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Owned Fords all my life but just bought my 1st 250 super duty because of I big boat I needed to be able to launch and my 150 small block 2wd couldn't get it back up the boat ramp. The 250 I bought is a 2001 platinum V-10, yes a thirsty un but still runs good with only 140k on it and still have my 150 for longer journeys. It's been updated in the front and already had a lift with aftermarket 22" rims and 35" tires which are in my opinion borderline almost too small with the amount of lift the truck has but my objective wasn't to really be too beefy just needed something that would float my boat. Albeit I didn't notice it when I test drove it but I'm not able to get a full turn radius on it in a tight spot without the front tires rubbing on the on the inside leafs. Just curious if anyone has anything good or bad to say about putting on some 2" wheel spacers on a truck that big or what brand etc... Also it's got a OEM factory visor or brow on it which I've never seen but missing the 2 L and R ambers and can't seem to find them anywhere or a P/N to order them. Thanks much in advance.
How wide are those tires? The leaf spring trucks don't have a great turning radius with stock tires and putting wider tires with the wrong offset rims just makes it worse.
Putting spacers on might push the tires into the fenders/bumper instead of the leaf spring, maybe not with the lift. You should take some measurements to figure out how thick of a spacer you actually need to just get off the leaf springs at full lock, there's no reason to get anything bigger than you need. You'll start pushing you're tires out way past the fender flairs and start throwing rocks/dirt/sand all down the side of the truck.
I ran 2" spacers on my '07 F150. Eventually I started getting weird vibes like a tire out of balance. I checked torque, removed spacers and cleaned all WMS's and it would change a little, but never got rid of it.
If you do some research online, this is a VERY common complaint with spacers. Seriously, just do a web search. They often start out great but eventually shake or shimmy.
If you still want to try, go with something quality like BORA.
The tires are 13.50 speedfreak and yeah I don't want to come out too much but they're actually right now about an inch inside the fender though doesn't look it in the pics. 2" would bring it out about 1" outside which may not be too bad for kicking up. Was thinking I might just buy one spacer and do a little experimenting. Also Ive never really looked into spacers but the more I do now I'm just not too confident about them such as you mentioned hobohilton. It's a bad enough rub to lock the wheel up though and not sure if I'm even at full radius at that. Just really didn't want to get into too much more than a couple hundred since it's not a daily and just mainly to haul and launch boat. Oh and WWR I didn't think there was a OEM visor either but apparently in at least '01 Ford sprouted a wild hair and put one on the 250 platinum edition. Which probably explains the difficulty finding lenses. Was going to just take it off but bracket is welded to the cab and it's probably not going to look too pretty under there. Might end up just buying some lenses I can grind down to that shape or something I guess.
I run 2" wheel spacers all around, I forget the name but spent a little more for a good brand. Been 3 years now and no complaints. I run a 35 x 12.50 tire with 4" lift and no rubbing on the leafs. I did trim about 1" from the back of the fenders when offroading and do not rub there either. I've done lots of research and cannot find a aftermarket replacement with the "correct" backspace/offset for a 12.50 or 13.50 tire. I'd imagine something in the 3.5" backspace would be perfect, but all/most I see are 4.00+.
Yeah Bajaphile I've heard a few good results of people using them without much ado but seems like a lot of bad too. But I suppose in general people talk more about things they don't like and I'm the same way. In some other places I've seen them mentioned they say it's best to get them professionally installed and with impact wrench to get the proper torque on each nut. And after a few weeks of driving go back and have them checked. Also like WWR mentioned Bora seems to be the one most recommended and preferred. As much as I'm going to be driving it just to launch boat on the weekends I think it might be the best option or at least worth a try. Thanks
There's nothing wrong with aluminum SPACERS. You're talking about wheel ADAPTERS, which are also fine, just make sure they're billet/forged aluminum with properly rated studs and they'll be more than strong enough. Any issues I've seen are either cheap cast spacers, improperly rated studs, or more commonly incorrect installation/maintenance. Know what the TQ specs are for the hardware it's using and go back and re-torque them regularly. I do it after 100miles, 500 miles, 1000 miles, 2000 miles, and then at every oil change. I've run 2" adapters on my older GMC for a couple years so i can run newer wheels and I hop curbs, run it down dirt roads, load it with scrap, etc and I haven't had an issue(, but I'm on top of my maintenance and do regular visual checks of everything.
Personally, I'd ditch those wheels/tires and get some stock rims or stockish aftermarkets, and some 35 x 12.5s tires and not deal with spacers/adapters. You might even be able to find someone to trade with
That year Platinum truck did have the front moon shade from the factory...don't know what that is on the top back of the cab though. I would also look into getting some wheels which have a closer offset that work...you'll probably be doing it later when it comes time to replace those 22" shoes when you see how much $$$. If your just towing...and doing so relatively heavy...I would go this route rather than the spacers. The 18" diameter wheel and tire would be a good popular fit. If you can find them there is a one year only 04 18" factory wheel which has the proper offset to work without rubbing. I have 3 sets, a KR set with 275/70/18's on the wife's 2wd Excursion, an XLT set with 295/70/18's on my F350, and a spare XLT set I'm trying to figure out what to do with. Here's the wife's Excursion to know what they look like...
