I bought oversize wheels/tires for my 2003 F350 4X4 power stroke w/leaf springs.

They are Cooper 275/70R18 and when I turn the wheel almost to the stops left and right, they contact/rub the leaf springs and make a lot of noise.

We all know these beasts don't turn on a dime now. I really don't want to go back to the smaller wheels/tires if possible...

Is there a recommended spacer to move the front wheels out about 1" or more to provide clearance so the front tires don't rub on the leaf springs?

 

I have 2" wheel spacers on mine and they have been on there for quite a few years....no issues. I only recommend the steel ones as the aluminum ones out there will wear and you don't want that. I believe I paid about 800 for all 4 at that time. trying to remember who I ordered them from....

 

WheelAdapter.com is your number one source for wheel adapters, wheel spacers, used wheels, and wheel studs.

 

You would have to go at least 2". You can't do 1", there isn't enough lug to add spacers, and to run Wheel Adapters spacers, you need 2" to clear the lugs.
I ran their spacers for '06 20" wheels on my old '99. They cost me $600, plenty expensive but worked great. I towed heavy and never had a problem with them. I've got them for sale, along with 20" wheels off my '08 pickup. Let me know if you're interested.

 

Good heavy duty spacers....which you WILL NEED...are going to set you back some serious money. The cost is the reason many of us, including me, are still running stock size wheels.

 

Thanks all, I see the price is $370 per pair at wheeladapter... That is spendy...

Farmb0y, PM sent...

 

Looking at those prices seems like you could go with a decent aftermarket wheel with a different back spacing for the same price. There goes my idea to do the forged 08 20's with spacers. Aftermarket here I come.

 

pin8246, I already own these wheels with the Cooper tires on them and got a killer deal. I have not seen anything cheaper for a set of four wheels and tires less than $720 (price of the spacers new). I have seen wheels above $720 each...

 

I was talking about along the lines for me. When I need new tires, im going to change it all around and go to 37-38. So if im running stock wheels now with 35's and need new tires, ill get new wheels what would be around the price of spacers, and add the bigger tires on them.

Just saw the post and read how much they were, so my mind flipped on what wheels setup I would be looking for.

 

Got it, but can't send one back, says you're not able to receive PMs.


pin8246- you are probably right about getting aftermarket wheels. But I had a specific wheel, the 5 spoke 20" Ford factory wheels I got for a great price from another member here. I've seen them before and that is the wheel I wanted. Spacers were the only way to make them work. I now have them wheels on my '08. I haven't seen aftermarket wheels like what I have, but maybe they make them know, couldn't tell you.

 

Question: are spacers hard on hubs? I can see the benefit for getting the big wheels to work, but a couple extra inches there seems like a lot of added leverage on the front hubs.

OT @ farmb0y: I dig your avatar pic! That's art to an urban lab rat my friend. Got a hi-res version I could nab for wallpaper on my work computer?

 

discount tire or any other place that sells rims may be able to find you a aftermarket rim with correct back spacing that look close to factory rims just an idea not sure cost vs spacers