1st mod, yay, a few ?s

OffroadBEAR · Post by **OffroadBEAR** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:02 pm

Hey all, My first mod to my otherwise completely stock 88 XLT. I am getting 31x10.50 LeMans ATs (set of 4 plus a BFG spare same size) for $50 bucks and have more than 75% tread. I have stock 235-75-15 on the stock steel wagon-wheel type rims. They should fit right? I thought they were 15x7. Also, will this be too much of a change for my gears or transmission (mitsu FM146)?

Also, at the yard today, I found a driveshaft for $25 from a 92ish Explorer sport 2door, will it fit my bronco as far as bolt in replacement for my CV shaft? I thought it might since it is a 2 door. Thanks

Paul

ranger5.0 · Post by **ranger5.0** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:57 pm

The exploder is longer overall so I am guessing that the driveline is going to be longer. You can probably have it cut down though.

OffroadBEAR · Post by **OffroadBEAR** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:49 pm

Well I have 235/75/15s right now and 3.45 gears. Should I still be okay? I thought it should be alright. I do go wheeling when I can (and usually go as far as my tires will let me), but would like to keep my good gas mileage since I drive about 40 miles a day.

BIG Z DUDE · Post by **BIG Z DUDE** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 8:00 am

I run 31s on my 88 xlt and have for 2 years. I have had no problems and I still get 20 miles to the gallon

DBrown · Post by **DBrown** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:57 pm

you might need to trim the fenders a little to stop them from rubbing but you should be fine.

as far as gear selection...if you are planning on running 31's. a 4.10 ratio would be a good place for the stock axles to be at. these gears are also found in stock trucks.

OffroadBEAR · Post by **OffroadBEAR** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:23 pm

I might trim the fenders, but I will not be regearing or swapping any axles for a set of tires I bought for $50. Will they fit on a stock set of steel wheels (not the aluminum rims with holes)? If I loose a little bit of power, I won't be complaining too much, its only 2 inches more tire than what I have now.

ranger5.0 · Post by **ranger5.0** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 7:45 pm

I ate alot of u-joints with mine, but they were the little ones that came in the 1985 an older ones. I also was running tires quit a bitlarger than 31's. I believe that the axle wrap was eating mine. I could feel it every time pushed and release the gas pedal. It is all a learning experience.

OffroadBEAR · Post by **OffroadBEAR** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 8:44 pm

I think my stock wheels are 5.5" wide. Can I still put the 31x10.5s on these wheels, or will they pop a bead? That and the CV driveshaft are my only concerns (it is stripping now, and I hope it lasts till I find a replacement). Thanks for all the input guys.

Paul

OffroadBEAR · Post by **OffroadBEAR** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 2:48 pm

Well, I got the tires mounted, $25 at walmart to take off the Heep rims and put them on my truck's rims ($5 a tire to dismount and mount, everywhere else wanted 5 to dis and 5 to remount, so it woulda been $50 anywhere else). The 31x10.5s fit just right on my 15x5.5 rims, no problems. I do need to hack the fenders a little, I am going to see if I can find one to borrow, they rub the front of the front fenders a little, but I am going to cut to allow for wheel travel, they also hit the top of the rear fenders, but not a whole lot. No regears needed, the power loss is barely noticeable, but I lost about 3-5 mph on my speedo (says 35-37 when doing 40). Right now the thing bogging my rig down the most is the 100+ degree heat, so... Now to find a camera to take pics and a reciprocating saw to cut the fenders.

Anything special I need to know about cutting fenders, or is it just mark and cut? Will I need to fold any body seams, etc... Thanks.

Paul

LarryA · Post by **LarryA** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:28 pm

Don't know exactly but I say you need to find out for sure what's going to have to be done. You could open a can of bad worms by just hacking at the feners with a saw. That may open areas up to the elements that shouldn't be or that you don't want to be. They cost a good $$ but they do make cutout fender flares for the B2's.

DBrown · Post by **DBrown** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:27 am

cutting the fenders is not that bad. just use either a jigsaw, or grinder. the sawzaw is a little harder to control. tape your edges and just take your time. also leave an inch past where you want to clearence then roll it over with a body hammer and it will look realy good.

OffroadBEAR · Post by **OffroadBEAR** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:48 am

Cool, thanks.

Can anyone give me any info about leaf spring swaps. I heard that swapping in F150 main leafs will give some lift. How much lift could I get and how much prep work is involved in swapping them? My passenger rear is sagging a bit and I need to do something about it. I know i can get some spacers for the front ofr F150 spring spacers (so I heard). Any info about this would be great, I need a little cheap lift without having to install drop brackets. I also might do a 2 inch body lift since the underside of my truck is really clean (besides the mud and dirt, no rust or bad crud). Thanks.

Paul