hey guys im new to this site. i have a 2004 lariat ext. cab 4x4, and i turn 18 next week. ive saved my money and for my birthday i want to add a suspension lift to my truck, and im considering 2 options. one is the rancho 4inch, and i would prolly put on 17x9 rims with 35-12.5-17 tires. but if my dad wont let me do that (which will most liekly be the case cause he doesnt like it real high) im considering the skyjacker 3 inch. skyjacker recomends 285s on stock rims, but i want wider rims. the kit raises the front 3 inches and the back about 1.5, and im convinced wider rims then stock will fit with 33s (ive got 32s on the stock rims @ stock supsension hieght right now with plenty of room). what will fit under this lift? 17x8 or 17x9 rims? and 33/12.5/r17 tires or 285/70/r17 tires?? any advice is much appreciated. thanks.

 

check out my pic's. i have a 3" body lift with 35-12.5-17 mud tires

 

I'd go with one of the 2.5 inch leveling kits instead of the Skyjacker 3 inch kit. I don't think another 1/2 inch of lift is worth the money.

 

285's on stock wheels are too small, trust me.. The only reason I still have them is because I put them on the truck before I decided to put the 3"SJ on. 35's will fit with the right wheel choice.

FYI, I just saw in my peterson's 4wheel mag that Rough Country is now offering a 3" lift for the 04-06. It says call for pricing/info. Other than that, I couldn't find any other info on it.

 

ya, i was thinking about the front leveling spacers but the reason im aiming at the 3" lift is becuase i want the back raised a little bit and the SJ 3" lift includes 1.5 inch AAL.

hmfic your truck looks great with the SJ 3", do you think you would be able to fit aftermarket 17x9 rims 5" backspacing and 33x12.5s with no rubbing?? minor trimming wouldnt be an issue if its real close.

 

msall150,
First thing you need to do is get the idea of 33s out your head. This is a huge truck with big wheel wells. I wouldnt' suggest anything under a 35 for a 4wd F150.

 

ya i understnad where your coming from
a buddy of mine lifted the front of his 04 F150 5 inches and had 35s on 9 inch wide rims and still experienced rubbing on sharp turns. he trimmed the back of the front bumper to fix the problem. but with only 3 inches of front lift and a 9 inch wide rim, 33s or 34s is the max. i did find some 34s that would fit my situation so ill look into those. but your right, i could fit 35s, but id have to use narrow rims with a lot of backspacing, which isnt what i want.

 

I don't know how he lifted his truck but what you failed to mention is tthe backspacing on his wheel. I have a 9 inch wheel but I have more backspacing then what fabtech told me to use. I dont have any rubbing.

 

I like my lift and hope to put 35's on next