OK guys, its been a year for me-as of Jan 1 I had an '07 Dodge 2500 hemi auto, mid April I traded it for an '08 Ford F-250 6.8 auto. Had the Ford for about 2 months before I rolled it (totaled it) and now I have an '08 Chevy 2500 6.0 auto. So overall I would say I have a pretty good opinion on what Ford and Dodge have to offer (i've driven a TON of them over the last 19 years) but this is the only the 3rd Chevy i've had but the 1st one in 15 years. That being said my questions are-

1. How do the 2500's handle lifts? I was thinking somewhere in the 3-4" range. Any feedback on how to go about it or any tricks of the trade are welcome.

2. My truck is a 4X4 with 16" rims, how big can my tires be without rubbing? Right now they have the 245's on them that came from the dealership and I cant stand the way they look.

3. The 6 speed auto, seems to be a good tranny and shifts great, just wondering if there is anything I should be looking out for?

4. I live 9 miles off the hiway on a dirt road that can get pretty rough, how does the IFS handle roads like that?

Anything else you may have to add, feel free.

 

The 2500s do good lifted.
245s doesn't tell us anything but the tread width. The profile height is the second number..

 

1. How do the 2500's handle lifts? I was thinking somewhere in the 3-4" range. Any feedback on how to go about it or any tricks of the trade are welcome.

2. My truck is a 4X4 with 16" rims, how big can my tires be without rubbing? Right now they have the 245's on them that came from the dealership and I cant stand the way they look.

3. The 6 speed auto, seems to be a good tranny and shifts great, just wondering if there is anything I should be looking out for?

4. I live 9 miles off the hiway on a dirt road that can get pretty rough, how does the IFS handle roads like that?

1) the 2500's handle lifts great,if going with a 3" i would look into rancho.if your a shade tree mechanic it can be accomplished in a weekend(with the proper tools)

2)yeah the tires that come stock look like grandma went looking for tires,size will be determined when lift has been picked,with a 3" i wouldn't put anything bigger then a 33x12:50x?whatever wheel you choose.if going up taller you can get away with 35's still depends on lift with minimum trimming.i had to trim some with a 6" and 35's with 17" wheels..ive seen getto 22's with a 6" lift but i like the bigger tire smaller wheel(not into the hockey puck look)i rode in a 2500 with 20's and it rode like a tank..

3) as for that tranny i think it's a 4l80? but not positive and i havent heard anything bad ..yet... on them.

4)when my truck was stock it took dirt roads with ease(heavy)as for when lifted hard to say, mine did not change in the ride department.


i know more could be added,and folks will chime in with there experiences as well....

 

How big can the tires be (no rub) with stock suspension?

 

First of all, you did great by rolling the Ford. It was a piece of junk anyway. The 2500 do really good with a 3" lift kit on it.

 

Check the ROP in your glovebox, if it says "gt5" that's a 410 rear, which should handle most regular lifts, power wise.