Hello all, I just joined the forum. I'm getting ready to put a 6" lift on my truck. I want to be able to run 36" or 37" tires. I know that is putting stress on the front end and people say to stay at 35". I had a few questions.

1) Will I need a body lift to clear what I want?
2) I'm looking at 20x10Moto Metal 951 Chrome. What backspacing do I need?
3) Will I need wheel spacers?
4) What gears will I need for a 36 or 37" tire?

I just want to get an idea how my truck will look if someone has similar setup.

Thanks Carlos

 

I have a couple of pics in my gallery. I had to trim some but I'm 15.50 wide and you'll probably go 13.50, right?

I don't remember exactly what my offset and backspacing is but I'm getting my new rims on tomorrow and will make sure I get the info.

 

If your name is truly the year of your truck "02" then you'll have it slightly easier than the '06 guys as far as clearance.
I'm one of the strongest proponents around here on the 35" on IFS truck's rule. I've seen plenty of CV's fail. Also expect ball joints and other front end components to need replacing much sooner with that kind of stress on them. I've only seen or actually heard first hand ofone major failure on the highway, however. Every other failure I've seen has been off road.
Since your looking at 20" wheels, I'm assuming any kind of off-roading is out for you anyway and this is more of a "for looks" thing, so you should be ok with the bigger tires, other than maybe some premature component wear.
To answer your questions:
With a TRUE 6" of suspension lift, you will clear 37x12.5's, barely without rubbing, but most 6" kits do not give a true 6", most actually measure 5-5.5" especially the kits for '02-'05 torsion bar 4x4's. The ONLY kit that I know for a fact is a true 6" and clears 37's is the Skyjacker kit.
I know the Fabtech and Pro Comp's don't measure at 6" and will require additional lift or some fabrication (cutting).
You will not require wheel spacers if you do the Skyjacker kit and keep your tire width at 12.5" or less and choose a wheel with at least 4.5" of backspacing. Any wider and again, you'll have to look into more lift (body lift) or wheel spacers. Spacers along with those huge meats would again compromise the integrity of the front end, so I'd say off-road or even extended trips at a high rate of speed would be out of the question.

This is NOT to say that you will definately experience a failure with that kind of setup, a lot of people go to 37" and 38" tires on an IFS front end with no major problems, but the odds go up considerably.

As far as gears go, you'd need 4.56 minimum, and 4.88's wouldn't be a bad bet either.
My rule of thumb is 4.10 from stock up to 33", 4.56 from 33" to about 36" and 4.88 for anything larger...

 

I am not sure what backspacing you will need, but I have a total of 5.5" in the front and 5-6 in the rear and I had to cut some metal and re-mold the wheel wells to get 37x13.5R20 to fit! When 4wheelparts has a sale on some IROK tires I will be going down to 36" because I do still hit when 4-wheeling on a decline and hitting a big rock! If you are going to be a pavement pounder then you will have very little issues unless you hit some big curbs when entering parking lots too fast! I just got 4:56 gears and love them so far! Haven't gunned it yet because they haven't been broken in! But after the 13th I will give them the true test!

 

4:88's would be nice but as far as i know they don't exist for the 3rd gen 1500 stock axles. Any recent changes in that?

I run 4:88's with a 37" tire and it seems like a great match but i'm sure the guys with 4:56's are fine as well.

 

ce2flace Where did you get your solid axel swap done?? And about how much did you pay for it?? If I could afford it I would absolutely love to get it done! I am not a fan of IFS and if I didn't have so much invested in my truck I would get a Power Wagon!!

Thanks I appreciate any info!

 

Thanks for the replies guys, yes it is 02. I will see pavement 95% of the time. The other 5% will be thick sand (beach). Maybe a little mud, but I dont get too hardcore. I know about CV failure. I previously owned a Z-71. I sold it to a buddy and he got tired of the CV's and did a straight axle swap. Hmmm... straight axle on my dodge. Nah... dont have the time. I tried to view the pics in dinkenflika's gallery but non of the photos showed up just a square with an x. Thanks once again for the replies, Carlos

 

click on the square

 

Yea, I'm in the same situation. I had a '98 Dodge 1500 RCSB 4x4 with the 360 (5.9) and it had solid Dana axles. Never gave a thought when I bought the '04 about it having CV's. I actually just about bought a 2500, but the rebate was substantial on new 1500's ($4500) and there was NO rebate on the 2500. So that, coupled with the fact I liked the Laramie package and the heaviest thing I'd ever tow would be a 3k pound bass boat, I jumped on the 1500. If I had to do it over again, I'd get the 2500 and probably a CTD.
With the money I've got tied up in mods and my current financial situation of having to relocate to take care of my parents, I'll not be seeing a 2500 for some time now I'd imagine...

 

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