Smokin Lariat, I can see the aesthetic value of lowering your truck, in the rear only. If you want a level stance, you can simply remove your 4x4 blocks in the rear. It is very simple to do. That should put your truck pretty level. I know some of the guys can chime in with pix of this setup.

 

I guess I always thought lowering a 4x4 was a bit weird. I really like the stance of RMs8's truck. How'd you do that?

I'd just like a bit more agressive stance, fill in some of those giant wheel wells that show and make it easier to get into the bed of the truck.

FreddyTran says remove the 4x4 blocks? Anybody got pics of a set up like that?

And a related question... I'm running Foose 20"x8.5" wheels with 20" Pirelli Scorpions. When the time comes for new tires, what the biggest, best size I can run on those wheels with no issues??

 

I installed a 2" Autospring Leveling kit. It was $68 shipped to my door. Then I installed Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ's in the 305/55/20 size.


You can fit a 35" tire on there, but most have to ditch the mudflaps, trim the lower valance and experience a decent amount of rubbing on the upper control arm. To what degree depends on the offset of the wheel you have.

I was hoping my 33.4" tire wouldn't rub, but at full lock, it does rub slightly. Very slightly. So I would choose a 305/55 or a 285/65 if you want to really go for an aggressive stance! Moving up to a 325/50 will force you to trim and experience much more rubbing. I personally think the look of a 35" tire on a leveled screw looks a bit too much. Yeah they'll fit, but it just looks like too much tire in there for my taste. BUT, a 35" tire on a Flareside looks great.



There's a guy on here that has a black/dsg regularcab flareside with 35's on 20's (he's in Mexico). His truck is one of the nicest looking trucks on this entire forum IMHO!

 

I'd level it by using a 2" autospring kit which you can get for around $80 to 100 buck's. Or get some Bilstein 5100 leveling shock's which run around $200 buck's just for the front two. This will require a spring compressor and should be done by a qualified mechanic. Price will be higher to install the shock's as opposed to the leveling kit. Throw on a set of 305x65x18 BFG's on the stock 18" Lariat wheel's and stand back and stare at a new truck! If you get anything done and have on the tires you will be running don't forget an alignment.

 

Check the post directly above yours pawpaw.........

***** The Autospring spacer, be it a 1.5", 2" or 2.5" are all SIXTY EIGHT DOLLARS SHIPPED to your door...........*****

 

Yeah, I never read the "Fine Print"!

 

This is what I'm planning to do (2" AS and 305x65x18s on the stock Lariat wheels).

Total cost: Around $1300
Autospring = $68 (Ebay)
BFGoodrich All Terrains = $1152 = shipping (tirerack.com)

If you have a Costco membership, I've found that they have the BFGs for cheaper than tirerack (at least the warehouses in my area), and that lower price includes mounting, lifetime balancing, lifetime inflation, and lifetime rotation. They quoted me $186 per tire, but that was a while ago and I think their prices have gone up since then. Worth checking out, at least.

 

Don't have a Costco here in LA, Sam's Club. Better yet, I have a buddy that owns a tire store in NE TX - about an hour away. By the way, I'm running 20" wheels, not the factory 18s.

Here's the only side shot I have of the truck - this was with the stock 18s - now runing 20s.

 

That sound's like a great plan to me. Those tires are closer to $300 buck's ea. around here if you can get them. I'd love a set on my 18" Lariat wheel's but I can't wear my 315's out!

 

Smokin Lariat, are you up around Shreveport?

 

Yessir! Keithville - stone's throw away.

What about a set of 305-50-20s or a 285-50-20? Tire rack web site didn't recognize the 285-65-20 tire size??

 

LOL, are you a 'chaser'? I remember back in my single days when we would head out to Albuquerque for Balloon Fiesta, just the boys. We'd sign up to be balloon chasers and volunteer with some of the teams. That was fun!

 

Well yes, in my early days in the sport I started out as one of the chase crew. That's when I lived in Plano, TX. Got my first balloon and pilot's license in 1990 while living in Sacramento, CA.

If you've been to Albuqerque since 1990 or to the Plano Balloon Festival since the mid-80s, I'm the voice you hear on the PA talking about the balloons, pilots, competitions, etc. This October will be my 20th year at Fiesta in Albuquerqe. I do other events too annually in SC, TX, IL and elsewhere.

 

When shopping for tires, you should visit the manufactures website so you know what's available from THEM, not tire rack, or discount tire or any other retailer.

I was nearly 2 seconds away from getting the General Grabber AT in the 305/50/20. It's an awesome tire, and at that size (305/50) would be the exact same height as the OEM Pirellis, so no speedo issues. After looking at them on another members truck (his is lowered BTW), I felt they just wouldn't look good or right on a leveled 4x4. The sidewall looks too short at 305mm. So I went with the taller 55 series and am so glad I did. I researched all terrain tires for months and teetered on several brands and sizes for an equal amount of time.

In the end I am happy with my choice both in size and brand. They have performed beyond my expectations thus far in the snow! The braking distance alone is remarkable with these new tires! My driveway has a slight incline and when covered with snow, the Pirellis would slide all over the place trying to back into the garage. I was forced to put it in 4x4 just to park it in the garage! With the new Mickeys, it just trudges its way into the garage in 2 wheel drive.

 

1/2 and 1/2 on-topic and not

hey RMS8, did you ever find out if yours was a 2" or a 2.5"? that pic you posted sure looks exactly like my 2.5"...especially since we've both got a Autosprings leveling kit...that or I've got a 2" installed.



btw, AutoSprings for the win. They make an excellent product