I now own the 17" aluminum wheels and just took a good look at a 2006 Armadillo model (yeah, I know it is really Amarillo....) at my dealer and noticed a couple surprises with its 18"ers. First off the tires have gone from 65 to 70 series 275's. Secondly, I noticed two differences between the 18" aluminum wheels and my 17"ers that should not exist because the sketches in the brochures show them as looking the same, but they are not. The eight big holes (not the small ones for the lugs) are bigger on the 18's and allow me to insert all four fingers of one hand into them and at home the 17's only allow 3 fingers. Also, there are "grooves" running concentrically around the wheel on its face. All four had what look like machining cuts not smoothed out. Is the shortage of 18's causing them to take shortcuts and not finish the face of the wheels now? Do you owners of the earlier 18's notice these grooves/cuts on your wheels or is this a new phenomenon? I actually am considering getting a 2006 F350 with these 18"ers and am sorry about the differences I am seeing. I had thought I would take 2 17's off the rear of my 2005 F250 and swap them with 2 18's from the front of the 2006 F350, leaving 17's on front and 18's on back of each truck. I am also noticing a VERY limited selection of 18" tires for upsizing!

 

mine have these "grooves" but it looks to me like a consistant machined finish, not something bad like only in some spots, its consistant. I kinda like the look of a machined finish. I also saw both at the dealership before ordering, and liked the larger holes on the 18, and think that makes it look much better. I didnt care about the bigger wheel, just thought the larger holes look better.

The series of the tire varies based on 2wd or 4wd, i am almost certain.

I believe the website (not sure about brochure) shows the exact same picture for the 17 and 18, which is somewhat missleading, but again, i knew what i was getting, and absolutely love them.

on a side note, are these wheels made by alcoa like the previous years?

 

I know nothing of the mfr. I am surprised to read your comment that 65 or 70 series depended upon 4WD or 2WD. I saw NOTHING anywhere about 275/70 x 18's available on ANY 2005. Did you? Really?

 

hmm

just remembering when i built my truck on the website with 2wd or 4wd, it had different series tires on it.

 

You are correct! I just looked and 65 or 70 series is available on 2WD or 4WD 350's and is expensive for the 2WD to add. I agree the bigger holes of the 18's look good but those grooves just plain SUCK! Have you found any upsize 18" tires?

 

Danko,

I have an 2005 F250 KR and have the 18", but would have been much happier with the factory 20"s, but they were only available on the Harley's.

In 2006 I see that you can now order 20" with them, although I haven't seen any pictures of the rims yet.

Chris

 

Personal pref but I like the 8 hole look over the recent 20's. I have a 2002 and 2003 F150 HD and I like those 20's. Has ANYONE seen any upsize 18" tires anywhere???????????? I see 40's and 37's and 315/70's for 17's and there is not squat for 18's I can find. Also, does anyone agree it might look okay to have 17's with the 8 outer holes up front and 18's with the bigger outer holes in back if the rear tires are bigger and kind of make the bigger rear wheel holes look "right" ??? Other than the grooves, I think I would like that look. The rears would have a bigger diameter wheel with bigger diam outer holes and bigger diam tires. Somehow, I think it would look good.

 

where did you see these wheels with "grooves" at a dealership? The way you talk about them, it doesnt sound like my wheels. i guess i would have to take a close look at mine and a pair of 17's to see if i can tell what your talking about.

as far as different tire sizes, havnt looked yet. i will probably try to get a more agressive rear tread when i replace, but hopefully that wont be for quite a few miles.

 

Why does the dealership matter? It was on a 2006 Amarillo and it was at Roy O'Brien Ford in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, and the truck is still sitting there but it is not the dealer that made the grooves........ Someone else above acknowledged the grooves on the face of their 18's. You will see them now that you look for them. They are quite noticeable and I am surprised you did not catch it yet... 17's are smooth. You do not have to wait until you need rear tires to get some that fill the wheelwell better. You can always use the stock rear tires up front when the fronts wear out. What size rears tempt you? ........ Hey Isky! It was YOU that mentioned having the grooves above....... I guess if you do not mind them, fine, but I do not like them and think they lack finishing. ........ also, Isky ......... How wide are the 18's ??? It will say on the driver's door jam. I think my 17's are 7.5" wide.

 

hehe, i know i mentioned that there is a machined look finish, but its a look i like. To me, your description of grooved doesnt sound like mine, but of course, that could be preference.

I havnt really thought about tires yet, as i am only up to 500 miles on my truck, and got to at least make a few payments and finish up some work on the house to make the little lady happy before spending any more on the truck. heck, i also gotta get working on my 54, which is "her" truck ... (good excuse to buy a new toy anyhow)

I will check the width tonight, as i didnt take my truck to work today. they have the 275's on them, maybe they are 8" wide? will let you know tommorrow.

 

Thnx! I checked on the driver's door and my 17's are 7.5" wide. I had my wife stand back from the truck and asked her to look at the front tires, look at the rear tires, front, rear, etc. and to then tell me what she thought. She replied the rear tires look smaller. They DO!!! That drives me NUTS! I HAVE to have some bigger tires in the rear and yet if my 17's end up as front tires/wheels for two trucks, then I cannot go bigger (37/12.5 x 17) than 315/70 x 17 now because they will probably end up on the front of one of the trucks when I get the 350..... decisions........ meanwhile I am going to get the rear window limo tinted, am screwing up the painting of the rear wheelwell lips I bought for way too much money and have not yet added the additional bodyside moldings which were nicely priced. Yeah, It keeps me off the street. I do think I am going to like the look of the 17's up front and 18's in back, "grooves" or not.

 

Danko,

My 18's on the 05 KR are 18x8.0J with 275/70R18's

Thanks,
Chris

 

Thnx, All the tires I want look like they prefer a minimum of 8.5". The 8" wide 18" wheels come closer than the 7.5" 17's and would do the job. Just got the rear window limo tinted.

 

18 x 8.0J here as well.

 

Thnx much. Do you see/mind grooves on the face of the 18's ????