i can't decide what i want to do to my truck...was hoping for some input here. first, here's what i have...

1997 F150 XL SuperCab shortbox
2wd/4.6 2V/5-speed, 3.08 open rear end


i have two ideas of what i'd like to do to it...both ideas involve repainting and re-doing the interior so i'm not mentioning that...

idea #1:
lift it with Fabtech's 7.5" lift kit, run around a 35" tire, regear to 4.56 or 4.88s, lock the rear end, winch bumper on the front with winch, auxillary lighting all over truck, mild engine modifications...basically treat it as if it's a 4wd...maybe eventually do a SAS and make it a 4wd...

idea #2:
lower it to just a hair lower than a stock Lightning, regear to around 4.10, maybe 4.56, lock the rear end, run possibly a stock L wheel or some nice 18's with a wide tire to make it handle, modify the suspension to help firm it up-handling being a number one priority, more extensive engine modifications...basically make it a decently quick sport truck...

so...ideas? what do y'all think i should do...i have a clean slate to work with, just not sure which way to go...

edit-sorry the pic is so big...lol

 

You split that one right down the middle there huh?

I would say that you should buy a procharger and put some sweet wheels on it! Definitely get some 4:10s! Maybe put a rear sway bar with some lightning leafs, and some bilsteins up front. If I were to ever re-do my truck then thats what I would do to it. The procharger is going to take up a decent chunk of the change, but not when you compare it to the lift, wheels, tires, regearing and all of that. Lifted trucks are awesome, and I love mine but I am a speedwhore too so I get torn sometimes. My truck would be soooo much quicker with the procharger and my 4:56s on some nice 18s and some street tires .

 

IMO, you should save your money and not go for a total transformation. If I assume correctly, yours probably has some miles on it being it's a '97, and things will start needing replaced. Have you checked the front end bushings? I would do all necessary boring maintenance first, then opt for extras if you really want to do it. But to each their own.

 

Both will look great. But if you lower it, you need to go with at least a 22 inch wheel.

 

Whats the budget on this? if your still unsure which way to go maybeyou should do the paint and interior first then make your decision by how you want it to look

 

lol no way. i'm not a fan of big wheels and if i DO lower it...it will be performance-oriented...i wanna make it handle and make it quick.

thejake1989-the budget is "little at the time" on both directions. i don't have mass amounts of money to throw in it all at once but i will have money to throw in little at the time...

carpenterltd-you're right...171k on the beast. and yep, it does need front end bushings...but that's about it. i will just slowly repair things as they wear out on it (previous owner put a lot into it...it's really pretty solid)

thanks for the input guys, i really appreciate it!

 

Wow, im in your same deal. I dont really know what to do either. I got a SingleCab 4.6 Shortbed, its currently lowered. I love the sporty feel, I can take corners with more ease and I think it drives very nice. Before I had this truck I had a lifted F-150 and driving that every once in awhile makes me want to go back to lifted. Basically lift and throw a nice tire on there and drive it like that. I dont know which way I want to go either haha. Good luck though.

 

I think it's a matter of what kind of truck you would prefer. I think you have the base of a nice street style truck...but either way you have a good start!

 

thanks a lot man...i, too, think it'll look good no matter what i do...but i just can't seem to figure out which way to go...lol

 

Hydraulics .. .. then you can go up and down

 

Lower it and some anti-sway bars will make it handle very nice.
Then do the wheels and tires.

 

Lift it up.

 

Lift it!!

 

I'd probably lower it, I've had two lifted 2wds and did it mostly for looks. Or maybe sell it and buy a 4x4 and lift it if you like offroading..really depends on personal preferences

 

down down down. I wouldnt gear lower then 4.10s if you're gonna keep the 5spd manual trans