So I was thinking about leveling my truck and getting some 31 inch mud terrains or something like that. How would the bigger tires effect my engine and/or tranny? Gearing? My truck is bone stock. I know somebody who owns a body shop who has connections and said he could get me stuff for cheap. I was looking to get a K&N intake system and ask him what I could do for some cheap hp upgrades. I would like a V8 out of a scrap yard but don't have that kind of money.

 

first off avoid the intake. it can make your truck run lean and hurt the motor.
second is this your 07 f150? because your stock tire size should be around 31 inch.
third your rear end (3.55 etc) will determine a lot of this and it can be found on your sticker on the inside of your door.

i would say youd be just fine

 

Maybe not an intake system but a filter. I get a little carried away sometimes. It is my truck. I'm not sure of the tire size. I don't understand the numbers when it comes to gearing ratios. How do you get them? I'm new to cars and trucks and am looking to learn. The guy I mentioned earlier invited me to work on some cars in his shop which is something I've been wanting to do.

 

Like you said, 3.55 gears.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gear_ratio

that is a good link to check out. look down at the bottom under automotive applications. basically it is how many revolutions of the motor compared to revolutions of the tires. so a 3.55 rear end is a ratio which means the motor turns 3.55 times to turn the rear wheels. a 3.73 ratio means the motor turns 3.73 times to turn the wheels. higher ratios like the 3.73 are better for towing and get up and go. lower ratios like 3.55 are better for cruising and lower rpms. guys put 31s on a v6 with 3.55 gears all day long. you may see a slight drop in mpgs due to the weight though.

 

I figured the drop in mpg. So how do you think my truck would perform off road? Mines 2wd but I hear a lot of people claiming that their 2wd's do real well. I don't plan on doing anything insane when it comes to off roading.

 

depends on a lot, but a good limited slip differential would help a lot if your truck doesnt already have one

 

I've already looked into those. Hopefully I can get one from a junkyard or get one from him^. I'll ask. I would like one. How would that effect my towing? The extent of my towing is a 17 foot 1700-1900 lb. boat.

 

A limited slip, or or a locking Differential. If you don't have either one of them and you are going to add one, I would add a locker. When they lock, both back wheels pull. On a limited slip, differential, there a clutch pack of sorts that presses against the inside of the diff and trys to make both wheels pull, however they wear out over time, and they are not a positive lock like a locker is. If you have one tire on snow or mud and one on dry pavement, and you hit the gas, might just smoke that LS. A good detroit locker will get you out of those situations.
A Locker will also help you when you launch your boat as well. On the wet concrete, it is better to have two wheels pulling than one or 1.5.

 

Stock, your V6 will pull that boat like a champ. I cannot speak for the mods you are planning, however.

 

I'm not to worried about the boat now. Nothing major. I was thinking a locking differential. I've looked at some videos and they really do make a difference. I don't have a ton of money to spend so we'll have to wait and see as to what I do. I was thinking about a tune though. I'm not sure. Just optimistic.