Did a search, still confused. Read the mags., more confused, so here goes........

I have a f-150 99' supercab flareside with 4.6, auto. trans with overdrive, 3.55 rearend (I do not know if it has limited slip) and P 265/75/16's.

I intend to put a 3/4 drop kit on it. I intend to use front 3 inch drop coil springs and rear 4 inch drop leaf springs. I have three questions I need to know:

1. For lack of fund reasons, I am going to use the same 16 inch rims. What 16 inch tire size is the best for the 3/4 drop taking into consideration that I want the stiffest sidewall I can find, but does not look too small? I thought about LT E 235/70/16 or 245/70/16 or some type of RV or heavy truck tire that has a stronger sidewall. I need the firmness of a lowprofile for cornering and cross winds but, I know I can not go with a low profile on a 16 inch rim or my truck will look really funny with too large of a gap between the tire and fender well? Having said all that, what size/type do I need?

2. Do I need to install some type of "camber" kit? Is it really needed?

3. I heard that rear drop leaf springs are better for handling and easier to install , rather than shackles and hangers, is this true?

Thanks for any comments.

 

1. It does not matter how tall of a tire you go with it still will have a gape in the wheel well and the tire. I would go with a 265/275 60/16 or maybe a little taller.
2. No camber kit is required. Only if yo ugo really low like 4-6 or lower.
3. Leaf springs are easy but shackle and hanger will require some work or at least the hangers will since that are rivited on and will have to cut off. (not fun)

 

98STXV8,

Thanks for the info!

Everyone keeps telling me to go with a 60 series tire. I guess it provides a stiff side wall?

 

I think any thing higher than 60 will give you alot of flex in the side wall. I have 275/45/20 on the new Good Year GT II they have no flex at all only thing that rolls when I take a turn is me damn factory seat does not hold me in place.

 

So, the middle number is the key to a stiffer side wall. The lower the number (60, 50, 55, 40, 45 series,) the better?

Thanks. I thought I was going to have to get some RV tires to get a stiff side wall!!!!!ha!

 

Yes the first number is tire width the second is tire hieght and last is tire diameter. Lower the middle number the lower profile tire you will have hence the name "low profile tires"

 

All this time, I thought the first set of numbers determined the height of the tire. I father has a 99 F-150 as well. His truck, new from the factory came with 235/70/16's and mine came used, with new 265/75/16's. His tires are more than several inches shorter than mine. I thought it was because his tires are 235's and mine are 265's.

Anyway, this morning I had to borrow his truck to drive to work. My truck is getting the new tailgate and painted bumpers, and lenscovers put on today. yaaaah!

I had not driven his 99' single cab, long bed with the 235/70/16's since I got my truck back in December. Since that time, I have put front and rear hellwig anti-swaybars in an attempt to reduce body roll in the corners and crosswinds. It helped. But, this morning when I drove my fathers truck, I was amazed!

His truck with out the upgraded front swaybar and with no rear swaybar, drives and handles a lot better than mine! His steering feels better than mine, and in cross winds, it rolls very little as compared to mine.

MitchF150 had said previously that I was getting too much sidewall flex with my taller tire......he was right on target with that conclusion!!

I guess I need to go get some shorter tires before I lower it.