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3.5 lift or 4.5 lift 35 or 36 inch tires

ProjectBronco70

Full Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2005
Messages
271
Loc.
Tennessee
I don't want to beat a dead horse to death (no pun intended) but I am debating which type of lift to put on a 3.5 inch or a 4.5 inch. I will not be adding a body lift. My tire choices are probably going to be 35 or 36 inch. I am trying to avoid having to lengthen or add new driveshafts. I will probably be using my rig for 80% street and 20% trail.
 

Merlin76

Sr. Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2002
Messages
618
I have 3.5" suspension and 2" Body lift on mine with 36" Super Swampers....
 

71 BRNCO

Sr. Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
786
I greatly debated this same question concerning what size lift and tire to choose. I ended up purchasing a 4.5" lift. I went with 4.5" BC Broncos front Coils, 4.5" Wild Horses 11 leaf rear springs, F-250 front shock mounts, and cross enterprises rear inboard shock hoop. With 33's the truck has to much lift and didn't look right to me, so I upgraded to 35" Goodyear MTR's. I think that I am going to slap a one inch WH body lift on to finish the package. I have standard flares but with warflares I think I could run 36's and still have good clearance. my truck is a street truck so no need to go bigger then 35's .No pictures here at work right now, maybe I can get you one tomorrow or something. Let me know if you have any questions.
Kyle
 

eds66bronco

Bronco Guru
Joined
Aug 3, 2004
Messages
1,119
Loc.
Essex, Vermont
ProjectBronco70 said:
I don't want to beat a dead horse to death (no pun intended) but I am debating which type of lift to put on a 3.5 inch or a 4.5 inch. I will not be adding a body lift. My tire choices are probably going to be 35 or 36 inch. I am trying to avoid having to lengthen or add new driveshafts. I will probably be using my rig for 80% street and 20% trail.

if you dont want drivetrain mods then a 3.5 or more susp lift will need longer shafts if you plan on flexing any offroad and i wouldn't go any more than a 3 inch body lift but that alone still won't fit 36's unless you own a body saw. i have a 3.5 and 2 inch body and will be going with 36"
 

Socal Tom

Bronco Guru
Joined
Feb 12, 2004
Messages
2,442
Loc.
San Diego, CA
I'm running a 3 1/2 suspension lift ( bC front coils and WH leafs). I am running 35 inch MTRs. My cutouts use all that the gorrilla warflares allow without bending them. THe fronts are fine, but the rears rub hard when I get twisted up. This is with the lowered rear bump stops. You'll get the same thing with a 4 1/2 inch suspension lift unless you limit the uptravel. My suggestion is to go with the WH 1 inch body lift bushings, and a 3 1/2 inch lift.
Tom
 

RajinCajun

Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 22, 2003
Messages
1,587
Loc.
HawleyTX, La orig.
I have 5.5" suspension lift, no body lift as of yet(that may change because of engine/hood clearance) Check my gallery to see how well my 35x14.50-15 Boggers clear even when flexed...the suspension is still tight and doesn't flex great, but I have had no problems rubbing and I still have not cut the fenders out, I just pulled the stock flares because they were shot and haven't put any others on yet.
 

Jeepincj7

Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2003
Messages
856
Loc.
Lake Elsinore, CA
I ran 5.5" of lift with no driveshaft changes at all and I wheeled the hell out it. I since did a tranny tcase swap that did require new shafts, but I have found that in most cases you don't need to get new driveshafts. Most parts houses recommend it because it allows them to make some more $$$.

I know run 4.5" BC winch springs up front and 5.5" National springs in the rear. I sit completely level, and ran this setup as well with stock shafts before my drivetrain swap.
 

komodo72

Sr. Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2002
Messages
683
Loc.
Tennessee
I have a 5.5 inch lift and I had to change my driveshaft in the rear. But then again these trucks are 30 years old and theres no telling what PO have done to them... everyone is a little different now.
 
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