Lifts, Wheels, and Leveling Kits
 

I been going back and forth with some friends of mine on this subject and wanted to know what your opinions are on what brands and what set ups you think are the best. I'm talking about tire size on stock and after market rims, after market rims, lift kit height and brand, and leveling kits. some people say put a leveling kit on my 6.0, go with 35x12.50 tires on my stock rims, and dont go over a 4" suspension lift. i personally like big tall trucks but i also dont want the height to be a problem. i'm thinking a 6" lift and i can still pull a gooseneck trailer? if you have pics of your lifted truck, post it! i'd like to see whats out there without having to "just google it".:c:

I don't think you're going to be pulling goosenecks with a 6" lift and 37" tires... which is what size most use on that lift. I run a leveling kit in front, F350 blocks in rear, and 315/70/17 BFG A/T's Had to step up to an 8" drop hitch already for my camper. The 6" I had worked, but it was slightly nose high, which is dangerous. If you're towing heavy and towing often, I would do the same, forget the lift. It can be done, but what's the point.

What's your budget and what do you use the truck for, those should have been my first two questions.

Madcreek!!

I was on the same path that you are going down now (lift looks bad a$$ on these) but, when i started to think about all the places i wouldnt be able to go anymore (i.e. parking garages, my own garage) also having problems hooking up to my trailers, i had second thoughts and now decided to keep it stock. Not to mention the lifts are through the roof:scare2: if u do it right and if it's not done right then you end up with a whole lot of additional issues..

I'm running a full 6" up front and 6" blocks out back with 18" rims wrapped with 35/12.50 Nittos. I would not recommend this setup for a bed-pull trailer, I backed under my dad's gooseneck and with the hitch an inch or so above the bed to judge for the hitch I only had about 2" of daylight between the trailer and my bed rails which would drop to about -1 1/2" cresting onto the highway from his road (his truck is stock height and he tagged the bed pulling off his road)Attachment 41716

I use the truck for a daily driver and I'll be hauling cows with a gooseneck stock trailer. As for budget, I guess whatever an affordable set up would cost. I have no clue how much that would be. A friend suggested just go with a leveling kit in the front and I could put up to 35" x 12.50 tires on my stock 18" rims and they would fit and look good. Also, when the tire calls out the width, is that measurement across the tread or the overall width (sidewall too)? What consists of a leveling kit and could I machine one in our shop?:humm:

I wouldn't go much bigger than that towing a gooser. That setup will look good though. Yes you can machine your own, that's what I did, but they're only about $25 on ebay too... Ford F250 F350 4WD Leveling Lift kit 2005-2010 2.5" | eBay

I believe the 12.5 width is the tire width, not the tread, actual tread width depends on the wheel you put them on. I'm running that exact setup, except 17" wheels.

Tires will be the biggest cost for this setup, obviously.

I am looking to go with a similar set up. Anyone have pics?

I did a two inch lift myself for under 100 buck and less than an hours time. I added two inch blocks under the spring pads in the front. 2" lift blocks and longer u bolts in the rear. I made the front blocks from 2" bar stock. Drilled a 5/8" hole in the center. You need 2 10.9 x 100mm replacement bolts. You need at least a grade 5 bolt. I did the whole lift for $97 buck in parts and had it done in about an hour. It wont change your alignment much but it may change you steering wheels center. No big deal to loosen the adjustment sleeve and center the wheel. It wont hurt to check the alignment since it does slighty affect the castor angle. If I could figure out how to post a picture I would show you all some pics. I saw the same lift kit on Ebay and I figured I could make it as easy and not have to buy one.

Made mine too. Made mine just like the ebay link though out of billet aluminum, even chamfered it. Then swapped my stock F250 blocks from the back for a set of stock OEM F350 blocks. Didn't pay a dime for any of it! :tttt:

I will wash the truck up today (finally some nice weather out this way) and get some pics of it with the leveling kit and the bigger tires. :c:

Ok finally got a good side shot of it now.

FR: 2.5" billet coil spacer (DKM custom <-- ME)
RR: F350 OEM rear blocks
Tires: 315/70/17 BFG A/T's on OEM 17x7" wheels.

Attachment 41577

More pics here: https://www.dieselbombers.com/show-t...tml#post759756

im thinkin about goin with the skyjacker 6" suspension lift. Is that a good lift?

It's not terrible, but certainly not one of the best. Just an el-cheapo setup to get the truck in the air. All depends how much you want to spend...

I have a 6" skyjacker lift, its no icon or rize lift. As long as you put a good shocks on with it like bilsteins, it rides good and performs good offroad. If i could do it over i would go w/ the icon 7" lift w/ 4 link up front

Looks good! :tu:

I'm really wanting to get some 20 x 10 BMF SOTA's with the death metal finish and a new set of 35x13.5x20 tires (unsure of what to get yet).

Thanks man! I like the wheels a lot , but the tires suck. Can't wait for new ones. They handle well but, I never heard a tire make such a high pitch tone before. I think I'm going to get more of a street/ all terrain tire this time. This truck is not going to see the mud like my old one did. I learned my lesson with that one. Has 37in tires but, I was thinking 35in tires this time. I was worried that they will look like low profile tires though. I did have to trim a little so these didn't rub, but they do just a slight bit if I am turning and there is a hop up on something.

Personally I like the 8 hole aluminum ford wheels, and i also like the 08-10 8 slash and 8 spoke wheels. I dont see many aftermarket wheels i like. As for tires, Cooper ATRs are about the best tire on the market. They dont get worn out in 20k miles, they have super grip, great off road, and the other tires that are decent are the Dunlop Fierces. as long as you rotate the fierces youll have good life out of them.

as for lifting, 4 inch is about the highest i would like to have a solid front axle truck. Anything above that your looking at adding traction bars, expensive dual front stabilizers etc etc.

I have a leveling kit on mine on a set of 285-75-16's and my truck is 6'10" to the crown of the roof, pulls in but cant close the door on my 7' garage.