Eagle said:
No, NOT buying aftermarket rims is the cheapest way to run bigger tires, because on stock rims you can run 31x10.50s without trimming. However, a budget boost would make it a nicer package all around, on either 30s or 31s.
Concur - the only problem I normally have with my 88 (stock w/31's) is a little lug rub on the swaybar at full lock - apart from that, no trouble.
Of course, my Peugeot transmission is shot, and I haven't put the replacement in yet - another Peugeot, but it was free for the picking up and will give me a little more time to find something decent...
30's are no trouble on a stocker at all - I've got two 89's sitting out front on 30's at stock height. Some mild trails and dirt roads - never had a problem stuffing the tyres. I've just about got my wife talked into taking about an inch and a half of BB when I restomod her 89 later this year...
Remember, if you do more than a couple inches of lift, you'll probably need longer brake hoses up front and in back, a slip-yoke eliminator to cut driveline vibes, and larger tyres are going to want a brake upgrade (at least a late-model dual diaphragm booster) and while the 2.5 is a grunty little four-popper, deeper gears will be a good idea. Going over 31 will probably want a change of axle - Ford 8.8" or 9" or Dana 44 at least.
Keep an eye on the sale flyers - with a little luck, I can usually score 30's or 31's (BFG AT/KO) for down around $80 each. I keep a couple extra sets of wheels around now to allow me to take advantage of sales - I can get the tyres mounted and balanced loose, and just install them as needed (store in the garage or shed, off the ground, out of sunlight, and fairly dry.)
As far as fording, the key is to keep the left headlamp dry - the air inlet is right behind there. You can fake up a snorkel with hardware store parts if you're creative - I think you can find examples that have been made from ABS dryer vent plumbing with a little looking (wasn't it BillAVista that did that?)
While you're in college, take a couple basic automotive courses (if they're available, and if you haven't been wrenching for years already...) Most community colleges have lecture/lab courses you can take - the lecture course will let you learn all the theory, and the lab part has you out in the shop working on your very own junk! Kinda nice to have all the lifts and stuff available - even though I don't use impact tools if I can avoid it...
The more you know about how things work, the more you can do to make them work correctly with less. That's a large part of saving bux here!
Meanwhile, I also concur with advice previously given - if you can't afford to lift, you probably can't afford major repairs. Take it easy at first, and get your feet wet. Start with Forest Service Roads if you have access - they are usually unmaintained and will give you a chance to play in the dirt and some mud before you go out and play with anything big. Work your way up from there.
DON'T GO OUT ALONE! We all hope nothing breaks, but it sucks to be out somewhere and have it happen - and no-one to help you.
If you go to any of the events we put on out there, you might want to "right-seat" the first couple times or so - watch what people do, and don't be afraid to ask why afterwards. How else are you going to learn?
A little searching might yield a "how-to" off-road driving course - probably a wise investment. The extra driving training can't hurt, and it's another good chance to ask that favourite question - "Why?" Don't be afraid to use it - but know there are times you should wait to ask (finding a woman who understands that before you get married will make your marriage easier...)
Get a Chilton's now (don't bother with Haynes - I use them to even up my workbench) and start thinking about getting a Factory manual if you turn serious. The Chilton's will explain quite a lot - they're mainly targetted toward people like yerself. The FSM doesn't explain anywhere near as much as the Chilton's in terms of theory, but will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know for major repairs once you understand why things work the way they do. Even though they typicall run in the $80-100 range, they're money well spent - I have several.
Take your time, learn as you go (not after you break something!) and you'll have a lot more fun that way. We were all young once...
5-90
