I haven't even put them on the truck yet and my 36 IROKS are looking too small. I am thinking about going up to 38x12.5 TSLs instead. Since all my plans so far revolved around building for 36s I have to rethink everything. How much lift do I need to fit the 38s without going too tall? I want to keep it as low as I can get away with. I was thinking 2" drop hanger, 3" springs for 5" of suspension while moving the axle and steering forward 3". If I need a little more I could adjust w/ a body lift. I currently have a 2" BL but wouldn't mind loosing it. The only reason to keep it is if I need the room for a 4.3 swap soon. The sawzall is not at all my enemy either. I already have the fenders trimmed some. I would do more but I just found out that in British Columbia it will fail a VI if there are ANY modifications to the firewall. That includes wheelwell tubing and even a few dents to fit a 350, so that limits me a bit :( Would I be better off if I could squeeze the axle forward another inch. I know that leaves issues w/ how far I can move the PS box but I think that I could find a cruiser box if need be.

I would spend more time searching but it is hard while it is down. Thanks.

Would pounding the firewall back with a mallet be considered a modification? I did that on my 2nd pickup and I gained at least an inch if not more of clearance. With the axle 3" forward and 5" of lift you should be able to clear 38"s with appropriate bump stops. I say go for it!

I already have the pinch seam hammered back of course but I believe that is about the limit. Since the firewall is part of the crash worthyness you can't do much to it. I can't even hammer it back a little for an engine swap. I gotta look into the details a little more though. Once I cover the thing in tube it is not like it would fold up in a crash anyway. But hey, at least I don't ever have to deal w/ smog regs. LOL.