Advice for a first timer ! lift/gears and trimming !

[voivod]

Hello guys,
This is gonna be my first time doing some serious business to my truck (2000 xls)
currently planning on getting some 15x8 rims and 32x11.5 tires (BFG A/T KO).
and i was wondering, would i be able to fit those with a 2" tt+shackles ? or would i need an add a leaf kit for an extra inch and some trimming ?

also my gears are 3.55, do i need to change them to 3.73 or 4.11 for better performance ? or will the 3.55 be ok ?

cheers.

 

[steventadams]

once you start getting around 33 inches or so for the tires you are going to want to think about regearing to at least 4.10... especially if you feel like your going to get started with the wheeling stuff, go to 4.10 at least. people around here tend to kick themselves after they drop a bunch of money for new gears only to realize they should have gone lower.

as for the tt, shackles, AAL. if you can get it done with just the TT and shackles then that works but a lot of the trucks have the nototious ass-drag and so the shackles sometimes only level it with the front (pre-TT) but the AAL gets you the extra inch or 2 you want to go with the TT.

 

[voivod]

once you start getting around 33 inches or so for the tires you are going to want to think about regearing to 4.10... especially if you feel like your going to get started with the wheeling stuff, go to 4.10 at least. people around here tend to kick themselves after they drop a bunch of money for new gears only to realize they should have gone lower.

as for the tt, shackles, AAL. if you can get it done with just the TT and shackles then that works but a lot of the trucks have the nototious ass-drag and so the shackles sometimes only level it with the front (pre-TT) but the AAL gets you the extra inch or 2 you want to go with the TT.

So ill be fine with 3.55 gears as long as i stay on 32" tires ?

 

[steventadams]

you'll survive with the 3.55s but itll definitely be sluggish. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200785
thats a recent thread that asks a similar question. and don't forget that having a bad gear ratio will also make more work on your tranny, which will cost more than new gears if you need it rebuilt by a shop...