I have the BFG 35inch ATs and I think they ride great. I in no way sacrifced anything with my tire size, lift or anything. Sure I have a stiffer ride now due to stiffer shocks, but that was my choice. I dont think anyone would suffer with any ATs.

 

Yes with lifted anything and big aggressive tires you have a price to pay. Sometimes this is in a number of things. Fuel mileage, ride, noise and handling.
I have been around lifting trucks and off roding since the late 60's. I have never seen, body-suspension lifts, bigger tires and wheels ever keep the stock ride and never not have a shake or two. This is the price we pay and sometimes it is worth it. There are some great info on "drive line angles". This has been an on going thing since the beginning of gear heads messing with their suspensions!

 

I guess you're right. I really like the looks of the lifted trucks, but the thought of driving long distances with a rough ride just makes me cringe. I guess I'm just too peculiar.

 

I'm thinking about it, but I still don't get it. Yes, when you raise the front, you are changing the angle of the transmission/transfer case relative to the ground. The angle of the driveshaft also changes relative to the ground. Here's the thing--the rear differential also changes relative to the ground. Unless you change the rear suspension or re-shim the rear axle, you absolutely aren't changing the angle between the rear end and the driveshaft. The only thing you are changing is the angle of the front output shaft between the cv joints.
If I'm mistaken here, please tell me how, as I can't seem to grasp it.

 

so do these leveling kits do anything to the ride quality from stock?

 

i have to agree i dont see how a front lift would change the rear angle

 

i suggest going with a 2-2.5" spacer with 315's +

 

that diagram is funny. i think the a leveling kit would actually improve the rear angles.

and no, i didn't notice a ride difference with the leveling kit.

 

I just got off the phone with a shop that has been installing lifts for 20 years...The guy said that it would make the drivline angle steeper and that this is a big problem with all lifts except body lifts.
It's going in hie shop end of next week and he said if it is vibrating due to this he should be able to help.
If you look at the diagram and you measure the angle it "is" steeper.

 

I have a 2.5" skyjacker leveling kit & 3" skyjacker bodylift , the ride has remained UNCHANGED from factory.

Do keep in mind I am still on the factory wheels & tires though.

The 35's BFG M/T go on this week

 

Like I said, the front's driveline angle (output shafts between the cv joints) would be different, but you said your problem is from the rear end.

And ummmm, no, the diagram does not show that the angle is steeper with the front end lifted. How do I know for sure? Because I made the diagram. Granted it was very simplified and exagerated to show the angles, but it shows that the angle of the rear end RELATIVE TO THE DRIVESHAFT, FRAME AND TRANSMISSION do not change. The back tire/rear end, driveshaft, and frame were drawn together, the front tire was drawn separately. The back tire/rear end/driveshaft/tranny/frame unit was just rotated as one in order to raise the look of the front end; exactly what happened with your truck's leveling kit.

The red lines show a difference in the angle of the face of the rear end. Now look at the angle of the rear face of the transmission--it changes the exact same amount as that of the rear end. It is the transmission's and rear end's angles WITH RESPECT to each other that is important. As long as they are parallel, it doesn't matter if they are slightly 'uphill'. If it did, you wouldn't be able to drive on anything but flat, level ground.

A normal suspension lift will affect the driveline angle, because a normal lift raises the rear suspension as well as the front. Why won't a body lift affect it? because the rear suspension has not been changed. If you raise your front end with a levelling kit, has anything in your rear suspension changed? NO. Now if you put larger blocks in to raise the rear of the truck, that would change your angles. Just to be certain, you didn't touch the rear of the truck, you just put a levelling kit on, correct?

If the guy you talked to COMPLETELY understands what you've done to the truck and is still telling you it affected your rear driveline angle, he's trying to rip you off. It just is not possible. You have done nothing that changed the angles of the rear of the truck.

Believe what you want, it's your money. Hope you get it all worked out. Let's have a step 22 when it's all figured out.

 

22
Well like I said been doing this stuff since 68. Lifted a dozen trucks or so and they all had vibration problems. The drive line angle problem was always a problem. Either with vibrations or premature u joint failure.
I really don't think this is the issue, but would like to hear it form someone that does this everyday. Ford wants the tires to spec at 15# or under on a RF balancer...Mine are 20-18 and read because of the sensitivity of the front ends that anything about 15 will shake at highway speeds and if they don't they eventually will. Prove is that ford just extended its tire warranties from 12000 to 36000 miles on there stock tires and wheels. This leaving large aftermarket tires and wheel shaking away when on any other truck would run smooth at a reading of 25#. I guess I might have to sell my 325/60/18 nittos and look for a smaller and lighter tire.
First step will be to mount on the stock wheels and tires. If the shake goes away we will know the culprit. If it doesn't I will take out the spacers.
Ford is still looking for a 'fix" because it is costing them bucks to keep balancing and or replacing tires especially for 36000 miles.
With all this said, I really like the tough look of my truck as is. I will not however drive it with a vibration between 60-70 for long. Money is not s huge issue, perfection is. And I would rather get an opinion from somebody that will answer my questions then trying to wraggle the truth out of a service manager.

 

http://www.4x4now.com/gt0899.htm.......I think we are thinking a bit differently this link except for the gear chanege part, will sort of show you why I feel the way I do about lifting the front.

Bill
I hink you need to copy and paste the link.

 

A lot of us have lifts. All the major brands are represented on this site: Fabtech, Rancho, CST, and ProComp. All of these are decent lifts, most at 6" and most of us have had them for a couple 1000 miles now. I can tell you the lifts are quality and do well both on and off the road. Sure you have a slight nibble in the steering, but very slight and some dont even have that. A lot of it has to do with tires and balancing. About this drive shaft angle business. I think I will trust the companies making the lifts and not the guy trying to sell them. These companies have been lifting trucks of all makes and sizes for years so you all who think this is the one and only out there need to get a clue.
The daystar kit and the suspension lifts are great. If you dont wnat to buy one fine, but saying its because of ride quality or drive angles is BS. hov has got it right, sure its not going to be 100% the same, a little nibble maybe, or some noise from more aggressive tires but this is getting out of hand. You wouldnt even notice the nibble unless I told you about it. Everyone here hears the word shimmy or vibe and immediately think they have it. Stop with the "Princess and the Pea" bullchit and enjoy your sweet truck....I repeat....TRUCK!

 

Back to scruz original question:

I too use my truck as a daily commuter, mostly hghway, but also for towing and winter driving. I recently traded my '99 for an '04. The '99 had BFG A/T's with over 50,000 miles with decent tread still left. If looking for a LONG lasting tire with an agressive look and good ride, this might be a good chioce too. Truck was not lifted.

No one seems to talk about the BFG' A/Ts anymore!