I just got my first truck and it is a 1998 F150 4x4 XLT with the 4.6 engine. I am wanting to lift it and get 35' tires but cant afford a 6in lift. Would the tires fit with a 3in body lift?

 

yes.

you may have some rubbing at full lock and you will more than likely need to trim your lower valance, but you should be fine. there are a lot of people running 35's with a 3"

 

check out wandells gallery..hes got pics of both 33s and 35s on a three inch body lift

 

Yep. Just click the little camera icon by my info.

 

i think im running the stock 3.55 gears would they be ok with the 35's or would i have to regear? If so, how much would that cost?

wandell: which of your picks are on the 33' and which are on the 35's

 

I only have a few with 35's and they are labled.

 

I don't think this was mentioned, sorry if it was, but I think in order to fit 35's with a 3 inch body lift you need to crank your torsion bars. I'm pretty sure Wandel has his cranked

 

Yeah, but most everyone does. Even with stock sizes, most people will crank them up to level the truck out.

 

how much do you have to crank them up to level out the truck?

 

It depends solely on the truck... mine are up 3/4 of the way and the truck sits alittle higher in the front. Id say crank them 3 full turns each drop the truck back down to the ground and see if you like the stance then lift the frontend back up and start cranking agian.

 

does cranking the bars change the ride of the truck?

 

yes every turn you make on the torsion bar keys (to tighten them) makes more preload on the torsion bars themselve giving you more lift... but also makes the front suspension more stiff! It really doesnt bother me im used to driving trucks with straight axle up front with leafs on all for corners. If you realize you arent driving a luxury sedan then you will be fine.. IMO a truck should have a stiffer ride.

 

even cranked fully it's not that bad of a ride. it really only stiffens up noticeably over bumps.

 

i want to crank my bars up- would i have to get an aal for the rear?

 

Only if you want to raise the rear.