I am having a body lift put on my 08 FX4 after this semester. I just have a few questions relating to some other stuff: 1) what wheel/tire size (I am putting a/t on) would perform best for trail-riding (when I say trail, I mean like hunting trails, and powerline trails) not looking to flex the crap out of my truck or rock crawl. 2) Does anyone make a skidplate I could replace/put over my stock skid plate? 3) I really want to get a grill guard, and I know I can put one on even w/ the tow hooks dropped, but how? I've seen it done, but dont know how. 4) I have also seen body lifted truck w/ towhooks going thru stock valence cutouts.... how? I know on my buddy's 03 w/ a body lift there is block attached under the frame mount which drops the towhooks even more (I think). It seems to me if you put the block on top, you could run the hooks out of OEM slots... Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

ok first. you are gonna be paying a crap load to have a shop install a body lift on a 04-08. Unless you know someone.

second: You can run 35's with a body lift and leveling kit.

third: Id look into BFG TA KO's, Mickey Thompson ATZ's, Nitto Terra Grapplers, Toyo Open Country AT's

all these tires are good choices. some will perform better than the other in certian cituations but you probably would be happy with any of them.

I perferr BFG TA KO's

Forth: the brush gaurd can be made to fit, just requires some custom brackets.

Fifth: On the 97-03 F150's you could get chevy tow hooks that would fit inside the frame and then you can use the stock holes in the valance. Im not so sure on the 04-08.

 

I think on our truck the guard mounts where the tow hooks mount, someone will correct me if im wrong. Also you will need custom brackets for the guard to line up correctly as well as the tow hooks if you decide to keep those instead.

trimble beat me to my post.

 

HEHE i have a thing about doing that man, thanks for the back up though much appreciated.

 

well, this place in Raleigh quoted me for $800 - installed. I think he "installed", and not "for install"... but my dad agreed to pay for it... so I will try to sell my OEM 20's w/ tires and buy probly some Mickey Thompson bullet hole rims w/ Christmas money and use the money from the rims and tires to buy some 35 or 33 x 1250 R17's.

 

oh, and my reason for the body lift to get rid of my level kit to take stress off the CV axle... and suspension lift is too expensive, plus, i will have to have it installed by a shop too.

 

you will still have the rake. Basically be lower in the front still, If I remember correctly you have a 3" spacer. I would go to a 2" spacer and keep it level with a Body lift. And $800 installed is a decent price, $400 for lift and $400 for install. But you could find a lightly used suspension lift for that price and install it yourself. Just an idea.

And this site has some good deals on some rims for $400 shipped. Heres a link, look thru the pages and check them out. http://www.ntwonline.com/Garage_Sale_C284.cfm

 

well the Leveling kit is ok, just normally not more than 2.5"

what id do if i was you would be to get the bilistien 5100's adjustable struts.

Nothing looks worse than a truck leaning forward...

 

I would have suggested bilsteins but hes on a budget.

 

yeah that is true. id just get a 2" spacer and sell the 3"

 

there was a guy a auburn w/ i believe chevy tow hooks on his 06 KR. just look for tow hooks that are straight and don't go down like our stock hooks. i would atleast get a 2" spacer like everyone else said to keep your truck level.

 

well, im in the middle as far as the rake goes... I don't like factory rake so much, just a little rake, but I also like the level look. I just know that I want to make my CV axle at as good of an angle as possible. BTW, I had looked into the Bilsteins... and I wanted to do it, but I changed my mind and wanted to sit up a little higher. And as ride_002000 said, Im on a budget. But my dad's got me covered w/ the body lift and install, he did tell me the he was NOT going to drop 2K just to buy a suspension lift. and i know rough country makes a 6" for ~1200, but he said no more than 4" and Rancho was ~1900... so, yeah, not happenin... body lift it is, and now as far as the spacer goes - i "might" consider the daystar 1", just to minimize the rake look.

 

Go with the Auto Spring 1.5". Thats a company I can trust, other than daystar.

 

I disagree....

Nothing looks worse than a truck that has a negative rake!

I have the MT ATZ's and I love them! If I'm not mistaken, They are cheaper than the BFG's.

Definitely put a spacer in the front. I'd go 2".

Why not just keep your 20's and put some 35x12.5's on them and save some cash?

 

The old cali squat or bull dog.

hahahaha

But i agree on keeping the stock wheels for the time being.