hey everyone. noob question, but i was wondering about doing a body lift for my truck. i have a 2wd 98 xlt and wanted to do a 2 in lift. will putting bigger tires on the truck affect the accuracy of the speedometer?

 

Yeah but not too much, depending on what size you're talking. My tires are almost 33" and my speedometer reads 3 mph slow.. so 35" tires would probably be 6 mph slow or so, not really a big deal, just remember if it's 55 do 50 or whatever.. or just leave a gps on so you know how fast you're going.

Oh and I have a 3 inch BL on my truck and I like it pretty well. 2 inch would have been better, but I bought it this way.

 

Why do a body lift when you can do a level kit up front and a block out back. Easier than a body lift.

 

how would i re calibrate the speedometer if i wanted it accurate?

 

can you send me some sort of link for a how-to for that on my truck?

 

Body lifts don't throw off alignment or cause suspension/tire wear like levels and suspension lifts do. But yeah doing a body lift on an older truck can be a nightmare with rusted bolts breaking and stuff. Whichever you do you'll want to get some PB Blaster and soak everything down a few times a day for a couple days before you start.

 

If you get it re-aligned there won't be an issue with either.

 

There's always extra stress on them, plus the driveline angle is off. It's not that big a deal, body lifts mess with the steering shaft and all, plus you've got to deal with the bumpers, it's 6 in one half dozen in the other. Level kits probably are less work.

 

You could have the dealership re-flash your computer for the change in tire size, or you can buy a programmer like an SCT for about $400. Get some added horses and a better shifting truck, plus account for the tire size.

I went from 255/75R16's (about 31") to 35"s. At 70, my speedo was reading 60. In 240 miles, my odometer was reading 200.

Keep in mind, re-flashing for the tires is kind of a trial and error thing, so going back to the dealership several times, may not be the best idea.

 

I don't believe you can reflash the 98s, just like you can't the 97s. In 99 you can, because the electrical systems are totally overhauled, with the digital odometer and all. I know I can't with my 97 and I don't think you can 98s either..