hey yall have been a huge help so far to my other questions and i have another. i think im about to get a '99 4x2 f150..i wont be taking it in the mud i just want to lift it for looks so i wanted to ask if it will be able to handle probably 33's maybe 35's since its only a v6? i dont know much about things like this so some input would be awsome. i have been told those tires wont fit with just a 3 inch body lift so i guess i will save up and get the 7.5 fabtech lift. i just need to know if the engine and all can handle those tires

 

I'd save up for gears also. The F-150 is a big truck and the V6 will be under a strain with 33's or 35's.

 

Yep definately need to regear. You can fit the 35's with a Body lift and spacer with some trimming but I would definately recommend the suspension lift.

 

yeah i was planning on doing the 7.5 fabtech lift and prolly putting 33x12.5s...what do yall mean by doing gears too? and how much would that run me

 

If you just want to fit 33's, you can get the 3.5 inch spindle lift from fabtech and easily clear 33's. 7.5 inch on 33's would look quite silly.

When people say gears, they are referring to the ring and pinion gear set in your rear end. Stock ratios typically range from 3.08-3.73. 4.10 or 4.30s are good for 33" tires and 4.56 or 4.88s are good for 35" tires.

Gears themselves cost about $150-$250 and install is anywhere from $200-$500
If you got alot of miles, it would be a good idea o replace all bearings and seals while its all apart.

 

don't let other people talk you out of what you want. if you want the 7.5" fabtech and have the money, get it. you will want 35's with that big of lift. gearing, while i wouldn't consider it a must, down the road its recommended. you can do intake, programmer and might be satisfied with the power. talk to 4.2trimble he has a v6 with 36's although his is 4x4.

 

yea i would rather do the 3.5 with 33's if that will fit but people have been telling me it wont since its a 4x2 they are sayin i need the 7.5..and the truck has about 100,000 miles on it. what woul you suggest for the gears if i want to pu 33x12.5s? i will be installing everything, have a friend thats a master mechanic so hell be doing all of it

 

If your only going to run 33" tires do not lift it 7 1/2". That would look ridiculous. If your going to go with 35's, then you would need 4:10 - 4:56 gear ratio. If you stick with 33's, you may not even need to regear unless your pulling something behind you.

 

yeah i think im going to go with 33's because i dont want to have to deal with all the other problems i would with 35's im on somewhat of a budget. so are you saying if i just went with the fabtech 3.5" spindles that i could do 33's without rubbing? i was going to do 35's but i want them to look big but not fill the whole thing up i want it to look like its got some lift on it but not stupid. just remember its a 2wd

 

YES! 3.5 inch lift spindles will lift the truck to clear 33" tires. Regardless of people saying that won't clear because you are 2WD. 3.5" lift spindles were designed to clear 33" tires. Good thing about spindles, you can retain your stock spring and stock ride quality. I'd suggest upgrading shocks at the same time(new shocks are not required and when you upgrade shocks, get stock length). If for you still have doubt on rubbing, throw in a 1 inch daystar coil spring spacer on top of your old spring.

I believe the fabtech 3.5" spindle kit comes with a 1.5" block for the rear. If it were me, I wouldn't lift the rear at all. From the pictures I've seen, when people lift the rear with included blocks, the back of the truck is slightly taller than the front. Taller by around an inch.

A budget way to fit 35's would be lift spindles and a 3" body lift, done.

If 3.5" fabtech lift spindles cost too much, you can go with doetsch's 3" lift spindle that will still clear a 33" tire. I don't know fabtech prices, but the doetsch's 3" spindle kit with shocks costs $444.22 accourding to their website. This kit does NOT include anything to lift rear of truck.

 

i lifted my truck 5.5"s in the front and 3" in the back. im running 305/70/16's (33*12*16) on aftermarket 16*8 wheels. they fit great and fill the wheel wells out perfectly. the only issue was that i had to trim alot of the front valance cause the aftermaket rims and spindle push the wheel out. as for the power, i have the 6 too with 3.55 stock gears. its a pig off the line but it does great on the highway with mileage. it depends on what gears you have now. i would assume its 3.55 unless you have a 5-speed, then its probably 3.08. when i get the money im going to go with 4.10's and a limited slip. i would go lower but my trucks a dd that sees highway miles so i dont want to wind the motor out too soon.

 

The engine will be fine. Its not gonna win any races but it will be ok.

Im runnin 36's i have a 4.2L

Id almost say do not go with just 33's if you are lookin for a "lifted" look i dont think this will satisfy you.

You will need to do a 7.5" Fabtech or a combination of a spindle lift and a body lft.

I honestly would recommend going wth the Fabtech 7.5 ive rode in a few trucks with one and helped installed 1 also it a great kit.

35's will look good and give you a "lifted" look.

Then after all that down the road get some 4.56 gears and have a mean truck.

 

i agree w/ trimble. if you are looking for the "big truck" look, 35's are the minimum.

 

hey Jon you drove my truck. It was much more slouchy than yours.

Anyhoo im going mudding on sunday. It cost 10 bucks and its a nice simple hole nothing crazy. If you arent working you should come.

 

there's no replacement for displacement, lol. seriously though, my tires are only 65 lbs apiece, that's why mine seems more peppy.

the V6 would love 4.56 gears, on my 5.4 with stock gearing, i can spin my 35'' A/T's off the line with ease. the difference is in the torque. regearing will get you, effectively, more torque at the rear wheels. nonetheless, i'm still gonna eventually regear to 4.56's-4.88's.

spend the bucks on the 7.5'' fabtech and 35's, you won't be disappointed.