Im buying a 78 f-250 w/ a c6,400, Dana 60 front/44 rear.

I'm gonna run 38's or 39.5's on it. If I don't build the engine up, how long til I break the 44? I'm mainly gonna use it for mudboggin.

Also how much lift am i gonna need to run these tires comfortably, or how much lift + fender whackin am I gonna need?

I hope you meant a 44f and 60r. Either way, I put a 4" lift on mine and trimmed the front of the fenders. 38" Swampers fit nicely and no hitting even at full flex. If you take care of the front end, it will last you a while. In the off chance the dreaded breakage demon visits you, parts are relatively inexpensive to fix this type of front end. BTW, I am running mine with a rebuilt (factory specs) 460.

Yeah I meant a 44f and 60r, been running on no sleep so I haven't been thinking straight lately.

What's the cheapest way to get 4" of lift? I'm only spending $500 on the truck, so I don't feel like putting $500+ into a lift for something so cheap ya know?

I was thinking a shackle reversal kit, which should give me 3-4" of lift. And if I need more throw some blocks in the rear or different springs up front.

How much did you trim your fenders? You don't happen to have any pics do you?

Can you weld???? Fabricate??....if so you can lower your front front spring mounts, and make longer shackles for the front.....then do a shackle flip on the rear using another set of rear front spring mount sin the rear. That rear setup will net you about 4 inches of lift, so match that with the front. throw 2 60 dollar add-a-leaves in the front and youll have about 6 inches of lift. or you could buy a 500 dollar lift kit, or just say screw the lift and go to work with air shears and a sawzall

Im running a 6 inch lift with 2.5 inches cut out of my fenders all the way around and plenty of room for my 39.5x18 boggers opn 12 inch whls. i could probably lowe rit down to 4 inches, but im seeing 44's in my future....:D

Originally posted by LeviGarrett76
but im seeing 44's in my future....:D


humm this will might get fun:eek:

I can't weld or fab, but I have friends who can.

I planned on a shackle reversel, giving me 3-4" of lift then 2" blocks all the way around for 6" then chop the shit out of the fenders.

What's the best place to buy stuff for 78-79 f-250 lift accessories?

Also should I get extended radius arms and a drop pitman arm like I have for my Bronco?

If I got a 4" lift kit from someone, and I did a shackle reversal on those would it give me an affective lift of 7-8"?

Originally posted by fiend

What's the best place to buy stuff for 78-79 f-250 lift accessories?

Also should I get extended radius arms and a drop pitman arm like I have for my Bronco?



so is it an F150 or 250 if it is 250 that means it is Leaf sprung which means NO radius arms so there would be no need for that. Now you will need to do something with your steering

It's an f-250.

So I will need a drop pitman arm and what else for the steering?

The cheapest way to lift that thing four inches is to add springs to the front and blocks in the rear. Get a four inch drop drag link and sll is set. Ride will be rough, but it'll be lifted. You could check around in boneyards and try to find a set of highboy springs.

Originally posted by fiend
I can't weld or fab, but I have friends who can.

I planned on a shackle reversel, giving me 3-4" of lift then 2" blocks all the way around for 6" then chop the shit out of the fenders
i'm not tryin to tell ya your business, but i wanted to make sure you're NOT talkin about 2" blocks FRONT AND REAR. blocks on the front end is a BIG no-no... the side to side stress from the steering will work those fawkers off their perches, nopt to mention added axle wrap and less stability.
when i was 16 i bought a truck with block sup front... i didn't know any better, but i DID learn the hard way... :D

my 78 F250 came shackle reversal from the factory. paid $500 also. allready had 4" lift. the back has blocks on rear from oem. this lift stacked another block on top of that. i say get front lift springs and shackle flip the back. no drop pitman. longer shocks. stock brake hoses will work if its just a muddin truck.

Originally posted by TATER
my 78 F250 came shackle reversal from the factory. paid $500 also. allready had 4" lift. the back has blocks on rear from oem. this lift stacked another block on top of that. i say get front lift springs and shackle flip the back. no drop pitman. longer shocks. stock brake hoses will work if its just a muddin truck.

Didn't know blocks up front were bad, I don't know much about lifts and stuff except F-150/Bronco stuff.

It's just a muddin truck, i'd eventually like to use it for trails and everything like that. So I guess sometime down the road i'll get the works for it but right now it's just goin in the mud pit.

What's the best place to buy used/new lift parts for 78-79 f-250's?

Originally posted by fiend


Didn't know blocks up front were bad, I don't know much about lifts and stuff except F-150/Bronco stuff.

It's just a muddin truck, i'd eventually like to use it for trails and everything like that. So I guess sometime down the road i'll get the works for it but right now it's just goin in the mud pit.

What's the best place to buy used/new lift parts for 78-79 f-250's?

just about ANY block is bad... but its simple... the farther away from the axle the spring is, the more axle wrap you're gonna get... plus you lose stability. i have 2" blocks on my rear springs, and i wanna ditch them.
anyway, don't put em up front, and DON'T stack them... those are both dangerous ideas that beg for side shear to nix a u-bolt or 2 and cause a potentially fatal accident.
as far as buying stuff- go in the classified section of this bbs, and look around, and if no luck, then posted in the WANTED SECTION. unless you have $$ laying around, its always a good idea to buy from other wheelers bc they can tell you pro's and cons of the set up you are buying, install tips etc...

i know that all 73-79 f-250's had the shackle at the back of the spring on the front end......i doubt you would want to put the shcakle up front...that would make it hadle different and ride like shit. You may be thinking of the shackle reveral people do on the old 86-98 f-350's. If its just a muddin truck.....you can buy front and rear add-a-leaves for aorund 120 130 bucks..thatl give ya 2 inches of lift. your stock shocks may be ok, brakes will be fine, driveline will be fine so will steering. depending on how big of a tire you want...start cuttin. Or you could always do a damn body lift:crybaby: :barf:

I'm gonna run either 38's or 39.5 TSL's or Boggers.

It's just gonna be a muddin truck for the bogs right now. But I also want to turn it into my offroad vehicle for trails and everything. I don't wanna skimp early, and pay later. I'd like to start putting decent stuff in it early, and if that means I have to save up then so be it.

How much would 6" lift springs all around cost, new/used?

After the 6" of lift go to work at the fenders.

What's wrong with body lifts?

Originally posted by fiend
What's wrong with body lifts?
depends on who you ask... it doesn't get any of your vehicle clear of the trail and obstacles other than the body... so some ppl will say its bad... go suspension lift....

but it also helps maintain a little better center of gravity because your real weight lies in the frame and powertrain... which is not affected by body lifts... and it clears for bigger tires. so some will say go body lift....

what I WOULD DO, is get a moderate susp lift, maybe 2-3"... and maybe a 2-3" body... the rest can be taken care of with a sawzall.
i personally made some miscalculations with my SAS, and ended up with too much susp lift and a 3" body lift... and since the body lift was easy to remove, i did that... but i kinda wish i'd just removed 2-3" of susp and maybe gone with a 1" body lift...

but it all boils down to you- and your truck- nobody on this PBB can tell you what is really right for you and your needs...
just be safe... :D avoid blocks in excess of 2-3". don't stack em, and keep em in the rear only.

body lifts are no good for the 250's, unless you replace your steering shaft. i learned the hard way, when mine pulled out from the box.:eek: :eek:


ps: i had a 78 with 6" susp lift, 3" body and 39' boggers, cleared good. oh and front shackels are revesed stock.:D

Lots of options and not enough money. Thanks for all the help, i'll update ya'll with what happens and pictures once I get the truck.

yea i second the steering shaft. I had a body lift with the stocker and it wore it out quick. now i have the borgeson and a body lift would be fine.