OLD OLD OLD CL posts
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
The above linked to rims are '05+ and would need spacers to fit our EXs.
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.
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.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,410
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Kenner LA
U Joint came apart at 75+mph. Ripped the transmission to pieces and cracked the back of the engine up pretty good. Previous owner installed a 5.4L transmission in it and didn't change the tailshaft housing, he changed the slip yoke and spaced the u joint over with washers. I never feel a vibration until it was waaayyy too late.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Kenner LA
I didn't get a picture of the transmission when they took it out. Happened to me at 70 mph pulling my work trailer. Didn't even know I cracked the housing till I got home. On the side of the road I removed the rear drive shaft locked it 4x4 drove on the front axle to the nearest shop. Had the ujoint replace and drove 250+ miles home. Had a vibration the whole way back and kept thinking it was a bent driveshaft. Got the truck up on the lift and saw the transmission and called the insurance company.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 99
From: North Dakota
Attachment 137177
I didn't get a picture of the transmission when they took it out. Happened to me at 70 mph pulling my work trailer. Didn't even know I cracked the housing till I got home. On the side of the road I removed the rear drive shaft locked it 4x4 drove on the front axle to the nearest shop. Had the ujoint replace and drove 250+ miles home. Had a vibration the whole way back and kept thinking it was a bent driveshaft. Got the truck up on the lift and saw the transmission and called the insurance company.
I didn't get a picture of the transmission when they took it out. Happened to me at 70 mph pulling my work trailer. Didn't even know I cracked the housing till I got home. On the side of the road I removed the rear drive shaft locked it 4x4 drove on the front axle to the nearest shop. Had the ujoint replace and drove 250+ miles home. Had a vibration the whole way back and kept thinking it was a bent driveshaft. Got the truck up on the lift and saw the transmission and called the insurance company.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
2005 Ford Excursion Limited-Kevlar Paint
2005 Ford Excursion Limited-Kevlar Paint
17k in engine work?
2005 Ford Excursion Limited-Kevlar Paint
17k in engine work?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Kenner LA
It was definitely one hell of a shocker when it happened. I've had the rear ujoint on the rear driveshaft go out many times. I Can tell when it's on it's way out. But the front, there was no warning whatsoever. Just bam!!! And I nailed the brakes. I'm amazed my front driveshaft and front axle have held up to the abuse of driving a truck with a trailer in front wheel drive so many times. Every time the rear drive shaft ujoint has gone out it was while pulling a trailer.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
It was definitely one hell of a shocker when it happened. I've had the rear ujoint on the rear driveshaft go out many times. I Can tell when it's on it's way out. But the front, there was no warning whatsoever. Just bam!!! And I nailed the brakes. I'm amazed my front driveshaft and front axle have held up to the abuse of driving a truck with a trailer in front wheel drive so many times. Every time the rear drive shaft ujoint has gone out it was while pulling a trailer.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 120
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,263
Likes: 149
From: In the field...
