I was told by my salesman last week that I would have to wait on my order on
a 05' F-250 with 18" wheels. I have to wait until end of December if I was getting an 18 or 17. Something about a disagreement with the company who
produces the tires. Can anyone fill me in on what might be going on?
Thanks ---Javier

 

jeg67, There is a material hold until 12/31/04 on the optional 18" wheel for the F250 Lariat. I am not sure why because the F350 Lariat uses the same wheel as standard and there is no hold on them. I went ahead and ordered my F250 anyway w/18" wheels. I figure they may release the hold before then, and maybe there will be a rebate on the truck when I take delivery. I have not heard anything about a disagreement with the tire manufacturer. If that is the case then it further clouds the issue regarding the F350 18" wheel being available.

 

I was told there was a shortage of the 18's and they were holding them for the 350's , at least until December.

 

Exactly. Because the 18" is standard on the 350s, they have to give what wheels do they have to those, or there will be no 350s coming off the line. Until the shortage is resolved, then the 250 orders will have to wait.

 

I can't even figure out what the 18" F250 Lariat "premium" wheel looks like. The Ford website shows an 18" wheel (in the photo gallery) that looks identical to the 17" premium in the catalog (both are a flat 5-spoke design), the catalog shows an 18" premium that looks like a smaller version of the Harley wheel (5-spoke with extra lines milled in).

 

TriPower1, From what I know the 18" "Premium Forged Polished-Aluminum Wheel" in the brochure is the one. They are similar to the 17" Lariat wheel, but have extra "milled" lines cut in them. I noticed that the pictures on the website do not show all of the different wheels. I believe someone on this site has a picture of a truck on a dealer lot with the 18" Lariat wheel in their gallery.

 

Tripower1 here is a scan of the brochure if it helps.
Wheels

The link doesn't look right so here is the direct URL
http://mysite.verizon.net/s_howland/wheels.jpg

 

I had to smile reading this post. I've had my 05 F350 for 2.5 days and I couldn't begin to tell you what the rims look like because I just keep staring at the truck itself. I assume they are 18" because the window sticker says they are, and I vaguely remember that they are aluminum.