American Racing "Crush" model wheel's...when I sold the truck a little over 3 yrs ago they were still on. I bought those wheel's around 2006 and I think they're discontinued by now. Always a chance to find them on Ebay or Craigslist. 17x8 6x135mm. The 295x70x17 tires may fit at stock height or be real close...would be nice to test fit one on the front to see if they clear.

 

There are certainly upgrades you can make but they get expensive quick (like maybe more than the 6 inch lift you mentioned. a level and bigger tires are going to wear things out quicker but as long as you stay under a 2.5 level it's not going to be like changing ball joings and cv axles every other year you're just not going to get the same type of millage out of those parts as you would if you stayed stock. I don't think you'd have any issues running 295/70/17's without a level but it looks much better with one IMO.

 

After doing some reading, I'm thinking about a 2" level with 1" blocks in the rear. That should provide some clearance, but not change the geometry too badly.

 

I did the 2" with no rear blocks,it sits almost perfectly level. ,only about 1/4" lower in the front.

 

I'm trying to decide between Pro Comp and HBS, too. They both have gotten really good reviews.

 

Also heard that ReadyLift's billet 2.5" lift is really good, too. What do you guys think?

 

i have HBS... i like the idea of the steel ones myself (don't know that they are any better but in my mind they are lol) i don't like the idea of the plastic like ones like rough country but they maybe perfectly fine

 

It's great to hear about the good reviews on HBS. I ordered a 2.5" kit yesterday morning. Can't wait till it shows up.

 

I just put rancho quick struts to level my front end on 2005 fx4. I put 305/65/18 on it. The issue I have even when I had old tires is in the snow. I think the geometry is wrong because the steering and the feel of being on ice skates is mind boggling to me. It's fine on wet and dry roads but I can't figure out why the steering and timing is so off in the snow.

 

It feels like that because you have very wide tires, not because of the lift.

Wide tires have to push a lot of snow out of the way so they mostly "float" on top when driving giving you that feel. As far as ice, wider is worser (ya I know poor grammer narrow is best on ice, snow as well.

That feeling is the price you pay for having wide tires in the winter. Even my stock width 275 are far less than optimal in the snow and ice. On the plus side, they are better (gooder in really deep snow as they help keep you from high centering.

Did you put those 305's on stock wheels? Do you have a picture? I am looking at the 305 65 18 for my next pair of boots and would like to see a set on stock wheels.