Somebody probably knows this answer:
I can't swing the cost of a full blown 4 or 6 in suspension lift now or in the near future. I hate the look of the stock 245's, especially when I pull up next to a F250. The stock tires are at 65K now and are getting tired (no pun intended) I was looking at possibly getting some 305's and a 3" body. Does anyone know if this combo will work? I know I will need new rims (actually like the stock rims, but they made them too thin!).

Next truck (got to be a DMAX, Love it!), I'll put aside 5K and do it up front!

I don't know from experience, but I'd say you would be ok going that route. Some have them on trucks with no lift so your 3" BL should leave you some room to be comfy ;)

This is what I am considering doing as well so I'll keep an eye on this thread and if you DO go through with this... please post pics of before and after so I can see it. :D


Good luck

C-ya

IMHO, body lifts on an HD is hideous. The frame already sticks out from under the truck and a body lift will only make it worse. Just turn up the t-bars and run the 305's (plan on minor trimming). It will look great and you won't have to get a ladder for your date when you go out.

IMHO, body lifts on an HD is hideous. The frame already sticks out from under the truck and a body lift will only make it worse. Just turn up the t-bars and run the 305's (plan on minor trimming). It will look great and you won't have to get a ladder for your date when you go out.
Helping the little lady up into a high truck, is a real pleasure!:exactly: :exactly:

I thought about just cranking the T bars. Then one thing led to another....
will the ride suffer, do I put shock extenders in to get the shocks back into there optimum operating range..... Then I said, maybe the cognito leveling kit was the way to eliminate these concerns. The bottom line is: a 6 inch suspension looks the best, and cost the most. My two concerns are cost and fitting this thing back into my garage. Guess I better dig up some cash, get the suspension lift, and build a taller garage. Sounds simple enough.

With step bars on, the body lifts aren't easily recognizable IMO. They don't change factory suspension geometry, they are cheaper, provide just as much ground clearance (tires are typically all that give more clearance), they allow the nickatane kits to tuck up higher and not hang below the frame, they are FAR cheaper overall.

All that said, if serious wheeling is your goal, the BL is NOT for you though due to higher center of gravity and instability issues that arise due to that. They also may pose a little concern with a 5th wheel and/or gooseneck hitch in the bed but nothing that can't be cured fairly reasonably.


Best of luck, IF I ever do lift my truck, its likely gonna be a 3" BL and I'll be running 325/60 or 325/65 on 18" rims. I think that would be sweet. But thats just my .02


C-ya

I didn't mean to dog your idea (sorry), I was only expressing my opinion. The fact of the matter is that body lifts are still an option to consumers because they make sense for the needs of some. SOOOO, in answer to your original question, you will certainly be able to fit the 305's on your rig. Some people are running them without any lift. If you are using a 16" rim, another option is to get the 295/75/16's. They are a little taller than the 305's, but are about 1/2" skinnier.

Don't have to apologize to me for your opinion. I agree with you... the gap or amount of frame showing after a BL is not appealing but a set of nerf bars conceal it coniderably.

I mentioned all the other things because I sometimes feel that BLs are slammed because people are possibly misguided or simply uninformed or possibly even just plain hard headed.

The bottom line is they are the least obtrusive (meaning nothing down to the mechanincal operation of the truck meaning no untimely demise of front end parts pre-maturely), most effective way to get clearance for bigger tires than any option out there and are the cheapest at doing those things UNLESS you are building something for a little more serious off-roading ability.


C-ya

You can clear 305's fine stock. And it won't ride bad. I would think with 3" bl and the right wheel combo you could run 35's. Mine are 34's and fit fine, and i know people are runnig larger tires.

crank the t bars and run your 305 on the stock wheel. There not too thin for them thrust me. (see my garage) This way your truck will look awesome and will not cost you a lot of money...

I have 305's, youll just have to do a little trimming but nothing major

do the 3in and 305's I did it on my 02 and it looked awesome as a matter of fact go in my garage and you'll see the truck. I had baha claws on it. The tire to fender porportion was just right.