Don't mind Apoc, he is on medication (or should be....), these '04 Super Duty rims are a great match for our EX, both in function and looks! I recently posted the below info to help explain them to another member.


Some of this was already covered but here goes anyway....
18" rims are considered an upgrade (by some or most....) because they let you either reduce the tire side wall height (if keeping the same height tires) or retaining similar side wall height as stock (if mounting taller tires). Taller tire side walls can lead to more sideways deflection and poorer handling, conversely shorter side walls typically reduce deflection and provide for better handling. In a case like my setup I wanted to run 35" tires (I feel they are just the "right" size for the scale of the body) but with my heavy towing duties I did not want to increase the sidewall height very much (like a 35" tire on a 16" rims would have) to maintain good road manners with the high rear axle weights and trailer induced sideward movements. So going with the OEM '04 18" Lariat rims allowed me to keep almost the same side wall height (+.89" in my case) as stock and still get the full 35" tire height I wanted.
When Ford changed the pickup trucks 4X4 suspensions over to coil springs instead of leaves like all EXs have in '05 they also changes the wheel mating surfaces to a wider stance. The sheet metal didn't change so to keep the tires in the same place under the trucks as pre-change the new rim back spacing was changed. All Super Duty trucks from '05 on run the new back spacing, all SDs and EX prior to then use the "old" spec backspacing. There is approximately 1.75" difference between the two. Mounting the "newer" rims on an "older" EX (or pickup) will have the tires sitting that same 1.75" farther in towards the center of the truck and make front spring rub more of an problem. The best way to make these newer rims work is with the use of 2" hubcentric spacers, they can cost more than a decent set of late model take-off rims and tires. The little extra spacer thickness makes it so you don't have to trim the stock lug studs down, like you would if the spacers were only the needed 1.75" thick.
Just before the SD suspension change in '05 Ford made a series of 18" rims for the pickups, since these trucks have the same suspension geometry as our EXs those rims fit our wagons perfectly without the need for spacers. This series of 18" was the ONLY plus sized (over 16") rim offered by Ford and all 4 versions share the same basic wide 5 spoke design with some finish and detail differences.
Harley Davidson, the most common as they were standard on all '04 H-D F-250/F-350 trucks for the entire model year. Highly polished with the H-D shield logo on one spoke and small ridges milled into the rim inside the spoke pockets. These rims also used unique to them special chrome closed end lug nuts and special center caps that left the nuts exposed.
King Ranch, Next most common as they became standard on KR trucks at mid-year '04 but could be optioned out of for the 16"s. These are polished with tan or gold painted spoke pockets. Center caps look just like the standard caps with the KR logo script.
Lariat, Only available as an option on Lariat trucks starting mid-year '04 in place of the standard 16" rims. These look just like the KR version except the spoke pockets are painted silver that closely matches the polished aluminum finish. Used the standard center caps.
SVT, Very rare, these were only available over the counter from Ford Performance dealers parts departments, they did not come on any trucks from the factory. Polished finish with blocky details on the rim inside the spoke pockets and milled slots on the rim end of the spokes. Used a special smooth round cap with no markings.
All the versions can be used with the standard chrome or black center caps and regular SD lug nuts.
All of these rims are 18" X 8', which makes them 1" wider than our factory aluminum 16"s.

 

That is some good info to know.

 

thanks. i understand the whole pre post coil over wheel issue....but nice refresher

i just have no clue by look to tell which wheels are which. especially some of the specialty trim ones. they all start to look the same. so any 18" 250 wheel is pre coil over ?

i am running 295/75/16 terra grapplers with no real issues. slight rub at full lock.

is there a 285 spec tire size that works well otherwise i'd run 275/65.

 

No, there are several '05+ SD 18" rim options which would all need spacers to fit our EXs properly. That is what makes these '04 18"s so special, they were the ONLY plus sized (over 16") OEM rims ever offered by Ford for the SD/EX line pre-coil front change in '05.
As far identifying them, look at my picture in post #3 of this thread. They all (all 4 versions of the '04 18"s) share the same width 5 spokes and depressed center to the lug nut flange area, later rims do not sink in as far to that lug area as they have less back spacing. If looking for the most common Harley version they will be the only H-D rims with the shield logo molded into one spoke.

 

tks....

275/65 probably the best fitment for all around usage ?

 

I think that might have been the stock tire size back when these rims were new, my rims came with Contis in that size and they were most likely original to the original Lariat truck. They typically measure out to about 32" tall vs the 31.5"-ish 265/75R16 that the EXs came with.

 

More than you can imagine I apologize (like I usually have to do the morning after on here). It was late and I should have been asleep. I get very angry or depressed or nihilistic after about 2am and shouldn't be on here much less awake. I'm not saying this excuses my actions at all, far from it, I'm just telling you why I did it. Please forgive me (poster and FTE yet again) and I'll try to pay more attention to what I'm doing. Sometimes I just can't sleep and FTE is my only escape and I post before thinking. Maybe I should just read more and not post...

 

Don't worry, we still love ya Apoc!

 

A $1000 US seems high. I got my rims with center caps, lugs and near new 325 60 R18 AT for $760 CDN and I'm selling the rubber for $350. I would give my rims a 7.5 -8 out of 10 and that is because I'm pretty picky over quality.

 

The wheels I found closer to home turned out to be 2005 super duty rims, so I did in fact end up purchasing the 2004 Harley rims.

 

As stated earlier in this thread, the only F250 super duty rims that will fit your excursion without any modification (ie. spacers) were available only for one year, that being 2004. In 2005, the super duty went to a coiled spring front suspension, while the 2005 Excursion (last year of production) maintained a leaf spring front suspension.

I installed the 2004 18" Ford Harley rims April 2013, along with a Michelin LT 275/70. I replaced the leaf springs in 2012 with Ford F250 X code in the front, and a modified B code in the rear. The spring mods increased the rear height 4+ inches and the front by 3+ inches. Another inch was gained after I installed the 18 Harley rims and 275/70 tires.

As far as tire selection, I wasn't so much interested in height, as I was wanting a slightly wider tire to increase the truck's footprint for more stable ride while pulling a 30 foot travel trailer.

I could not be more happy with the suspension and tire upgrades. The 8000 pound truck now rides like a Cadillac over any terrain.

I took these photos tonight. As you can see, going from a 16" rim to an 18" rim along with a slightly larger tire did little to fill the wheel well following the spring swap, but I am very satisfied with the ride quality.

By the way, I found the 2004 Ford Super Duty rims on "www.car-parts.com"

 

old thread but anyone know the offset of the '04 18s vs the 16s? I.E. i think the 16's are 6.3mm, been looking but they are so expensive close to me, best i have seen so far is a set for 1300.00 w/ 1/2 worn tires 300 miles away

kinda want 18's and like the factory the best but might go aftermarket if i can figure out the specs

 

Call or email Cary Towery at ctperformance.com. He was very helpful to me seven years ago when I was sorting through wheels, tires and suspension back then. He will tell you straight.

 

I know where a set of 18" HD rims are....2wd....center caps.....no lugs. $800. no shipping.

 

Are these wheels still available?