Hey guys,

As you can tell by the name, I have now converted to the dark side! hahaha. I used to be a Honda tuner head, but now have found a new love and really starting to appreciate raw power of the glorious V8! Since I'm new to this, i would like anyone and everyone to throw in suggestions and share your knowledge. So here it is...

I have a 1990 5.0L F250 4x4 (motor out of a 92 stang, 92xxxxkm) duno if that's any good in terms of what it's sitting in, but it ****in pulls! This is my project truck that i plan by next summer to have looking somewhat decent. Right now I'm looking to get rollin!

My truck is currently on 31"x10.5" yokohama geolander a/t on a 16" wheel (look like cookie cutters!) i would like to go alittle more aggresive and wider like a 12-13" and perhaps 32-33's any suggestions on what to get? (affordable) Will i have to go with a higher gear ratio?

I would like to lift it 3-4" but not sure if I should go body or suspension? At the moment I'm looking for a temporary AFFORDABLE NOT CHEAP set up. Until I come up with money in the future to splurge. Ideas??

But first.....i need to figure out if it already has a little lift to it or if it's just stock 4x4 ride height. leafs front and rear. It looks pretty high!....then again...it ain't a honda. hahahaha thanks guys yout input is appreciated.

 

Howdy......

 

Pictures? I like pictures...

Anyways, you can get somewhat affordable body and suspension lifts from Rough Country. Cheapest I've found and they're decent. Had a 3" body and 3" suspension lift on an 86 FSB. Looked badass on 36 swampers. Body lifts usually cost under a bill, afterall, they are just blocks and bolts. I know that Rough Country suspension lift is between $500-600, whereas I've been seeing others for $2000 and up. You can get 33's without a lift and it still looks burly as all hell.

I'd save some cash up and pull that 302 and upgrade a 351W. If you want a lift and absolutely MUST have it, get a suspension lift. Body lifts don't do anything unless you have the tires to match. Just for clearence and apperance.

edit:

Is it a shortbed or longbed? Doesn't make a difference I just prefer the shortbeds. I've a 90 F150 with the Windsor in it. LOVE this truck. Are you familiar with 4x4? If not, I'd go find some dirt and practice. You won't ever buy a Honda again. These trucks are fun to take sideways on dirt roads.

 

Awesome! thanks for the input bro. 3 n 3 is rowdy s***! Ill have to look into that. 5-6bills is the range i wanted to spend for something decent. I don't plan on rock crawling or anything, just enough to raise some hell on mud. Go camping where the hondas couldn't take me. Swapping out for a 351 is what I would like to do in the future, but this motor is definately capable for now until I blow it up! Unfortunately I don't have 4x4 experience, but that's why I've made this switch over. It's definately a different feel, look and the atmoshpere is incredible. You get lots of credit and support from ppl, whereas with the import scene, guys just can never put down drinkin the HATEorade!

how wide of a tire can I go before I start to worry about rubbing?

Oh ya, it's a long box.

 

I know on my buddies F250 before he totalled it he had 33's that were, I believe, 12.5 wide and there was slight rubbing but nothing too major. 10.5 shouldn't rub. But honestly I can't tell you for sure.

Since you don't have any wheelin experience, I'd recommend taking it REAL slow in the beginning. Ford's are tough as nails but they're not indestructable. Things do break. Find some nice hills or old country roads. Play with your gears, get a good feel for your truck before you do anything too rash.

I was hotheaded with my first 4x4 and I ended up doing a 180 degree pivot on one tire in a 4-foot deep ditch, resulting in some serious bending. It ran with the entire passenger side bent a good inch inward for almost two years. Tire stayed on there but the alignment was seriously messed up. If I actually took it in to get it fixed it would have cost me over $1200.

I ran with a 302 in my Bronco. It did the trick but I was never satisfied until I got my Windsor. Sure it'll get you where you need to go (even 20 degrees above top dead center for over two years!) but in the end, after you drive a Windsor or greater motor, you'll want more and more and more.

Wow, now I'm rambling. Something I've always wanted to do to my wheelin rig is install dual snorkles. Put that baby under water and still drive out. Take some time and browse the forum. I'm fairly new here, too, but already, without having to ask a single question, I've resolved several issues with my own truck.