Another "lift / leveling" Post

Ok folks I've been reading through the posts and it's like reading a foreign language....

While I do a lot of wrenching, its more to do with routine maintenance, and bolt on mods. Back in my younger days engine swaps on cars etc. But now I'm just not willing to go the distance on major upgrades, and my ability to learn and retain is going fast

With that said I will probably in the next 6 months get new wheels, tires and would like to level / lift the truck. I'm really looking for a happy medium not crazy just something that I don't feel like an old fart when driving down the road in my area, a majority of the trucks around me you have to climb up to get in, I've got the Amp steps and I want just enough to make the step useful, I"m 6.1' and shrinking the wife is 5.11".

I think that gives and idea of what I'm looking for, so from what I've read I do not want to exceed 3" so I think a leveling kit might be enough with the new wheels and tires to give it a good "stance".

I get lost in the lingo, shackles etc.... I do not want to replace any suspension that is not needed to lift/ level, I will do that when the OEM is toast.

I have no plans to off road, and need to be able to tow a motorcycle trailer and would like to still be able to see the trailer This truck is my daily commuter

I want to go to a shop and have the lift done, I've already got a credit at discount tire when I'm ready to buy the wheels and tires but need to find a reliable shop to do the lift / level and make sure everything stays true and NO rubbing.

So here are my questions???

I'm unsure on wheel size stay 20 go lower? (lower sounds good as the ride would be better from what I understand)
Tires from what I've read 285 / ? just enough to get the tire to be barely out side the wheel well ( I have OEM fender flairs)

For the lift I found this shop, does anyone have any experience with them? Or another one in my area (South of Seattle). And what lift / leveling system do you recommend? I'm not a fan of less swab...

https://www.xo-fab.com/

Sorry if this post doesn't make much sense I'm kind of all over the board...

PS I do not mind how the truck rides currently but I do not want it to get way worse like a lowered car

 

18 inch wheels will give a better ride. If you are going with 285's, get a wheel with 0 offset. I run 285/70/18 Ridge Grapplers on a 0 offset with Bushwacker flares. As far as leveling, look at the Bilstein leveling shocks....the 5100's. They will be better than a spacer leveling kit. My current lift is 3 front and 2 rear.

 

I'm unsure on wheel size stay 20 go lower? (lower sounds good as the ride would be better from what I understand) That is correct. I went with 18s and love the ride. Do you want a more meaty tire look? Go with something smaller than 20s.

Tires from what I've read 285 / ? just enough to get the tire to be barely out side the wheel well ( I have OEM fender flairs) This is debatable - I went with 35x12.50x18, but some chopping was needed to make them not rub. To have them barely stick outside the wheel well, @Coachbuilder1 directed me that 0 to +10 offset would achieve that look. The wheels I ended up going with were +6 offset, and they are perfect for the look I wanted.

For the lift I found this shop, does anyone have any experience with them? Or another one in my area (South of Seattle). And what lift / leveling system do you recommend? I'm not a fan of less swab... @Toytec Lifts has some great lift/level kits. Bilstein has a great track record at lift/levels as well. Some of the more pricey options are Fox and King I believe. I went with a @Coachbuilder1 shackle to give my rear some height so I kept a little rake. Unsure about xo-fab.

https://www.xo-fab.com/

Sorry if this post doesn't make much sense I'm kind of all over the board...Feel free to pm me any questions as I just had my truck done a few weeks ago. I don't know half as much as some of the other users, but can definitely help where I can.

PS I do not mind how the truck rides currently but I do not want it to get way worse like a lowered car

 

Bilstein 5100 bottom setting will give you close to 1" front lift and 285.65.10 1" total lift on the truck. Middle setting can give you 1.5"+ front with minimal ribbing depending on the wheel offset you choose.

I have 18x9 +12 with 275.65.18 (32.5). Offset needed flares to minimize the dirt and mud slinging on the side offc the truck.

3" lift

3" with flares

295.70.18 delete mud guards, front flap, shim bumper .5", move plastic and drill new hole to prevent rubbing. And it still runs a little on body mount. 285.75.18 (34.8) wil do the same. 275.70.18 (33)might be better.

 

Thank you guys I will post up what I come up with before I pull any triggers...

 

Had some time to look for wheel tire combos. I’m a little concerned it’s a chicken egg thing when it comes to the sizes of the wheels tires offset, when lifting?

If I get this set up, when I go to lift it will that change things to cause rubbing?

So what do you guys think I like this wheel and tire combo? (Race Line Shift and KOs)

Should I consider changing the tire size?

 

That combo you pictured will fit stock

 

Stupid question when you say “fit stock” you mean no modifications like grinding a caliper or cutting a wheel well shroud?

 

18 inch wheels will clear the calipers no problem.

That is the oe tire size. It will stand a shrug taller in LT form though.

You can do an estimation pretty well. Go turn the wheel on your truck. Then look at your clearance on both sides. Those wheels will put the edge of the tire about 1.25 to 1.5 inches outboard of the stock position from the hub. You can measure how far the stock setup is from the body parts

 

thank you!
And when I go to lift that’s not going to change the tire wheel stance? Yes the fender height from tire will change but it won’t introduce interference?

 

No not from just a couple inch lift. I have my truck leveled with those exact tires. They look super small once you level it

 

Hmmm I don’t want too much open space :/

 

275/65 with leveled front lift