I have thought about just getting a leveling kit and either a 2 or 3" body lift for my 97 xlt. How big could i go with the level and 3" body lift?

 

I'm a solid believer in anything larger than a 35 will piece by piece destroy the front end of your truck (tierods, pitman/ idler arms, ball joints etc.). You will easily clear 35's with a 4.5" inch backspaced wheel, but i would leave it at that, unless you like having your truck in the shop all the time haha

 

That is kind of what I was shooting for, 315/75/16. Thats ok I love spending money to get my truck fixed. haha, I think thats the biggest I would want to go anyways, this old ford still has to be able to turn the tires.

 

haha then you should be good