1987 F150 Advice - In Process of Purchasing
09-26-2017, 08:17 AM
#1
1987 F150 Advice - In Process of Purchasing
1987 F150 4" Suspension w/ 33x12.50
I am currently in the process of purchasing a 1987 F150 from an extended family member. This truck is a 1987 F150, Long Bed, Regular Cab, new crate 302 FI, great paint on body and frame, 4 speed (granny low first gear), 4" suspension lift, sitting on 33x12.50R15 (but wheels are so so and tires need to be replaced from dry rot. The truck was being fixed up due to be a late family members and the kid had no intention on selling it so it has been fixed up nice.
I have committed to buying the truck because it's a good deal and a great looking truck. I am trying to decide if I just want to change the wheels to a 16" (due to having a good deal on tires) and roll with the 33's or if I should add a 3" body lift and change it to a 35. I love a 35 and think the truck would look awesome with them, but my main concern is with the gears. It has the granny low first but when driving it daily with that transmission you mostly use second gear and I don't want it to be too high. With a 35" tire what it a good gear to run or should I just leave well enough alone. Also if I add the body and gears a friend (mechanic) and myself would install so it would basically only be parts cost.
Last edited by SnippyBLACKHAWK; 09-26-2017 at 08:23 AM.
09-26-2017, 08:37 AM
#2
Welcome!! That's a nice lookin' truck and sounds like a good buy, knowing its past and current state. If it were me, I'd opt for the 33"s. The 302 is anemic and gear changes quickly make this lust for an old Ford get expensive quick. Plus with the oddball TTB suspension, the lift is expensive as you need to drop all mounting points to match stock geometry or you'll have a camber issue.
Still with an updated wheel/tire combo, it will be a great facelift on that truck. Please keep us posted whatever you decide, always good to see a nice bricknose posted!!
Still with an updated wheel/tire combo, it will be a great facelift on that truck. Please keep us posted whatever you decide, always good to see a nice bricknose posted!!
09-26-2017, 08:47 AM
#3
Senior Member
First of all, great color 
Second of all, I don't think I would change a thing about it - I love the stance. You will find that you will have a much better wheel selection with 15's. They don't make many wheels with the necessary negative offset above the 15" range. 35's will challenge a 302, but since you have a granny gear and no overdrive it might actually improve your highway mpg. Really it comes down to looking up what gear ratios your transmission has and then figuring out how that plays with your axle gearing ratio.
I would shy away from body lifts all together. If you go with 35's you might actually be able to get it to fit on the bricknose - usually they rub the bumper on an aeronose unless you have 6" of lift.
I have been looking at doing 33's on my truck as well with new wheels - some good deals I have found:
$333 shipped for 4 wheels
https://www.4wheelparts.com/Wheels/P...n=PXA1069-5185
33's for $560 after rebates
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-NEW-33-12-...1Zuu9r&vxp=mtr
^^^I have those tires in a 32 right now and they are freakin' awesome.
Second of all, I don't think I would change a thing about it - I love the stance. You will find that you will have a much better wheel selection with 15's. They don't make many wheels with the necessary negative offset above the 15" range. 35's will challenge a 302, but since you have a granny gear and no overdrive it might actually improve your highway mpg. Really it comes down to looking up what gear ratios your transmission has and then figuring out how that plays with your axle gearing ratio.
I would shy away from body lifts all together. If you go with 35's you might actually be able to get it to fit on the bricknose - usually they rub the bumper on an aeronose unless you have 6" of lift.
I have been looking at doing 33's on my truck as well with new wheels - some good deals I have found:
$333 shipped for 4 wheels
https://www.4wheelparts.com/Wheels/P...n=PXA1069-5185
33's for $560 after rebates
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-NEW-33-12-...1Zuu9r&vxp=mtr
^^^I have those tires in a 32 right now and they are freakin' awesome.
09-26-2017, 12:03 PM
#4
Thanks for the advice guys. The only reason I really considered changing the diameter of the wheels is that I work for a tire manufacture and can get a great deal on mud tires as a benefit, the down fall is the selection for a 15" and even some restrictions for a 16". I'm still very undecided on everything. I agree that body lifts are always a last resort and I might just stick with the 33's as it is a good looking truck. I might save the monster truck look for another build that contains some serious cubic inches.
10-30-2017, 08:18 PM
#5
I know it's been a little bit but I wanted to keep you guys up to date. I've finished purchasing and have done a little work to it. First I had to fix timing, then replaced door locks since they didn't have the keys, tailgate lock was adjusted and wiper blade issue fixed. I also had a set of 16x10 pro comps installed with a set of the Yokohama MT G003 in 33x12.50. I have added pics.
Now it is rubbing on the inside of the tires on the radius arm right before full lock. I'm pretty happy with the look and really don't like the rub. I wasn't sure when ordering the wheels but in that size its the only offset I could get. I have the option of a spacer to not only get a wider stance but also eliminate the rub, .5" to 1" would do it but I really never liked them.
Now it is rubbing on the inside of the tires on the radius arm right before full lock. I'm pretty happy with the look and really don't like the rub. I wasn't sure when ordering the wheels but in that size its the only offset I could get. I have the option of a spacer to not only get a wider stance but also eliminate the rub, .5" to 1" would do it but I really never liked them.
