Posted by Ben on June 13, 19100 at 17:38:20:
In Reply to: tire and lift questions on 2wd posted by Peter on June 13, 19100 at 16:38:28:
You have too many variables that are interdependent, so any answer to any ONE will be: depends on the other variable. Quite circular and will get you no where until you educate yourself enough to ask the right questions in the right order to the right person/shop/etc and finally making the right decision yourself.
I tried to write something up on this one time and ended up writing a book and still didn't wasn't satisfied with it.
Start with some basic dimensions. Like what is the max height that will fit into your garage. what is the stock height of your vehicle, and some "margin", that will give you a range that the shops can work with. Would that number be 6 inches, 8 inches, ???
Max tire size??? how much are you willing to cut sheetmetal? How much are you willing to lift? How much are willing to give up in ride quality, ease of entry, drive line vibration potential, etc? How much does the garage limiting height allow for lift/tire size/etc?
You'll need to decide on lift or not because it affects the shocks. If you change your mind later, know that it will cause you to have to change shocks (they are designed for a certian ride height...change that and the shocks will hit their limits). Then there is body lift vs suspension lift, or combo of the two and their advantages/disadvantages (there are philosophies on whether to mix or not).
Wheel dia does not matter, as the tire dia does in what you talk about, but the offset/backspace/width are important. They affect whether the tire will interfer with sheetmetal.
Then there is the load ratings, as you didn't specify 1500 or 2500 and if you plan to "use" the vehicles load rating, or not.
Dang, here it goes again, tons of stuff left to mention, but no time or inclination to.
My advice to you is to shop around till you find a tire/suspension shop you trust. Give them the specs to your wishes and GET A WARRANTY that the installation is safe/fits/doesn't touch sheetmetal/fits in your garage/doesn't ride rough/doesn't cause any vibration/etc and expect to pay lots of money for their design services. Locally in the SF BayArea the going rate is $12,000.00 to do a "minor" & ~$16,000.00 to do a "medium" lift/tire/wheel/dual exhaust/accent stripes/etc job and know that the owners are now filthy rich, bought two 10,000 sq ft buildings and have about 25 folks working for them (wished I'd started that business... :)
Also understand that you are about to mess with a very complex system and that everything is connected or affected by the other. I've seen much money spent changing and respent trying to put it back.
Good hunting.
-Ben