The 97-03 4x4's sit 3 inches taller than the 4x2's. If you add a body lift and a leveling kit, you will be about the height of a stock 4x4 with the torsion bars cranked up. I'd stick with 33's.

 

Hey wandell, just curious...did you have to remove the entire interior to install the body lift?

 

Deeregeff also had what you were looking for on his old truck:

 

nope youll need some type of suspension lift (spindles of full) to go 35"s

 

No, all I had to do was remove a few interior trim pieces and pull the edges of the carpet back.

 

oh ok, thanks, the reason why i asked was i called a shop and was quoted 1300 out the door for a 3 inch body lift, i was shocked at how much so i asked why and they said that these body style f150 you have to take out the entire interior, i think they were just trying to pull one over on me, so im glad you told me otherwise, i think i'll just install it myself.

 

Honestly, they may not have wanted to install it so they gave you a crazy price. From what I've read $500 to $700 is average labor cost for a shop to install a body lift on a 97-03. They are not that hard, but it's just time consuming, tedious work.

 

thanks for the heads up, what was the hardest part, i havent bought the kit yet, but i've been reading the instructions online from PA just get myself familiar with what would have to be done.