "reach" to stay spanned across the wheel. That's only a half inch of additional section width to keep the bead seated against the wheel shoulder. Unless you are ridiculously meticulous about maintaining tire pressures, any drop in pressure will increase the likelihood of bead separation from the rim as well.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
A good rule of thumb when selecting tires or wheels is that the wheel width be between 2" and 2.5" narrower than the tire section width. (The example here would be 10" wide wheels for 12.5" wide tires as opposed to 8" wide wheels for 10.5" wide tires.) This keeps the bead seated without pinching the tire too tightly and leaving the sidewalls unsupported. If you look at the fine print for most tire warranties, you will find that many manufacturers won't honor their warranty if the tires are mounted on wheels that are narrower or wider than this.
Keep in mind too that if you are dropping 3" that you are mindful of any incidental changes to the truck. The first that comes to mind is shifting the radiator back up in front of the fan if it was ever lowered to stay in front of the fan when the body lift was installed. This is overlooked by some or alleviated by the use of radiator-mounted electric aftermarket fans. However, if the radiator has been lowered you will want to put it back to its OEM location. Wiring, fuel filler neck, and any other items that span between body and frame should be looked at to avoid pinching or damaging when the lift is removed.
Keep in mind too that if you are dropping 3" that you are mindful of any incidental changes to the truck. The first that comes to mind is shifting the radiator back up in front of the fan if it was ever lowered to stay in front of the fan when the body lift was installed. This is overlooked by some or alleviated by the use of radiator-mounted electric aftermarket fans. However, if the radiator has been lowered you will want to put it back to its OEM location. Wiring, fuel filler neck, and any other items that span between body and frame should be looked at to avoid pinching or damaging when the lift is removed.
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Daingerfield TX
Thanks, Greystreak. Been reading your advice about 3 years. Very good. The tire info helps a lot. Looks like stock wheels will do all I want to do. This is a Bronco I bought new in 1987, sold it in 1989, bought it last out of a pasture month. I am the first and fifth owner. I would like to get it close to origional, & remove lift. I just got through wire brushing & sand blasting the frame, new fuel pumps. I beleive the drive train is ok. Interior is trashed.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
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