lifting a truck

[lewy]

Keep it practical and on 33-35's imo. Priced a set of new 40's yet?

[Grizzly95]

I've run up to a 38" tire on a 92 Chevy. Was a good truck, but I'll never do it again. I'll build a toy for that anymore. Bigger tires suck in the ice and slick snow, the width is what gets you. On my super duty I may level the front and that's all. It run's a 33 stock. The other one that gets you is the wheel width, the wider the wheel and offset the smaller tire you will be able to clear.
Like said earlier, get a good lift. And plan on rebuilding the front end if it isn't good and tight now. Any worn part will be magnified by the larger tires. Kits are easy to install based on you mechanic knowledge and the tools you have. Of course a good hoist helps. I've probably lifted more than 1000 rigs in my days sentenced to hard labor at les Schwab, it's probably the only thing I miss about that place.

[Special T]

That would be a perfect rig to run military rubber on. Either the Goodyear 37in or some of the 20 in military tires in the 40" range. The 37s can be bought many places and run on steel or alum wheels. Some of the 20 in military can be run on newer alum rims and are about the right width The 12.5R20 would be the perfect 40" tire but are harder to find. The 1200R20s can be put on the same rims however the tires are a LOT heavier. Another size that is sweet is the 14.5R20. All of those sizes are popular with people running Unimogs, the smaller older ones 404's and such.  Thats a cool truck and would look sweet with 37's and still be some what functional.

[Rick]

Plan on more maintenance once its lifted. Big tires are hard on suspension parts.

[TheHunt]

I have lifted many trucks. 

I am a minimalist with tall truck tires unless you are willing to pay big dollars.  If you go super big like 38 or 40 inch tall tires you have to re-gear your axles. 

If you go with 33 or 35 max you will have plenty of height to go most places.  I have 33's on a 2008 Toyota Tacoma that my son has at WSU.  I have a 2012 F150 eco boost which will most likely get 35's.   Going a little taller will not require a re-gearing.  Save you money.  Getting a  tire width at 10 inch or 9 inch will cause your gas mileage to drop but better then a 12 inch wide tire.

If you are a full size truck 35 inch is not a big reach.  If you are a mid size truck 33 would be my choice.  Identify the tires first then work back words the size of the lift. To put those tall of tires you will need a two inch spacer or minimal 2 inch lift for most rigs.

[batch]

i have have had a couple of older ford 3/4tons. i would go with no more than 4 inches of lift. I think you can do whatever you need to with 35" tires. would not worry about having to rehear with that tires size. I assume your motor is a 351 or 400. which neither are power houses but will do the job. i ran 36"s with a 360 in my 76 ford with no problems. Don't know how you drive in the mountains but i like to keep things as low as possible. For those trucks most leaf spring lifts are going to give you what you need. if you  can afford rear leafs i would go with the but not necessary .

[huntnfmly]

I had a 78 ford 1/2 ton 3in. Suspension lift and a 3in body lift and 39 1/2 in. Superswampers.worked really good.The smaller suspension lift kept it from messing up center of gravity and body lift cleared the tires

[HuntandFish]

I've run up to a 38" tire on a 92 Chevy. Was a good truck, but I'll never do it again. I'll build a toy for that anymore. Bigger tires suck in the ice and slick snow, the width is what gets you. On my super duty I may level the front and that's all. It run's a 33 stock. The other one that gets you is the wheel width, the wider the wheel and offset the smaller tire you will be able to clear.
Like said earlier, get a good lift. And plan on rebuilding the front end if it isn't good and tight now. Any worn part will be magnified by the larger tires. Kits are easy to install based on you mechanic knowledge and the tools you have. Of course a good hoist helps. I've probably lifted more than 1000 rigs in my days sentenced to hard labor at les Schwab, it's probably the only thing I miss about that place.

Not trying to start a debate on this thread.... But....you are incorrect on the point that wider tires are not good in the snow and ice, and narrow is the way to go for performance? Most guys incorrectly compare narrow AT tread pattern tires to big MT blocky style tread patterns on the snow/ice. It would be better to run a wide AT tire in your favorite snow/ice tread than run a narrow version!

Anyway, just had to comment on that! Carry on.

Regards,
H&F

[Buzz2401]

Debating narrow tires against wide tires is like a chevy vs ford battle.  There is no right anwser and everybody has an opinion.

[WA hunter14]

can you do just a 3 inch body lift and get away with 35's?

[Westside88]

I'd stay away from body lifts. These trucks are pretty basic to lift. I had 33's on a 76 with just add a lift springs. (Just an extra leaf slipped in) everyone has opinions but body lifts cause other issues like needing to extend wiring , hoses etc. they don't look god same either.  IMHO 35's are about the biggest for a usable truck of that style, but everyone has their own preference.

[WA hunter14]

then what about the front?

[fish vacuum]

can someone give me the basics on lifting a truck?

The basics are that your steering and braking parts will wear out faster. Big tires are more expensive and the aggressive tread on most of those big tires will wear out faster. If you don't adjust your gears for bigger tires, your transmission will take a beating, as will other parts of your drive train. So, you'll be able to clear more obstacles and drive in deeper snow, but you'll have an increased chance of parts failing and leaving you stranded.
Oh, and your MPG will take a hit, adding to the cost each day.
Have fun. 

[Grizzly95]

Not trying to start a debate on this thread.... But....you are incorrect on the point that wider tires are not good in the snow and ice, and narrow is the way to go for performance? Most guys incorrectly compare narrow AT tread pattern tires to big MT blocky style tread patterns on the snow/ice. It would be better to run a wide AT tire in your favorite snow/ice tread than run a narrow version!

In my personal runnings it came down to pounds per square inch. Wide tires spin more on the nasty stuff. There is a balance where power cleans the lugs and such. Mainly mudding. When buckshot was still building tires they had a tall narrow tire that was hands down better than any standard 35-12.50. I know rubber compound was a factor also, but even with my SD there is a difference in wide and narrow.

[WA hunter14]

Not trying to start a debate on this thread.... But....you are incorrect on the point that wider tires are not good in the snow and ice, and narrow is the way to go for performance? Most guys incorrectly compare narrow AT tread pattern tires to big MT blocky style tread patterns on the snow/ice. It would be better to run a wide AT tire in your favorite snow/ice tread than run a narrow version!

In my personal runnings it came down to pounds per square inch. Wide tires spin more on the nasty stuff. There is a balance where power cleans the lugs and such. Mainly mudding. When buckshot was still building tires they had a tall narrow tire that was hands down better than any standard 35-12.50. I know rubber compound was a factor also, but even with my SD there is a difference in wide and narrow.

there is already a thread with a ton of back and forth about tire width...