Hi: I have a 1997 F150 Flareside 4x4 and I want to upgrade the tires and rims. What's the biggest (and badest) I can fit without a lift kit? I don't want them to be too noisey on the street, yet still look mean! Thanks.

 

I want to lift my 1997 F150 say 2" to 4" so I can fit bigger tires. I can't afford to spend too much nor have the skills for a big modification. Do I lift the body or go for a suspension lift? What are the merits of either please? Any recomendations for a simple solution??

 

Will you be offroading, or going where a modifed suspension would benefit you? If so, go suspension lift. If just going for appearance and to add some bigger tires, go body lift. Obviously body lift is much easier on the checkbook, and is also easier to install, but like I said, if you will be mudding and offroading, go suspension.


Just my opinion.

-Matt

 

welcome to the site!

you can fit 33's without a lift, and 35's with a body lift.

i would go with a body lift since your low on funds. they cost less than 300 bucks and only take a weekend to put on.

 

yea a body lift is the way to go for not spending alot of money, also that will save you some money fro the tires you wanna get. And any all terrain tire would work for you since you dont want alot of noise coming from the tires, BFG or nitto T/A will work just fine and they give you a good look to your truck as well.

And welcome to the site man. Post pics of your truck when you can too

 

i am running 35/12/17 km2s with no lift at all

 

You can fit 35's without a lift, just crank the T-bars. Tires will look stuffed though.....

A body lift is pretty cheap (~$200) and would allow for easier tire fitment.

 

Got 33's on a 10 inch wide wheel on my truck and all I did was crank the torsion bars

 

Thanks to all for the support and help. If I do a 2" body lift (only off-roading will be in sand), do I also need to buy a leveling kit?

 

First, do not do a 2 inch body lift. Go with the 3 inch kit just because everything lines up better. You do not need a leveling kit. Your front ride height is adjustable by the amount of preload on your torsion bars. I'd crank them up enough to make your truck sit level.
As for tires, I'd go with a 10 inch wide wheel (16' or 18's would be my preference) with 4.5 inches of backspacing. A 33x12.50 will look good with or without a body lift. You will need a body lift to fit a 35x12.50 on a 10 inch wide wheel.
If you want some ideas on how all this will look, check out my gallary.

 

No just crank the T-bars to make it level, you might sit a tad bit lower but you would really have to be looking for it to notice it. You should be fine.

 

body lifts are expensive as well
cheapest i could find in all of california is 900 dollars for install and 180 for the body lift itself

might as well save 200 more and just buy the lift

 

Yeah if you are really idiotic enough to pay someone to install a body lift.

Op: It's very easy to do. You and a few buddies could do one in a weekend no problems. I've done 4 on our body style f150's so if you need advice let me know. Is check out Craigslist for good deals on used tires till you can afford a new set.

 

Body lifts are a great value if you can install it yourself.

 

Evening,
First time post. Have an 04' (05' Body style) F-150 Crew. Have P305/35R24 Tires with 24 inch rims x 12.5 - 6 lug. Looking to go in a entirely different direction with wheels and tires. What are the largest tires I can fit without any kind of lift? I have my eye on a set of 33x12.5x15....6x5.5 BFG TA KO. Would these work?

Thanks.