How quickly do you guys with aftermarket keys wear through front ends? I'm looking at 3 inch keys with a 1.5 inch aal

 

Don't crank them past 24.25" hub to fender and you'll be fine. I had mine cranked two years before the front end wore out but I figure that was more from the 125k miles they had on them

 

So the 1.5 inch in the rear would be pointless then and throw off the level? When you say front end to you just mean ball joints and cv axels or literally every thing?

 

Yes, and yeah ball joints and UCA's because the stock ones aren't serviceable and started squeaking, and CV's because I ripped the boots bouncing it too hard offroad once on accident. Since its all to where I can service it now It should last another 75-100k if not I'm doing it myself because the shop was ridiculous.

 

Yeah I heard ball joints were a PITA. Now I'm looking at a 3 inch body lift, but I don't have the money for bigger tires :/ I hate my 265s

 

Well, here is my '97 F-150 XLT on 35" Goodyear Fierce Attitude tires with only cranked T-bars.

 

Thats a good looking truck.

 

I'm planning to upgrade my wheels/tires (315/70/17s on 17x9s) in the very near future. Just out of curiosity, and because I can't leave well enough alone, I jacked up my front end, and ran the t-bars up to see if I could get to 24 1/4". Sad to say, I only made 23 3/8"(after settling). My bolts are pretty well maxxed out. Is this a sign that my t-bars are getting weak, or just that my Scab has more front end weight than a reg. cab?
If this is normal, then I assume the aftermarket keys won't cause any problems, provided I adhere to the 24.25" GOLDEN RULE. The truck has over 230.000 miles on it, so all new front end parts are going in as well.

Also, I'm including a 2" body lift in my plans so I will have a little more freedom in wheel backspace and offset choices.

 

Its normal with age and replacing the tbars or keys will work at remedying the problem. Even at 24.25" I managed to tear a boot off road so Im thinking that number applies to on road and very light off road applications. Are you going to fab your own brackets with the body lift?

 

I wasn't really looking to maintain 24.25", as much as I was trying to see if I COULD get it at all. Like I said, truck's got a few miles on it, but engine and drivetrain are still humping along beautifully. I figured with the body lift I COULD keep the bars around 23.5"-24" and be fine with the room. I'd have to look again, but I think I found one or two 2" kits that have the bumper brackets. If not, fabbing is not a major issue. Although I manage a millwork shop that mainly deals with wood, a few of our clients have us do some metal work here and there. I'm always looking for an excuse to crank up the Miller Mig and burn some wire...lol.