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New to site, New to trucks, Lots of dumb questions inside!
Hey everybody. New member here! I have some questions for you guys, hopefully you can get through them without hanging yourselves :D
Quick backstory, always been a car guy growing up, never a truck guy. Well, times have changed, family is growing, and as a new home owner, I needed a truck as WELL as a larger cab for the kiddies. Well, my obvious choice was a full sized truck, a vehicle that could fit the whole family AND make trips to the dump, home depot, etc. So a few weeks ago, we picked up a 2012 3.5l ecoboost FX4, in black, with 19k miles. So far this truck is flat out awesome. First truck I have ever owned. I went from a tiny subaru, to a big ol F150... feels huge to me! Anyway, I know almost nothing about trucks (i.e. brands of aftermarkets, dos, don'ts,), and I had a few questions I hope you guys can answer for me. I have been reading every thread I can find till my eyes bleed, but I still feel like I need some personal guidance. I just can't put it all together. 1.) I plan on saving my actual lift till my 100k warranty is a lot closer to being out... but I DO want to put on a leveling kit. (from what I have read, a lift = warranty zap!) I found a how-to video on youtube of a leveling kit, but they were grinding things off of something-or-other, so that wasn't for me.. I'd like a nice 2.5" leveling kit that can be swapped on OR off, without me having to cut up my truck. Brand? Link? 2"? 2.5"? 2.) I have the stock 20" scorpion tires, half worn, and I am pretty sure these tires flat-out suck. We don't get a lot of weather out here in western WA, but we CAN get some snow for a month or so, and I live in a pretty rural area where the roads aren't plowed, so I need a tire that can safely get my family through the crappy roads of dirt, snow, light mud, zombie apocalypse, etc. I am willing to sacrifice some comfort for some "ability", and that bad-ass look. My dilemma is this. In the future, I want a real lift. Probably a 4 or 6" lift (I know nothing about lifts, I just love how they look, and know they will allow me to run a larger tire). I want to buy an 18" wheel NOW, that I can put tires on that will fit a leveled truck... that will ALSO work in the future with bigger tires, when I finally get my real lift, so I am only buying wheels once. Does that make sense? So for example, is there a nice 18" black wheel I can get today that I can rock some 33"s on now (leveled, assuming 33s fit on leveled).. .but in the future, using the same wheel, rock some 35"s after I get a lift? What tire would you recommend for this light mud/snow/highway duty? What wheel size 18x9? 18x10? 33s fit with just a level? I like that slightly wider bulkier look. Sorry for the vagueness of my questions... I barely even know enough to know what to even ask! |
Originally Posted by Cpt.America
(Post 4315282)
Hey everybody. New member here! I have some questions for you guys, hopefully you can get through them without hanging yourselves :D
Quick backstory, always been a car guy growing up, never a truck guy. Well, times have changed, family is growing, and as a new home owner, I needed a truck as WELL as a larger cab for the kiddies. Well, my obvious choice was a full sized truck, a vehicle that could fit the whole family AND make trips to the dump, home depot, etc. So a few weeks ago, we picked up a 2012 3.5l ecoboost FX4, in black, with 19k miles. So far this truck is flat out awesome. First truck I have ever owned. I went from a tiny subaru, to a big ol F150... feels huge to me! Anyway, I know almost nothing about trucks (i.e. brands of aftermarkets, dos, don'ts,), and I had a few questions I hope you guys can answer for me. I have been reading every thread I can find till my eyes bleed, but I still feel like I need some personal guidance. I just can't put it all together. 1.) I plan on saving my actual lift till my 100k warranty is a lot closer to being out... but I DO want to put on a leveling kit. (from what I have read, a lift = warranty zap!) I found a how-to video on youtube of a leveling kit, but they were grinding things off of something-or-other, so that wasn't for me.. I'd like a nice 2.5" leveling kit that can be swapped on OR off, without me having to cut up my truck. Brand? Link? 2"? 2.5"? 2.) I have the stock 20" scorpion tires, half worn, and I am pretty sure these tires flat-out suck. We don't get a lot of weather out here in western WA, but we CAN get some snow for a month or so, and I live in a pretty rural area where the roads aren't plowed, so I need a tire that can safely get my family through the crappy roads of dirt, snow, light mud, zombie apocalypse, etc. I am willing to sacrifice some comfort for some "ability", and that bad-ass look. My dilemma is this. In the future, I want a real lift. Probably a 4 or 6" lift (I know nothing about lifts, I just love how they look, and know they will allow me to run a larger tire). I want to buy an 18" wheel NOW, that I can put tires on that will fit a leveled truck... that will ALSO work in the future with bigger tires, when I finally get my real lift, so I am only buying wheels once. Does that make sense? So for example, is there a nice 18" black wheel I can get today that I can rock some 33"s on now (leveled, assuming 33s fit on leveled).. .but in the future, using the same wheel, rock some 35"s after I get a lift? What tire would you recommend for this light mud/snow/highway duty? What wheel size 18x9? 18x10? 33s fit with just a level? I like that slightly wider bulkier look. Sorry for the vagueness of my questions... I barely even know enough to know what to even ask! |
I couldn't speak to the needing to cut anything...That doesn't sound necessary. Link the video? Even a level can effect your warranty, especially if it is premature failure of a front end suspension component. I'm not trying to be a scrooge and tell you to keep your truck stock though! I'm seriously contemplating it myself. However, I can't justify spending 20%-25% of what it would cost me to get a 4" rancho kit on just a level.
A lot of guys step down to 18" wheels when they lift, and on the flip side, a lot of guys step up to 20" wheels when they lift. I'd personally keep the 20". I'd start looking at Cooper, Toyo, and Nitto all terrain tires that are rated M+S and decide which one you like the look of best while trying to keep price in mind. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of those 3 brands all terrains. For what reason do you want to step down to 18"? |
Originally Posted by pimpjuice
(Post 4315303)
Are you actually looking to go off-roading or are wanting a lift just to give the truck a aggressive look? Because you can do all that without lifting it.
In the winter, some of the roads out here get really wash-boarded out when the snow packs into an ice-like road surface... the larger the tire, the better the ride over garbage surfaces. AND... "the look" of course. All of the above... but no, I don't technicall off-road the truck... but sometimes out here the "roads" become "semi-off-road", in the winter.
Originally Posted by Rougen123
(Post 4315304)
I could
For what reason do you want to step down to 18"? |
Here's my opinion. Take it for what it's worth! A 1.5" autospring kit will get your truck almost level. There should be NO cutting, welding, anything like that. Straight forward install for someone who knows what they are doing. If you aren't wanting a true "MT" tire, I think the KO2's or Duratracs are very good tires. If you're looking for a little less aggressive AT, check out the Cooper AT3. The size depends totally on you. With that level you could fit anywhere up to about a 34" tire with minimal trimming, I just wouldn't go to wide as it may cause some rubbing. Again, just my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree. Welcome to the truck world and to the forum!
Can't help on the wheel part. I've never had aftermarket wheels. I love my 20" FX wheels! |
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Originally Posted by Cpt.America
(Post 4315322)
off-roading? not in the immediate future. But I also don't want to find some muddy dirt road one day and get stuck cause i'm rocking the grocery getter tires either.
In the winter, some of the roads out here get really wash-boarded out when the snow packs into an ice-like road surface... the larger the tire, the better the ride over garbage surfaces. AND... "the look" of course. All of the above... but no, I don't technicall off-road the truck... but sometimes out here the "roads" become "semi-off-road", in the winter. Less wheel + more tire = less risk of damage to the wheel, slightly better ride over bumpies.. and I think it looks better. (and a better price, from what I understand) You could always rock my setup. Im very please with it. :thumbup::cool: |
What's your current setup pimpjuice?
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Originally Posted by Rougen123
(Post 4315353)
What's your current setup pimpjuice?
2.5 front 3.0 rear on 35x20s |
I never saw much need for a level or a lift other than looks. Unless you like rock crawling. Goodyear DuraTrac 275x70/18's will get you through most anything. I live in Michigan and I ain't been stuck yet (knock on wood) Next thing you need is to call 5 Star and get your truck a good tune. :thumbsup:
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I have installed dozens of leveling kits on Yotas, Chevys, Fords, Etc. The only think that may need to be grinded is the studs on the top of the factory coilover. Sometimes the length of the studs are to long to allow the spacer to fit onto the coilover completely. I have NEVER had to cut the studs on a 09-14. Did a 2" AS on a 15 Silverado and a 2.5" AS on a 07 F150 last week and both required grinding of the studs.
Wayne |
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