I found this on another site and it seems to give more options than any other post I have seen. I would have thought that someone would be able to answer exactly what size offset wheel, how wide of a wheel, what size tire, where they will interfer, ie: rear wheel well or bumper or suspension and so on. But it is vague about what fits without cutting up the fenders or lifting to the moon. I don't want a massive lift but I do want massive tires.
Lifting
How much to lift a truck and what size tire will fit is probably the biggest question for those in the 4x4 community. What is often overlooked is how a particular setup will perform on and off the road and what one really needs vs. thinks one wants.
To a point larger and more aggressive tires will increase offroad performance. But if your drive train, gearing, braking and steering aren't adequate for the tires you choose to run, you'll loose any advantage of larger tires in the offroad environment to a decrease in power, breakage and inability to safely steer or stop. This point is generally mute, as most people will run larger tires for the sole purpose of having a more aggressive image while driving to work.
Why a lift?
fit larger tires
better approach, departure and breakover angles
more flexibility and travel for offroad articulation or impact protection
sit higher on road and look mean
Downside of lifting a truck
higher center of gravity
generally an adverse affect on steering
increases driveshaft angles
affects braking and maneuverability through altered geometry and from improper spring rates
many setups may not be stable or safe for highway use
inability to see things right in front of hood - such as rocks, stumps and cars in most parking lots
What size do you need? This is a very subjective question indeed.
31" tires are generally sufficient for most that do a little offroading, hunting ect. They also generally fit without modification or real change in performance.
32" x 10.50 will fit on a late model Bronco and fill out the fender well. A little better than 31" for offroad use.
33" x 10.50 will fit with stock 8" wheels without a lift. This is actually a pretty aggressive size tire and is more than most outdoorsmen will need. Chains will not fit. 4.10 gears will help out.
33" x 12.50 - will fit on 7.5" wheels (92 on will need to move their bumper 1/2" forward), otherwise you will need to trim the fenders or go with a 2" lift with 8" rims or 3" lift with 10" rims. 4.10 gears will help out.
35 x 12.50 on stock 8" rims will fit with a 4 inch lift. This is what many of the race trucks use in the Baja and is what Team America used in the Warn competition in Morocco in the early 1990's (4" Rancho lift, engine mods, Dana 60 rear axles). 4.10 gears are ok, but 4.56 are better. A Ford 8.8 will handle these tires for most offroading, but an upgrade to Dana 60 or 9 inch is needed if you are very aggressive offroad.
36-38" tires are more than needed for most offroading, unless you are running deep mud or tying to crawl over car sized boulders. You will need 6 plus inches to fit these or be willing to do a lot of fender trimming. 4.56 or lower gears are a must, and your Dana 44 up and 8.8 in the rear need to be upgraded if you plan on driving offroad.
Anything larger needs one-ton gearing (axles, low gears, brakes, steering upgrades), a large amount of lift, and a more powerful power plant - unless you plan on just driving to the grocery store and to and from work, while leaving a good amount of safety space between you and the car in front of you since you won't be able to stop very well.
Now this is Extreme!
http://www.supermotors.net/clubs/superford...gistry/26/54663
Lifting
How much to lift a truck and what size tire will fit is probably the biggest question for those in the 4x4 community. What is often overlooked is how a particular setup will perform on and off the road and what one really needs vs. thinks one wants.
To a point larger and more aggressive tires will increase offroad performance. But if your drive train, gearing, braking and steering aren't adequate for the tires you choose to run, you'll loose any advantage of larger tires in the offroad environment to a decrease in power, breakage and inability to safely steer or stop. This point is generally mute, as most people will run larger tires for the sole purpose of having a more aggressive image while driving to work.
Why a lift?
fit larger tires
better approach, departure and breakover angles
more flexibility and travel for offroad articulation or impact protection
sit higher on road and look mean
Downside of lifting a truck
higher center of gravity
generally an adverse affect on steering
increases driveshaft angles
affects braking and maneuverability through altered geometry and from improper spring rates
many setups may not be stable or safe for highway use
inability to see things right in front of hood - such as rocks, stumps and cars in most parking lots
What size do you need? This is a very subjective question indeed.
31" tires are generally sufficient for most that do a little offroading, hunting ect. They also generally fit without modification or real change in performance.
32" x 10.50 will fit on a late model Bronco and fill out the fender well. A little better than 31" for offroad use.
33" x 10.50 will fit with stock 8" wheels without a lift. This is actually a pretty aggressive size tire and is more than most outdoorsmen will need. Chains will not fit. 4.10 gears will help out.
33" x 12.50 - will fit on 7.5" wheels (92 on will need to move their bumper 1/2" forward), otherwise you will need to trim the fenders or go with a 2" lift with 8" rims or 3" lift with 10" rims. 4.10 gears will help out.
35 x 12.50 on stock 8" rims will fit with a 4 inch lift. This is what many of the race trucks use in the Baja and is what Team America used in the Warn competition in Morocco in the early 1990's (4" Rancho lift, engine mods, Dana 60 rear axles). 4.10 gears are ok, but 4.56 are better. A Ford 8.8 will handle these tires for most offroading, but an upgrade to Dana 60 or 9 inch is needed if you are very aggressive offroad.
36-38" tires are more than needed for most offroading, unless you are running deep mud or tying to crawl over car sized boulders. You will need 6 plus inches to fit these or be willing to do a lot of fender trimming. 4.56 or lower gears are a must, and your Dana 44 up and 8.8 in the rear need to be upgraded if you plan on driving offroad.
Anything larger needs one-ton gearing (axles, low gears, brakes, steering upgrades), a large amount of lift, and a more powerful power plant - unless you plan on just driving to the grocery store and to and from work, while leaving a good amount of safety space between you and the car in front of you since you won't be able to stop very well.
Now this is Extreme!
http://www.supermotors.net/clubs/superford...gistry/26/54663
Last edited by a moderator: