I would have to agree about the 33's in most cases, but I am choosing to go with them because I am trying not to lose too much in gas mileage overall since I do have to drive this truck long distances at times. I feel like in a lot of cases they just don't look tall enough on the trucks, but I think a good set of wheels that are the right size will help that problem. Also, I have the 3.55 gears and when you change to 33's your gears really should be more in the range of 3.77, then with 35's they should be around 4.11 (at least that's the ranges calculated by the online gear ratio calculators). If I had 3.72 gears, I would probably get 35's and never worry. But I can't spend the extra cash to change gears out. So I'll hopefully be happy with 33's and some good sized wheels, and maybe only lose 1-2 mpg. But I'll get it tuned too for better performance.

 

You dont happen to know what the backspacing on those wheels are do ya? I am going to go with the helo maxx 6 rims (black) but want the best spacing so I dont rub on/off road. I like look of 35" tires and with the 3.73 rear LS rear end I dont mind having a 4.11 gear. I will be going with the Nitto AT tires as well.

Ian

 

They are 5 1/2" back spacing. Im hoping I could fit 35s with this but Im not sure it'll work.

 

Thumper, I have the 3in skyjacker kit with 325/60/18 terra grapplers mounted on mb express 18x9 wheels with a 6.3 inch back spacing. AT full lock the indide of the tire almost contacts the frame, and thats with 33's. My guess is that with a 5.5 in b/s moving the tire outboard a bit, and 35's you should be ok. In my case i thick 35's would rub the frame at full lock.

 

I would say $300 is more than fair for the install.

I was skeptical about how it would look with the 35's and only a 3" lift but I am extremely pleased with how it turned out. The 6" lifts look great, but you don't gain any ground clearance after installing the drop brackets.

I'll think about the wheels....I figured Brian would figure out a way to fit them on his Ranger.

I also wanted to add, thank you to all of you who make it a point to thank the troops and show your support. We have nimrods in congress speaking their minds hurting the morale of the troops for political gains. Thankfully there are plenty of patriotic Americans out there with their heads in the right place......I think most of them drive F150's!

-Wowak

 

Wowak, I can't agree more that the troops need more support than some of the big-headed politicians and the liberal media are giving them. Thanks for your service and bring it home safe, you guys are doing a great job.

And by the way, nice truck, man! I love the 35's!

 

The 1079's have 5" backspacing. Hi_rider is absolutely correct. Fitting 35's with this kit is dependant of which wheels you have and their backspacing. Anything over 5"-5.5" would be pushing it with 35's. Keep in mind, BFG AT's also don't have treads on the sidewall like the BFG MT and TOYO MT's. Those tires would rub more readily than the AT's

 

Im really hoping I can fit 35s with this kit.

 

haha i think brian is pretty happy with whats hes got going on with the ranger, hes very picky if you decide to let the wheels go, let me know. i aint rich, so maybe you could hook up a fellow F150/ranger/aquaintance of your brother.. haha

 

As much as I like the kit, I'm debating on the costs of it now. It will total nearly $1000 installed, then I'll have to buy wheels and tires too. And those would be my first mods to my truck. I want some money for other stuff too. I'm more than likely going to run 33's on 20's to achieve decent gas mileage, a good ride, and hopefully the big fat tire look sticking out a couple of inches making it look like a real 4x4. I would just go with leveling kit and 3"body lift, but with the body lift you gotta worry about your radiator fan, bumpers, so much stuff has to be unbolted and put back together, etc. I'm also interested in gaining a better look from height, that's why I decided not to just do a leveling kit only. I'm closer to getting it figured out now.

 

I thought about the body lift as I already had the Autospring, but my Dad who talked me out of it. With 33 years experience in the car business, I tend to listen to him. Not to knock body lifts, as they look great and a number of people have had success with them, but to me, it is increasing the numbers of things that can go wrong. ie extended brake lines, steering shaft, bumper relocations and all that stuff.

I have also read there is a lot of labor involved in installing the body lift on the 04/05's. Those with them can chime in, but your labor might bring the costs to almost parallel that of the skyjacker kit.

Having alot of choices is a great problem to have though!

-Wowak

 

??????

 

he is correct, i was talking to an installer today bout this and he said he isnt going to do another body lift on one of these things due to the process. he said he basically had to tear apart half of the truck to lift it up, including taking the seats out etc... he said it was beacuase of all the new rubber holding the body up for better sound resistance and strength

 

womack, ur truck looks awesome. cant wait 4 u to make it back home and let us know how it rides. I know u cant wait to come home and check it out, I was in your shoes(boots) 2 years ago. Make it home safe man, and let us know how she rides!!!!

 

wowak and bofer,

I agree. I really do like the looks of the body lifts too, I think it's almost a perfect 'moderate' lift, but it just seems like there are too many possibilities of things going wrong or being put back incorrectly. I won't be installing any of it, so I have a hard time trusting installers unless they're a reputable shop. I know some guys on here, especially deepblue and wandell, have superb looking rides that have body kits. Theirs are probably done right, but I just don't want to trust the locals for that on mine......plus relocating so much stuff and yes, I also read an article about having to remove the back seat and all that stuff.

wowak,

From a true mechanic's position (your dad), what was his opinion of body lifts and what are the things he does not like about them? Did he mention any problems that might occur later on? I did see the part where you mentioned longer brake lines, etc.