i have a 2003 F-150 FX4 it has a little bit bigger tires than stock but nothing special, i was out this past weekend and saw about 4 of the same model truck and they were all raised atleast 4 inches, it was like god was telling me to lift it. well i know that lifting it will mess with my ride quality but then again it just looks bada$$. but i dont want to do any serious muddin and the highest i would go i 6 inches with maybe a 2 inch body. what i would really like to get through is sugar sand, lot of it down here in south florida

any opinions will be appreciated
-rich

 

To get through sand, you need flotation and traction. Tires will give you the functionality you need, and limited slip rear will help you keep both rear wheels turning. Search the wheels and tires thread for sizes that work with your truck. Depending on the tires you choose, you might need a lift. Keep in mind that this will affect your fuel mileage as well (my tires weigh about 64 lbs each! ). Additionally, your tire size may require a gear ratio change. And, yes - those trucks look awesome lifted and with big meats.

 

I reccmoend a 6" susp lift with 35s to start. Not sure whic tires are good for sand

 

ya i dont think tires will be a problem for me, my uncle owns a tire shop and i can get them cheap but should i get grapplers?

 

In sugar sand, flotation tires (not big lugs, they just dig deeper holes) and a locking rear end, eaton, ARB, etc. Will provide the most bang for buck for you over the lift. In fact, a locking rear end with stock tires is better than big tires (diameter) and a lift (in sugar sand).

 

well when i got my truck from my dad he said that there was nitrogen in the tires, i didnt think much of it but i think nitrogen wheighs less than regular air. will this maybe help. also, its an FX4 and they come with limited slip is that the same or close to the same as locking rear end? if not what is a locking rear end and where can i get one?

 

Nitrogen is not lighter than air (at least not significantly) The reason people use it is that it carries no moisture (corrosion) We use it in our helicopter tires. A limited slip is good, but it does not compare to a full locker. Do a google search on either ARB air locker, or Eaton e-locker. They're not cheap (about $700 or so), but when you compare them to the cost of tires, they're not that bad. Stay away from "auto lockers" unless you like chattering around turns (and they never seem to lock when theyre supposed to). What these 2 products do is either using air pressure, or electric, completely lock up the rear end (like a 4-wheeler)... when one tire turnes, the other one does, unlike a limited slip, which has a clutch to compromise between open and locked. Since you dont want a locked rear end on pavement, you just flip a switch and they unlock completely.

here's a video of lockers and what they can do... note the stock tires and suspension:
http://www.traction.eaton.com/images/F150.mov

 

wow those look great, and they probably can get through a lot of stuff that a normal lifted truck cant, which would you reccomend?

 

The ARB air system has been around longer, but I'd probably go with the eaton e-lockers, for ease of installation (no air pump, routing air lines, etc.)

 

thank you ill look in to that, the reviews on it look good