3 inch lift question

robertS. · #1 05-05-2006, 12:00 PM

Ok guys, asked a couple of questions a week ago and your answers were helpful, so heres another for ya.
Not sure, but I thought that i read somewhere on one of these posts that you could run 35 inch tires w/ a leveling kit (I have a 2006 f150 4x4). I was looking at a 6 inch suspension lift, but now decided that since I have to buy new wheels too, the big lift is too much $ for me right now, so I was looking at the skyjacker 3 inch lift but they say you can only run 33 inch tires with tht kit on my truck. You'll have to forgive me but I'm a novice here. Either you cannot run 35s with the leveling kit, and I am just mistaken in thinking that I read that, or you can run tires bigger than 33s with the skyjacker 3 inch lift.
MY stock truck came with 30 inch tires, I don't see why I couldn't go 35 inches (2 1/2 inches higher into the wheel well than with my stock tires) if I add the 3 inch lift (in my mind that give 1/2 inch xtra clearence beyond what I already have with the stock set up, the only thing I don't know about is the clearence with the sides of the fender wells.
Hopefully someone can clear this up for me, and if it ends up that 35s will work with the 3 inch kit, could someone recommend so tire/wheel size combinations that would work for this setup- I know that this depends on something referred to as backspacing, but I have yet to have someone explain to me exactly what that is.

A mouth full but I hope y'all can help
Thanks, Robert

se12t · #2 05-05-2006, 12:36 PM

on 05, a 3" would be good enough to fit 35" since you can already fit 315 on a stock 03 4*4 (rubbing possible).

wandell · #3 05-05-2006, 04:37 PM

What you can fit depends on the wheel you use as much as the tire size. Wheel width and backspacing is just as important to fitment as tire size. Basically, you can fit a 35x12.50 tire by using the OEM 7.5 inch wheels (with 5.5 inches of backspacing) and a 2.5 inch leveling kit. Going to a wider aftermarket wheel with less backspacing changes everything. If you want aftermarket wheels, I'd stick with a 33 inch tire. A 325/60-18 (33x13.00) tire on an 18x9 inch wheel (with 5 or 5.5 inches of backspacing) looks great on a 4x4 with a leveling kit.

robertS. · #4 05-05-2006, 05:15 PM

What exactly is backspacing, and why would factory wheels fit but not aftermarket (I'm not retarded

, I'm just a beginner).
Thanks, Robert

se12t · #5 05-05-2006, 06:15 PM

the space between the center of the rim and the back of the rim
--------
--------
.
. <---> backspacing
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--------

hopefully, you understand the figure

wandell · #6 05-06-2006, 09:56 AM

Right. Backspacing is the distance from where the wheel mounts to the hub to the rear edge of the wheel. A lot of aftermarket wheels are wider and have different backspacing. This affects how much the wheel/tire sticks out or tucks in which affects how the tire fits. For instance, when I purchased my truck I had a set of 285/75-16's installed using the OEM 16x7 inch wheels with 4.5 inches of backspacing. This combo was not even close to touching anything. I later mounted them on a set of 16x10 wheels with 4.5 inches of backspacing. Now the same tires rubbed the front bumper's lower plastic valance and I had to trim about 1/2 inch of plastic off for clearance. If those 16x10's had any less backspacing they never would have worked.
Here's a pic of how to measure backspacing.

wandell · #7 05-06-2006, 10:00 AM

robertS. · #8 05-06-2006, 05:42 PM

O.K, so does more backspacing or less backspacing reduce the clearance?
Also, could you possibly suggest a combination of lift accessories that would give me clearence for aftermarket wheels and 35 inch tires. Here is the dilema, the full blown 6 inch suspension lift and new tires together is affordable, but I am told I would have to buy new wheels too (cannot use factory 20 inch), and the combination of lift, wheels, and tires, is an unjustifyable $ ammount to me. I can afford, however, new wheels and tires, with a cheaper lift (the 3 inch skyjacker I had mentioned was like $600, plus a cheaper installation as well I am sure, which is a far cry from the $2k+ for the installed fabtec 6 inch) if the 3 inch lift won't give me the clearence, is there some other way of affordable way of combining suspension lift components which will give me the clearence for 35s? And, if there is a viable way of doing this, is this too stressfull on the stock steering and drivetrain components ( I would really like to save that xtra grand, but not if it means ruining my truck).
Thanks for the help, just trying to get my situation straigtened out, and come up with the best option.
Robert

wandell · #9 05-07-2006, 09:47 AM

Backspacing is a compromise. Too little and the tires stick out and rub the front bumper and outer edge of the wheelwells. Too much and the tires rub the inside of the wheelwells and the antisway bar and frame. I know what you mean about cost. Very few of us have an unlimited budget so we have to do things in stages. You have a good idea about going with the lift, 35 inch tires and the OEM wheels. Some kits let you use the OEM wheels, some don't. What kit are you looking at? I'd suggest the Fabtech, RCD or Rancho as my first choices, but the other kits are good too. The bottom line is if you want a 6 inch lift, 35 inch tires and aftermarket wheels, that is what you are probably gonna wind up with. Just don't do like some people and waste money buying a smaller lift and 33's only to wind up trying to sell them later and get another lift and 35's.

robertS. · #10 05-08-2006, 05:52 PM

It looks like a cheaper option may be to go with a leveling kit and a 3 inch body lift. I have some concerns with the body kit, though, and I was wondering if someone could anwer these questions.
Load capacity of the bed- I have found only limited information concerning this, but it seemed to suggest that bed load capacity is still %100 with a body lift, can anyone confirm this?
Bumpers-I see that bumper relocation brackets are necessary, but that substantial bumper strength is lost, does anyone know of and bumper relocation brackets that are engineered to retain bumper strength?
Connections, lines, and wiring-With a 3 inch body lift, do any problems arise with stock steering components, wiring length, parking brake cable, gas filler tube, or any other such items which I haven't thought of, that may become problematic.
IF there are no serious issues here, then a leveling kit and 3 inch body lift may be a very good option for me, but if there are issues, hopefully someone could point them out for me please.
BTW-I have a 2006 f150 4x4
THANKS,
Robert

wandell · #11 05-09-2006, 09:10 AM

Bed capacity is not affected by a body lift. The bumper relocation brackets do cause some loss of strength, and they should no longer be used for towing. If you don't have a receiver hitch, you will need to buy one. Any issues with steering or lenght of wiring will be addressed by the kit. The Performance Accessories kits are very well designed.