I am new here and am looking for people who can help me out with a new rebuild. My Brother passed away and left me his truck to take care of since he knew how much a Ford Truck fan I am. I have already changed the shocks to Ranch 9000XL, put in a new K&N 57 Series Air System, added dual exhaust, and had the brakes updated. I am adding a tranny cooler next week as I haul heavy and do use the 4x4 a lot. I ran across a problem when I started looking into lifting the truck though. Never knew about the 7 lug layout and am almost stumped. I have been looking at adding a F250 front and rear axle or looking into after-market options . Need advice on the tires and rim in regards to a soon to be lift of I hope 4.5 inches. Any help out there is more than welcomed.

 

Good luck man. Wish I could help but don't know much about Fords. Maybe someone who stays on here all the time will welcome a new member and maybe offer some good advice.

 

lol
Welcome to FTE and the world of Fords.
I read your post a couple times and I'm still trying to figure out why you would want to put F-250 axles under your F-150?
Depending on the motor that's in it, the 5.4 already has a 9.75 rear in it and an 8.8 in the front.
The 4.6 has 8.8 rears in front and back.
Both are very strong units!

 

The shop that does my lift told me that since 7 lug wheels are so rare for this vehicle and I was going to pick it up with a lift kit that the 2001 or 2002 F250 axles would give me the options on tires and rims I need plus add extra strength with the 12 lug hubs. I know Tempkien has some options on hubs from a Dodge swapping over but I want to keep it Ford friendly. This is my 3rd Ford workover and I have never seen this issue with rims and hubs before so I would like to find a cheaper solution than changing axles before I jump too far ahead of myself in this build. Thanks for responding. Robert

 

The only F-150 that has the 7 lug is the 7700 heavy duty edition. It's about the same as a light duty F-250.
So it must be a 7700 if it has 7 lugs.
Should be the same pattern as the 250 but not sure on that.
They do make wheels to fit it but there hard to find like you said. ):

 

I do have the 7700 version. Maybe something will come up but I will keep watching the posts. Thanks. Robert

 

You can try asking in this forum about your wheels. But be sure to tell them it's a 7700!
Super Duty & Heavy Duty - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

I have very little experience with these trucks, but would 6 lug F150 hubs be a direct swap onto your spindle? That would be the easiest swap (if possible) that would get you more of a wheel selection.

 

Not sure. They put the 7 lug steel rims on the 7700 series because it was beefed up so much for heavier loading capacity. If I have to switch I would just as soon go to the F250 front and rear axles as they have the 12 lug pattern and is also a beefier version . I do use it in the mountains and desert so it has to be strong. Thanks for the advice. Robert

 

Sorry for the long time for a response. I don't frequent this forum so I didn't notice a reply. I think you meant 8 lug pattern on F250 front and rear axles. Unfortunately no F250 ever made has a front axle that is anything like the factory independent front suspension on your truck. If time and money are not a big concern I'm sure your off road shop has or can attain the knowledge required to do a front solid axle swap with a late model Dana 50 or Dana 60 axle out of an F250. The rear axle swap to a 10.5" out of an F250 would be much more straight forward.

 

Thanks for the response. Time or money is not the problem, just the idea that to do what is usually a simple issue of a lift with bigger tires and rims is such a hassle. Ford really messed up on this one. I have been checking with all the companies in most states who say they can make or have rims for ALL trucks but when I call then and they hear 7 lug bolt pattern they end it quick. Tempkien has a bearing replacement to allow me to swap it to a Dodge style hub and of course I would have to use the Doge brakes but I have only heard of 1 other person who did this and there is an issue with clearance. Thanks again. Robert