Converting my F150 into an off roader
#16
01-13-2011, 05:09 PM
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Personally I don't like body lifts because if not done right the bumpers look funny and I just don't feel like they are capable enough.
That winch needs to be a little bigger, go with the synthetic rope
Your truck will not have torsion bars, but coil over spring instead, just get spacers for $60 bucks or so and heavy duty shocks (I like Bilstein HD series)
-Chase
That winch needs to be a little bigger, go with the synthetic rope
Your truck will not have torsion bars, but coil over spring instead, just get spacers for $60 bucks or so and heavy duty shocks (I like Bilstein HD series)
-Chase
#17
01-13-2011, 06:14 PM
They are good for a weekend warrior on a budget i beat the crap out of my truck and never once had an issue with it.
You need to do alittle research about your paticular truck, the frontend of the truck is torsion based suspenion. Look up torsion bar suspension and read up. Try to avoid wiki
You need to do alittle research about your paticular truck, the frontend of the truck is torsion based suspenion. Look up torsion bar suspension and read up. Try to avoid wiki
Personally I don't like body lifts because if not done right the bumpers look funny and I just don't feel like they are capable enough.
That winch needs to be a little bigger, go with the synthetic rope
Your truck will not have torsion bars, but coil over spring instead, just get spacers for $60 bucks or so and heavy duty shocks (I like Bilstein HD series)
You don't need fender flares, they look cool but they are a personal decision
I'd rhino line the rocker panels too though to protect the paint down there
I'd say 36" tires are too much, and any kind of swamper tires will suck on the road, wear prematurely, and that much tire could potentially do harm
For a stock to slightly lifted four bye I'd try 285/75/17 BFG TA/KO's can't go wrong with BFG they look good, ride well, and the three ply sidewall works wonders when aired down and can take a beating
For what you want to do like trail stuff (Like me) you want wider tires to increase traction, not narrow digging tires for mudding. You want to maximize tire surface on the ground and keep those rubbers to the road
Happy Wheeling
-Chase
That winch needs to be a little bigger, go with the synthetic rope
Your truck will not have torsion bars, but coil over spring instead, just get spacers for $60 bucks or so and heavy duty shocks (I like Bilstein HD series)
You don't need fender flares, they look cool but they are a personal decision
I'd rhino line the rocker panels too though to protect the paint down there
I'd say 36" tires are too much, and any kind of swamper tires will suck on the road, wear prematurely, and that much tire could potentially do harm
For a stock to slightly lifted four bye I'd try 285/75/17 BFG TA/KO's can't go wrong with BFG they look good, ride well, and the three ply sidewall works wonders when aired down and can take a beating
For what you want to do like trail stuff (Like me) you want wider tires to increase traction, not narrow digging tires for mudding. You want to maximize tire surface on the ground and keep those rubbers to the road
Happy Wheeling
-Chase
Judging by the fact you haven't had any experience wheeling I would take Trimble's advice. You may find that your not that into it and just have dumped a ton of money into it. The body lift won't go to waste if you lift it later, you can run even bigger tires later.
Body lifts can look good when done right, even if it doesn't look the best you are building this to be wheeler and will more than likely pick up some nice scratches and dents so who cars how nice it looks. You won't pick up any articulation or wheel travel but you will have some added ground clearance from the taller tires. I suggest you head over to the suspension section and do some research there. There are plenty of threads explaining torsion bars and body lifts.
Body lifts can look good when done right, even if it doesn't look the best you are building this to be wheeler and will more than likely pick up some nice scratches and dents so who cars how nice it looks. You won't pick up any articulation or wheel travel but you will have some added ground clearance from the taller tires. I suggest you head over to the suspension section and do some research there. There are plenty of threads explaining torsion bars and body lifts.
#18
01-13-2011, 07:15 PM
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look at the tag on the pumkin of your rear end. mine says 3L55 9 75 oe 12.
the "L" means limited slip differential(this is good) if no "L" no limited slip. the 3.55 is the gear ratio. the "9.75" is the axle size.
look into the front leveling kit(tortion keys). put your 2 or 3 in boby lift and 33 or 35 in tires and have fun. if you go with 35 tires you will need to put a different gear ratio. I don't think you will need a font locker for what your doing. if you have lsd thats ok if not you could put a locker in the rear. don.t put two winches (waste of money) get a front bumper that has a hitch on it and a hitch mounted winch that can be used in the front or rear.
the "L" means limited slip differential(this is good) if no "L" no limited slip. the 3.55 is the gear ratio. the "9.75" is the axle size.
look into the front leveling kit(tortion keys). put your 2 or 3 in boby lift and 33 or 35 in tires and have fun. if you go with 35 tires you will need to put a different gear ratio. I don't think you will need a font locker for what your doing. if you have lsd thats ok if not you could put a locker in the rear. don.t put two winches (waste of money) get a front bumper that has a hitch on it and a hitch mounted winch that can be used in the front or rear.
#19
01-13-2011, 08:04 PM
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look at the tag on the pumkin of your rear end. mine says 3L55 9 75 oe 12.
the "L" means limited slip differential(this is good) if no "L" no limited slip. the 3.55 is the gear ratio. the "9.75" is the axle size.
look into the front leveling kit(tortion keys). put your 2 or 3 in boby lift and 33 or 35 in tires and have fun. if you go with 35 tires you will need to put a different gear ratio. I don't think you will need a font locker for what your doing. if you have lsd thats ok if not you could put a locker in the rear. don.t put two winches (waste of money) get a front bumper that has a hitch on it and a hitch mounted winch that can be used in the front or rear.
the "L" means limited slip differential(this is good) if no "L" no limited slip. the 3.55 is the gear ratio. the "9.75" is the axle size.
look into the front leveling kit(tortion keys). put your 2 or 3 in boby lift and 33 or 35 in tires and have fun. if you go with 35 tires you will need to put a different gear ratio. I don't think you will need a font locker for what your doing. if you have lsd thats ok if not you could put a locker in the rear. don.t put two winches (waste of money) get a front bumper that has a hitch on it and a hitch mounted winch that can be used in the front or rear.
35" Tires do not require regearing, but depending on what the stock gears are, you might want to regear.
You like off roading but know nothing about the truck, no offense, but thats the level you are at. Read up a lot and learn about what you have. You will not be getting torsion bars, you already have them. The torsion keys will simply make the truck higher while using the stock suspension.
If you get a body lift and larger tires, you will not be helping the truck at all by making it stronger, you will actually be making it weaker. You will do more difficult things with a stock truck that has a couple of spacers between the body and the mounts.
If I were you and just doing trail runs, I would get wider 33 or 35" tires, no larger unless you have 4.10 gears. With numerically lower gears and larger tires, it puts more strain on the transmission.
If I were you and knew I liked off roading, I would daily driver the new truck and save up and get better parts and do a little more than a body lift and tires. Learn about the truck before you start breaking stuff, because parts are cheap, labor is not.
#20
01-13-2011, 08:07 PM
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is this a decent winch?
http://www.autoanything.com/winches/74A5010A0A0.aspx
http://www.autoanything.com/winches/74A5010A0A0.aspx
#21
01-13-2011, 08:14 PM
look at the tag on the pumkin of your rear end. mine says 3L55 9 75 oe 12.
the "L" means limited slip differential(this is good) if no "L" no limited slip. the 3.55 is the gear ratio. the "9.75" is the axle size.
look into the front leveling kit(tortion keys). put your 2 or 3 in boby lift and 33 or 35 in tires and have fun. if you go with 35 tires you will need to put a different gear ratio. I don't think you will need a font locker for what your doing. if you have lsd thats ok if not you could put a locker in the rear. don.t put two winches (waste of money) get a front bumper that has a hitch on it and a hitch mounted winch that can be used in the front or rear.
the "L" means limited slip differential(this is good) if no "L" no limited slip. the 3.55 is the gear ratio. the "9.75" is the axle size.
look into the front leveling kit(tortion keys). put your 2 or 3 in boby lift and 33 or 35 in tires and have fun. if you go with 35 tires you will need to put a different gear ratio. I don't think you will need a font locker for what your doing. if you have lsd thats ok if not you could put a locker in the rear. don.t put two winches (waste of money) get a front bumper that has a hitch on it and a hitch mounted winch that can be used in the front or rear.
Sorry, you have some wrong answers.
35" Tires do not require regearing, but depending on what the stock gears are, you might want to regear.
You like off roading but know nothing about the truck, no offense, but thats the level you are at. Read up a lot and learn about what you have. You will not be getting torsion bars, you already have them. The torsion keys will simply make the truck higher while using the stock suspension.
If you get a body lift and larger tires, you will not be helping the truck at all by making it stronger, you will actually be making it weaker. You will do more difficult things with a stock truck that has a couple of spacers between the body and the mounts.
If I were you and just doing trail runs, I would get wider 33 or 35" tires, no larger unless you have 4.10 gears. With numerically lower gears and larger tires, it puts more strain on the transmission.
If I were you and knew I liked off roading, I would daily driver the new truck and save up and get better parts and do a little more than a body lift and tires. Learn about the truck before you start breaking stuff, because parts are cheap, labor is not.
35" Tires do not require regearing, but depending on what the stock gears are, you might want to regear.
You like off roading but know nothing about the truck, no offense, but thats the level you are at. Read up a lot and learn about what you have. You will not be getting torsion bars, you already have them. The torsion keys will simply make the truck higher while using the stock suspension.
If you get a body lift and larger tires, you will not be helping the truck at all by making it stronger, you will actually be making it weaker. You will do more difficult things with a stock truck that has a couple of spacers between the body and the mounts.
If I were you and just doing trail runs, I would get wider 33 or 35" tires, no larger unless you have 4.10 gears. With numerically lower gears and larger tires, it puts more strain on the transmission.
If I were you and knew I liked off roading, I would daily driver the new truck and save up and get better parts and do a little more than a body lift and tires. Learn about the truck before you start breaking stuff, because parts are cheap, labor is not.
#22
01-13-2011, 10:00 PM
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#23
01-13-2011, 10:51 PM
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Actually F150, normally people gear higher to save on gas, to a extent anyway.
The Pumpkin is another name for the differential and as far as regearing, you are going to have to do both the front and rear differential in order to use 4x4. If you can drive off road, good for you. It isn't too difficult unless you are able to push the vehicle, but not break anything, that takes skill.
May I ask how you plan on installing all these parts. You came into the thread and didn't know what the pumpkin or the suspension system was, but now installation isn't a problem. Are you having someone else do it?
Finally, the tires you can get while still having some movement depends on what your current gear ratio is. I have a 3.55, which some people would consider too high for driving around in a truck. My coworker has 4.10s in the same truck, so he has a quicker take off, but I can maintain higher speeds at lower RPMs when doing highway driving, so I save gas.
The Pumpkin is another name for the differential and as far as regearing, you are going to have to do both the front and rear differential in order to use 4x4. If you can drive off road, good for you. It isn't too difficult unless you are able to push the vehicle, but not break anything, that takes skill.
May I ask how you plan on installing all these parts. You came into the thread and didn't know what the pumpkin or the suspension system was, but now installation isn't a problem. Are you having someone else do it?
Finally, the tires you can get while still having some movement depends on what your current gear ratio is. I have a 3.55, which some people would consider too high for driving around in a truck. My coworker has 4.10s in the same truck, so he has a quicker take off, but I can maintain higher speeds at lower RPMs when doing highway driving, so I save gas.
#24
01-13-2011, 11:08 PM
Actually F150, normally people gear higher to save on gas, to a extent anyway.
The Pumpkin is another name for the differential and as far as regearing, you are going to have to do both the front and rear differential in order to use 4x4. If you can drive off road, good for you. It isn't too difficult unless you are able to push the vehicle, but not break anything, that takes skill.
May I ask how you plan on installing all these parts. You came into the thread and didn't know what the pumpkin or the suspension system was, but now installation isn't a problem. Are you having someone else do it?
Finally, the tires you can get while still having some movement depends on what your current gear ratio is. I have a 3.55, which some people would consider too high for driving around in a truck. My coworker has 4.10s in the same truck, so he has a quicker take off, but I can maintain higher speeds at lower RPMs when doing highway driving, so I save gas.
The Pumpkin is another name for the differential and as far as regearing, you are going to have to do both the front and rear differential in order to use 4x4. If you can drive off road, good for you. It isn't too difficult unless you are able to push the vehicle, but not break anything, that takes skill.
May I ask how you plan on installing all these parts. You came into the thread and didn't know what the pumpkin or the suspension system was, but now installation isn't a problem. Are you having someone else do it?
Finally, the tires you can get while still having some movement depends on what your current gear ratio is. I have a 3.55, which some people would consider too high for driving around in a truck. My coworker has 4.10s in the same truck, so he has a quicker take off, but I can maintain higher speeds at lower RPMs when doing highway driving, so I save gas.
#25
01-13-2011, 11:09 PM
#26
01-13-2011, 11:12 PM
Well I've gone through 6 starters off roading because it always seizes. Both wheel hubs, a few brake lines, and thats it so far.
#28
01-13-2011, 11:21 PM
#30
01-13-2011, 11:39 PM
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Personally I don't like body lifts because if not done right the bumpers look funny and I just don't feel like they are capable enough.
That winch needs to be a little bigger, go with the synthetic rope
Your truck will not have torsion bars, but coil over spring instead, just get spacers for $60 bucks or so and heavy duty shocks (I like Bilstein HD series)
You don't need fender flares, they look cool but they are a personal decision
I'd rhino line the rocker panels too though to protect the paint down there
I'd say 36" tires are too much, and any kind of swamper tires will suck on the road, wear prematurely, and that much tire could potentially do harm
For a stock to slightly lifted four bye I'd try 285/75/17 BFG TA/KO's can't go wrong with BFG they look good, ride well, and the three ply sidewall works wonders when aired down and can take a beating
For what you want to do like trail stuff (Like me) you want wider tires to increase traction, not narrow digging tires for mudding. You want to maximize tire surface on the ground and keep those rubbers to the road
Happy Wheeling
-Chase
That winch needs to be a little bigger, go with the synthetic rope
Your truck will not have torsion bars, but coil over spring instead, just get spacers for $60 bucks or so and heavy duty shocks (I like Bilstein HD series)
You don't need fender flares, they look cool but they are a personal decision
I'd rhino line the rocker panels too though to protect the paint down there
I'd say 36" tires are too much, and any kind of swamper tires will suck on the road, wear prematurely, and that much tire could potentially do harm
For a stock to slightly lifted four bye I'd try 285/75/17 BFG TA/KO's can't go wrong with BFG they look good, ride well, and the three ply sidewall works wonders when aired down and can take a beating
For what you want to do like trail stuff (Like me) you want wider tires to increase traction, not narrow digging tires for mudding. You want to maximize tire surface on the ground and keep those rubbers to the road
Happy Wheeling
-Chase
He has another truck that is a DD, so he is not limited to an allterrain tire, he can make the step to a mud terrain. My tsl's lasted me somewhere in the 35k mile ball park so they arent that bad as long as you get the radials and keep them rotated. Ive ran BFG ta ko's and they suck in practically ever situation EXCEPT dirt roads and pavement (why run an at on a NON dd truck)
Sorry, you have some wrong answers.
35" Tires do not require regearing, but depending on what the stock gears are, you might want to regear.
You like off roading but know nothing about the truck, no offense, but thats the level you are at. Read up a lot and learn about what you have. You will not be getting torsion bars, you already have them. The torsion keys will simply make the truck higher while using the stock suspension.
If you get a body lift and larger tires, you will not be helping the truck at all by making it stronger, you will actually be making it weaker. You will do more difficult things with a stock truck that has a couple of spacers between the body and the mounts.
If I were you and just doing trail runs, I would get wider 33 or 35" tires, no larger unless you have 4.10 gears. With numerically lower gears and larger tires, it puts more strain on the transmission.
If I were you and knew I liked off roading, I would daily driver the new truck and save up and get better parts and do a little more than a body lift and tires. Learn about the truck before you start breaking stuff, because parts are cheap, labor is not.
35" Tires do not require regearing, but depending on what the stock gears are, you might want to regear.
You like off roading but know nothing about the truck, no offense, but thats the level you are at. Read up a lot and learn about what you have. You will not be getting torsion bars, you already have them. The torsion keys will simply make the truck higher while using the stock suspension.
If you get a body lift and larger tires, you will not be helping the truck at all by making it stronger, you will actually be making it weaker. You will do more difficult things with a stock truck that has a couple of spacers between the body and the mounts.
If I were you and just doing trail runs, I would get wider 33 or 35" tires, no larger unless you have 4.10 gears. With numerically lower gears and larger tires, it puts more strain on the transmission.
If I were you and knew I liked off roading, I would daily driver the new truck and save up and get better parts and do a little more than a body lift and tires. Learn about the truck before you start breaking stuff, because parts are cheap, labor is not.
TOO THE OP Ive done this, ive ran this setup both on and offroad with no issues. These other guys are talking more from a keyboard cowboy position
