Hey all,

New to the site here and figured there were some experts that could help me with a couple of questions.

Right now I have a 97 f-150 extended cab with a 5.4l. I am looking to do a 6" BDS lift with a 3" body lift. I also want to run 37-38" tires. I plan on getting 4.56 gears (or something else if needed).

I am wondering if there are any other suggestions you guys think I should get. I know a 6" lift with 35" tires is pretty safe to run with everything else stock, but going to the 9" with the 37-38" tires might put more stress on the truck. I don't plan on beating on this truck, mostly for show, with a little but of dune riding.

Any suggestions would help!

Also, I wouldn't be installing any of these on my truck as I don't have the space/tools/know-how, a local mechanic friend would be doing the work.

Thanks!!

 

The max size you can fit with that lift combo is a 38x15.50 on a 10 inch wide wheel with 4.5 inches of backspacing. However, that is an extremely tight fit and there will be some rubbing. Personally, I'd go with something like a 37x13.50.

 

I'd go with 4.88 gears instead of 4.56. It will be closer to stock rpms

 

Wandell - Thanks for the info! I really don't want to mess around with trimming the fenders. I was looking at 37's and they are also cheaper, which is good

Joh408 - That also sounds good. I said 4.56 because I seen other's with similar setups and that's what they were running.

Thank you both for the info!

 

I would go with 4.56's, I couldn't imagine running 4.88's on the intersate.

 

I'm surprised you would say that jason, our f250 had 4.88s with 37" bfgs and it ran fantastic. Hell, my brothers 1500 with 38s and 5.13s ran great.

 

On the highway @ 75 mph im turning 2,400 rpm, if was running 4.88's i'm guessing my rpm would be at 3,000. At 5,500 rpm my 5.4 is screaming.

 

That seems pretty high. Our 250 has the 5.4 too but never ran that high. Is your speed reprogrammed?

 

I run 4.88's and 37"s and my rpm's at 65 mph is just shy of 2000,when in O.D. Here in Canada, the speeding tickets are high, along with the insurance penalties, so I don't usually run around at 80 mph. I would go with 4.88's again.

I do have a Edge programmer, which I use to re-calibrate the gear ratio, and tire size. Maybe that's why Jason's truck seems to be revving higher?

Good luck with your build,don't forget to take some pics, and remember, money is only fancy paper

 

My speedo is not reprogrammed, i'm going off my GPS

Nice truck Sledman

 

Quick question for you guys...I have a 2wd and have a 6" RCD and next week im putting on a 3" PA BL you think 37x12.50's should clear? with just my 6" it clears my 35's no problem

 

I wouldn't go wider than 14.5. I had some nasty rubbing on the tie rods with a 38x14.5 (that's after trimming fenders and LCA tabs). I'm running a 37x13.5 with no rubbing now.

In response to the gears, it's a toss up between 4.56 and 4.88. I personally run 4.88 and at 75mph I'm at about 2400 RPM, so take that for what it's worth.

edit: I haven't reprogrammed by speedo either, I also go off my GPS.

 

Probably, you'll prob have to do some trimming though. I'm pretty sure a 6" for a 4x2 of our generation does NOT equal a 6" for the 4x4, but you'd still be able to tuck a 37.

 

oh i no that the 6" on mine doesn't equal the 6" on a 4x4, my buddies 4x4 has a leveling kit and a 3" BL and sits just a lil higher than mine

 

I have been pondering one more question. Is there really a big difference in a 6" suspension lift vs a 6" suspension + 3" body? Besides the larger tires (im looking at getting 37"), I am wondering if there will be more "wear and tear" on the 3" taller lift, even though it's body. Else I am considering a 6" with 35" tires, but I really like the look of 9" and 37's/38's.