So yeah it needs to go up lol. 4.56 gears aren't happening until next winter, although a Sonnex kit in the valve body and a cooler are happening this spring. My Gfs new Escape has nice winter tires on it, so I've suggested we get her some nice wheels, and put my like new Goodyear Fortezas on them for her summer driving. Which leaves me tireless, yay!
So looking around, it seems a roughly 32 inch tire is entirely doable with a 2.5-3“ lift, and my current 3.42's. I'm a huge advocate of staying low, but this thing needs some frame clearance.
Caleb (cable810) has offered to sell me his Mark Mc 3“ lift and spacers when he returns to stock shortly. Which is nice because they're already on Bilstein HDs and I get everything in one shot.
However... My understanding of suspensions says that this style of lift will reduce my down travel by a corresponding 3“, leaving me with a shit ride and a lot of "topping out" of the struts, basically making my truck a donk lol... For me, down travel is far more important than up, I'm not jumping it lol. I do notice most forum members are running this lift though, and seem happy with it. So is the travel of the stock suspension sufficient to take a 3" hit in down travel and still be OK? Am I over thinking this all?
The other option is the BDS kit, which should keep the same range of motion, since only the spring is preloaded, not the strut. I see Roadie had one with a shim to give him a full 3", but I don't see the shim available on Marks site any longer. Obviously the BDS will be a good deal more expensive than Caleb used kit also.
So, I may be over thinking this entire thing, and obviously Radflos are the ideal option, but I kind of need to get this done around March, including tires, so I don't think I can swing like 2500 that quickly lol. I'd also be replacing my ball joints while I'm in there, and attempting the AWD disco.
So... Thoughts?