I have read numerous searches and think I have an understanding of what I am getting into. Let me run it by you guys and see what you think.

I have a 2000 F350 XLT Lariat 4x4 Diesel that the previous owner put 2006 F250 18" alloy oem wheels on it and wrapped the stock '06 wheels in 35" x 12.5" MT off road tires.

It rubs rediculous on the leaf springs and cannot utilize full turning radius lock to lock.

I want to restore the turning radius first and foremost and it will also require new rubber in the process as the Mickey thompsons are almost bald.

Here is my question. It seems as if from my searches on here that all is really required is 2" spacers from a quality vendor and the wheels will not rub. I couldn't really tell if the ballon effect of the tire was the major culprit of the rub or if the 35 inch rubber was the main problem or if the wheel being 18" would make any tire rub. he did say he added a kit to the leaf pack up front to level it.

Any suggestions on what might be the safest, most economical, best looking option out there?

 

I don't know if this is the route you wanna go but the offset of the wheel is something to look at. Spacers maybe your only option. I have the same problem with the 17inch wheels I put on my truck. I completely forgot to check the offset. I can do a lock to lock as long as I am not in four wheel drive. But you can see on my leafs also where the tires rub. So different wheels is my next buy once these tires are gone since I do not trust spacers. Just the thought of them scare me. And with the horror stories I've heard I won't run them.

 

I have the same issue and I'm running the stock 275/70/18's and I rub too. I looked into the spacers and to get the steel ones to provide max support your looking at at about $700. Our trucks are heavy and if you pull anything that's a lot of weight on the spacers. I would not trust them either. You can always find the stock wheels for pretty cheep on craigslist or For a few hundred more than the spacers you can by aftermarket wheels with the corre t backspace and sell your current wheels and get some of your $ back. My brother just got a set of 18's for about $250 apiece.

 

A agree that I won't trust spacers !! It isn't just the spacer that is a concern but when using spacers it can lead to issues with lug bolts, lug nuts loosen up and I person feel that it can lead to other front end issues. I am a firm believer in having the correct offset on wheels for safety reasons and for the fact I have seen in the past that cars & trucks with incorrect wheels DO have more issues with front parts going bad quicker than ones with the correct wheels and offset. Just my 2cents.

 

Spend the money and buy some wheels that have a 4" or less back space and you will be good.

 

For the cost of quality spacers you could probably pick us some used wheels with the correct offset.

 

Here's some NEW wheels:
18 inch Black Wheels Rims Ford F250 F350 Moto Metal 959 8 Lug 1999 2012 | eBay

Then, put the OE wheels on CL and you are waaaay ahead of the game!

 

Is that $619 for one? Holy crap, no way in hell I would pay that.

 

That's a set of 4... not bad!

To the OP... I agree, do not trust the spacers, you are setting yourself up for disaster. I run a wheel with a -20 offset and run Dick Cepeks that are 35x13.50 with very minimal rubbing. Keep in mind though, as BadDogKuzz said, using wheels with a negative offset like that may lead to premature wear on ball joints and such.

 

Ok, that isnt bad at all for a set of 4.