I was looking at lifting my 97 f150 stepside 4x4 orp just enough to fit 33"s under it. I wanted to put on a body lift due to $$$ restraints. However, I talked to a guy to see if he would put a 2" body lift on. He said there was no way he would put a body lift on the new style f150s. He continued on by saying that it stretches to many wires doing this(mainly to the computer) He also noted that it is hard to get the bumpers to look good after installs. My first thought is that he is full of it. Is it hard to install the body lift? besides time, I'm not the brightest person when it comes to details of the truck. If you guys could help me out by suggesting lifts and possible things to remember when installing the kit. thanks

 

It is easy just follow the instructions and get the 3 inch its not that more $$$ wise and it also includes bumper brackets.

 

You the installs aren't that hard.They just take alot of time.Its all of the little things that add up.As for the 2 " lift not including Brackets for the bumpers.That is 1/2 right.It does include a bracket for the front bumper.I believe the kit comes with instructions on how to modify the stock rear bracket to raise the bumper up.Might want to email them to find out for sure.....
33 x12.50s (305/70) will fit with minuimal rubbing(if at all) with your torsion bars cranked up

 

If you are going to do it, go with the 3" kit. I am happy with mine. For photos go the site.

 

You can fit 33" tires on it without any kind of lift. I have a 2001 F150 4x4 ORP stock With 33's. All you have to do is turn up the torsion bars, and do a little triming.

Good Luck
-D-

 

I just bought new Goodyear Wrangler AT/S tires.

275/70/17 which have an outer diameter of I think it was 33.4 or 33.1 inches. No rubbing yet or anything. Then again... mine was the tallest F-150 in the dealer lot when I bought it.

1998 F-150 S/C, 4x4, XLT, OFF-ROAD package, OE 17" rims, 4.6, AOD.

Like the above users suggest, perhaps just adjust your torsion bars. Don't go nuts though. Read all the posts first. I haven't touched my bars.

It depends what you want though....

Ideally for off-roading the best lift is just enough to clear the tires as anymore makes the vehicle more unstable on off-camber trails. As well, using fatter torsion bars or stronger (or lifted) rear springs reduces your suspension travel when your front left and rear right tires are seeing air/ruts in the road.

If you're just going for "looks" then lift it as much as you want.

I have to be honest and say that my new tires would probably look better with a 2 or 3" body lift but I'm not into "looks" over function.

I got the Wrangler AT/S tires just because of the one size up (17" tires are hard to find) and more aggressive than the factory RT/S tires. I do a LOT of hwy driving so didn't want the droning sound of M/T tires.

I used to have an 82' Toyota 4x4 pickup years ago. A friend of mine also with a Toyota got some brand new Dunlop Mud Rovers and gave me his old nearly bald bias-ply super-swampers. Because I had no lift kit or firm, lifted springs I actually went through stuff he got stuck in. Just because the factory setup had more articulation than stiff & lifted.

Anyways... my 2 cents I guess.