RammaR
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- August 21, 2001
- Messages
- 199
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Franklin, TN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '96 XLT 4x4
I think I've made a few classic mistakes along the way of lifting my '96 and am looking for advice on fixing things.
About 2 years ago I lifted it with shackles and a TT for about 1.5 inches and got a set of Goodyear MT/R's - what an improvment in the way it looks. I took it to get aligned and the shop said they wanted to replace the ball joints and if I didn't that it wouldn't hold the alignment so I was just throwing money away. I got a 2nd opinion from another shop that said with the mud tires any alignment wouldn't stay true for long.
It drove great even though I could tell the camber is a little out of alignment just from looking down the side of the truck. So being pennywise and a pound foolish I opted not to do the alignment at the time.
Now fast forward 27k miles - the tires have plenty of tread but it's nearly impossible to hold a conversation inside it. Oh how they howl and rumble. (The lower ball joints got replaced last year anyway due to general wear at about 125K miles)
Although the MT/R's have plenty of tread left and the one good thing I did was kept them rotated every 3 to 4k miles, I think I'm in need of a new set of tires. They looked great - but I really don't need a mud tire and was thinking of the BFG A/T's. I am going to get an alignment this time... should it be before or after the new tires? and does anyone have any feedback on how much quieter the BFG A/T KO's are? Or any other suggestions on how to make the MT/R's ride better for the rest of their treadlife?
Thanks in advance!
I
About 2 years ago I lifted it with shackles and a TT for about 1.5 inches and got a set of Goodyear MT/R's - what an improvment in the way it looks. I took it to get aligned and the shop said they wanted to replace the ball joints and if I didn't that it wouldn't hold the alignment so I was just throwing money away. I got a 2nd opinion from another shop that said with the mud tires any alignment wouldn't stay true for long.
It drove great even though I could tell the camber is a little out of alignment just from looking down the side of the truck. So being pennywise and a pound foolish I opted not to do the alignment at the time.
Now fast forward 27k miles - the tires have plenty of tread but it's nearly impossible to hold a conversation inside it. Oh how they howl and rumble. (The lower ball joints got replaced last year anyway due to general wear at about 125K miles)
Although the MT/R's have plenty of tread left and the one good thing I did was kept them rotated every 3 to 4k miles, I think I'm in need of a new set of tires. They looked great - but I really don't need a mud tire and was thinking of the BFG A/T's. I am going to get an alignment this time... should it be before or after the new tires? and does anyone have any feedback on how much quieter the BFG A/T KO's are? Or any other suggestions on how to make the MT/R's ride better for the rest of their treadlife?
Thanks in advance!
I
