97 F150 4x4 here...want to upgrade tires to 315/75R16 probably. Am thinking about going with the Eagle 589 16x10s(cheapest) but would really like a more stylish wheel. My question is...i only have the 3" body now, ready to jack the torsion bars...have a friend who drives a mean F150 around here...36x14.5 on 15x10 Welds...with a 3" body and 3" worth of torsion bar lift...i'm thinkin thats a little more than i want but want some input...go with the 35s or should i go for a bigger tire...also, whats my power loss with the 4.6? if i can't spin em, i dont want them...
-Brandon Warford
97 red F150 4x4 4.6L
3.55 gears Limited-Slip Diff.
mods:
3" body
285/75R16s stock 16x7s (just not wide enough)
lots of stereo
skidplates: coming soon!
Fav. mod:
true dual exhaust w/ 2-2chamber flows just like the lightning 'cept louder... =)

 

Well first of all you need to make sure that they will fit when you turn the wheel or when you articulate. If you need lift I wouldn't dial the torsion bars up quite as high as you friend did though. With that 4.6 and those big tires mixed with the gear ratio you got it will be hard for you to spin them tires. I would probably go for the 35" ones if you want to do as little modifications as possible. If you go with the bigger tires I would recommend some deeper gears in the range of 4:10 or even 4:56. Even if you go with the 35" 4:10 gears would be optimal. Hope that helps ya.

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See ya'll on the trail

 

3" from the torsions, wow!!!, that's a lot of added stress to front components, too much wear and tear, and minimal down travel.

Next week I am installing 35's and then as soon as I complete my budget, 4.56 gears. Just a little over gear to compensate from the extra weight and since the next set of tires after the 35's are going to be taller I won't have to change gears again.

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My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications: K&N FIPK, Stepshield door sill protectors, Performance Accesories 3" body lift, Lift Lips, Gabriel Gas Ryder LT VST Shocks and Daystar front anti-sway bar polyurethane bushings.

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck

 

big bad,

i have a question for you regarding your 285's...how much power loss did you feel with the 4.6 and 3.55's? i want this same set-up now, and can't afford a gear swap til i start my extra (weekend) job in the spring...my 4.6 seems plenty strong, but, i don't want a dog...btw, i have seen and ridden in trucks that maxxed out the torsion bars, do yourself a favor and spend the money to get the lift you want...a small lift with the bars is ok, i think...but, when i say small i'm thinking 1", or less....thanks in advance, Rich...

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-1999 F-150 4X4 SC
-4.6, auto
-3.55 gears
-Westin chrome nerf bars
-dual straight pipes
-hikerdadrich@aol.com

 

I dont remember actually losing a whole lot of power on/offroad, the only thing i have noticed is that if you are on the highway and you let off the gas, the trans. (i have auto), downshifts sooner than it used to. With the 3.55s though i can still burn rubber at red lights, and i dont seem to have lost much top end. I might eventually switch to bigger gears, but the 285s really dont effect the driveability of the truck or power, so i'm not switching til i get 35s...

-brandon warford
97 F150 xcab 4x4 red 4.6L
3.55 limited-slip diff.
3" body
285/75R16 on stock 16x7 (coming soon 315s and 16x10s)
lots of stereo
true dual flowmasters

 

Hikerrich,

I have to echo what fordman said, not really any noticable power loss EXCEPT when climbing steep grades on the highway. Even then, it's only slightly noticable... like when I have to slow down for traffic and then try to accelerate to pass the slowpokes. Fortunately, I have the 5 spd manual tranny which helps a lot

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-JonC-
*Silver 2000 4x2 F150 Supercab
*4.6L Triton V8
*BFG 285/75/16 AT KO's
*16 x 8 Panther Custom 108's
*K&N GenII FIPK
*Custom Cat-back w/ Flowmaster 50 Series
*Fabtech 6.5" "Ultimate" suspension lift
*Smittybilt nerf bars
*Extang Black Max soft tonneau
*tint/vent visors/air deflector
(no, I did NOT get stuck in
the accessory dept. at K-Mart!)

 

bigbadliftedfordman,

Does your buddy have an older F150? Cause 15" rims WILL NOT FIT a 97 + F150, our brakes our too big. 35's are gonna rub with just a 3" lift, and that is true. Believe me, I know all about it, I see this stuff every day.

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Patrick aka Mudder or MR.Daylighter of Arlington Texas (D/FW), member of the Texas Chapter club DAYLIGHTER edition F150 ®, Black 98 S/S S/C F150 4x4 0RP 5.4 V8 3.55ls, Ramsey Pro 8000 hidden winch, Grizzly roll bar, Superwhite Bulbs, 2 Baja back up lights, 2 KC 57 Series 5x7 100 watt long range lights, 10 165 watt KC Daylighters, 4 chrome, 2 Stainless, 4 black ( with 12 KC's, I come alive at night), Manik grill guard, Westin step bars, Rhino Taillight guards, Magnum bug shield, Sonic aluminum treadplate 36" tool box, Flowmaster 40 series dual exhaust, Airaid High Flow system, Edelbrock IAS shocks, 285/75/16 BFG AT/S KO, American Racing Baja wheels, personalized plates, Cobra CB radio with 3' whip antenna, Escort Laser/Radar detector, Nokia cell phone, a Mobil Speed Pass on the back window, a F150 Online sticker, and a DAYLIGHTER sticker on the front windshield, and yes, I also have been infected with the infamous door crack. More to come for the Daylighter: JBA headers, superchip, 2 more Daylighters, 2 100 watt KC's, and a Lighted Ford tailgate logo. If you would like to see pics, email me at mudder46@hotmail.com
Also the Moderator of the Ford Trucks vs. GM trucks and Ford trucks forum over on fordvschevy.com so check it out.
Check out the Toughest SOB in the WWF crush the Rock's Lincoln: http://www.amta.net/files/sc-2.avi
OH HELL YEAH!

2 BRT 4U "Go ahead, flash your brights at me, see what will happen."

Got light?
It's a KC thing.....you wouldn't understand.

See all my pics at my zing.com site: http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4294059243



[This message has been edited by mudder (edited 11-06-2000).]

 

thanks for the help guys..i guess the 285's might just end up on my truck as a little Christmas present...lol, Rich...

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-1999 F-150 4X4 SC
-4.6, auto
-3.55 gears
-Westin chrome nerf bars
-dual straight pipes
-hikerdadrich@aol.com

 

Actually, he has a 97 new body style and is still running the 15s...he can fit them because he is runnning Prime wheels that offer 3" backspacing...and yep his tires stick out a lot! With that much backspacing, the calipers will fit into the 15" wheel, but it does overly stress the lug nuts/bolts, so i dont recommend it. But it is still a good-looking setup...style # 247 in prime catalog... =)

-Brandon Warford
97 F150 4x4 Red Sport(monochromed) 4.6L
3.55 gears Limited-Slip Diff.
mods:
3" body
285/75R16s stock 16x7s (just not wide enough)
lots of stereo
skidplates: coming soon!
Fav. mod:
true dual exhaust w/ 2-2chamber flows just like the lightning 'cept louder... =)