New Wheels / Leveling kit?
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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New Wheels / Leveling kit?
I want to level my truck & get new wheels but the stock 265/75 16 tires I have are new and only have about 5k on them, so I'm not planning to level the truck until I need new tires.
My question is if I want to by new wheels now what size wheels can I buy now that will fit my stock tires and allow me to put bigger tires on once I level the truck if that is possible?
Also once I level the truck I'm going to replace my shocks will I need a different size shock for the front or will the stock size work. I'll be changing out to Bittlestiens.
Thanks
Rich
My question is if I want to by new wheels now what size wheels can I buy now that will fit my stock tires and allow me to put bigger tires on once I level the truck if that is possible?
Also once I level the truck I'm going to replace my shocks will I need a different size shock for the front or will the stock size work. I'll be changing out to Bittlestiens.
Thanks
Rich
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 530
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From: Vancouver, Washington
Sell your current tires on Craigslist. My Firestsone's had plenty of tread and I sold them for $140 on Craigslist and I kept the wheels for my new tires. I believe a 285 75R16 or 33x12.5 is the biggest you can go with a level kit. My 285s rub just a bit on my aftermarket mudflaps when my wheels are completely tuned and I hit a bump. I'm not sure about wheel size. I know stock wheels are usually 16x7. You would have to find out if you could fit your stock tires on a 16x8 or larger. Do you know how much larger you want togo? my 285's fit the stock wheel nicely.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 567
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From: Albemarle, NC
i have 305/70R16's (33x12.5) without any lift. absolutely no rubbing anywhere, under any circumstance. i plan to but a lift on soon (4" front and 4" rear) and will probably run 35's. i dont' want to just level the truck, i want the rear a little higher, cause it spends a lot of time hooked to a trailer, and i hate seeing trucks sit lower in the rear when loaded.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 442
From: Eastern Washington
shocks have nothing to do with rubbing, that all spring and tire/rim issues.
You will probably appreciate new shocks, the bilstiens are way nicer than stock, but if yours aren't blown then they'll still work for about 2". More than that and you'll need to look at longer shocks.
Rich... you kinda seem to be goin backwards. Don't pay to mount small tires on big rims just to remount later.... just wait till you can afford it and put the right tires on the rims you want.
You will probably appreciate new shocks, the bilstiens are way nicer than stock, but if yours aren't blown then they'll still work for about 2". More than that and you'll need to look at longer shocks.
Rich... you kinda seem to be goin backwards. Don't pay to mount small tires on big rims just to remount later.... just wait till you can afford it and put the right tires on the rims you want.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 530
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From: Vancouver, Washington
Rich in CO-
Take a look in my gallery to see my truck leveled with 285's on it.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...156773&width=0
I'm runnning BFG A/T's
Take a look in my gallery to see my truck leveled with 285's on it.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...156773&width=0
I'm runnning BFG A/T's
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 544
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From: SLC, UT
I also have a leveling kit with 285's. Pics in gallery and no rubbing at all. Pretty good setup, especially if you tow.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 530
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From: Vancouver, Washington
leveling kit lifts the front end up so your truck doesn't sag as much. The sag is more noticeable in the f350's since they have 4" blocks in the rear, where the f250's have 2" blocks in the rear. My leveling kit was what they call an "add-a-leaf" from Les Schwab. They basically add an extra spring leaf to the front with a little extra arch to it to "raise" the front end up a couple of inches. I also think that there are shackle lifts that are better quality, but cost more. My add-a-leaf cost $280 including alignment. I like that my level kit isn't a true level, so when I have a load on the back, my truck sits level. The down side to a true level is that your trucks rear-end sags when you put a large load on it. I don't know how 4x2 sits compared to 4x4 stock, maybe a little lower?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
It seems to be a couple inches lower than the 4x4 - I wonder if bigger tires would raise it up some or heavier shocks? Any thoughts? When I tow my trailer the rear does squat down quite a bit. Thoughts on adding a leaf to rear pack?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, Colorado
You'll be more than fine with that. My bet is though, you'll wish you went a little larger. I know wheels and tires are pricey, but I wish I went with 18x9 wheels and 325/60/18... and, that's with no lift.
I ran 305/70/16 BFG's my last set with no rubbing, and I'm running 295/75/16 BFG's now with no rubbing. Both at stock height. If you're wanting to go with new wheels, why put the same diameter on? Plus the aftermarket wheels will be wider than your stock wheels. This will reduce the total diameter of the tire a little. Although not much, it seems you want a little beefier look.
I don't know where in Colorado you are, but I live in Littleton and work all over Denver metro and west into the hills. I'd meet you and you can look at mine anytime. On the stock wheels, the 295's handle better than the 305's did, but the 305's looked a whole lot better.
Take your time and be sure you get exactly what you want. No sense in spending all that $$$ and not being 100% happy.
good luck and happy hunting,
Austin
I ran 305/70/16 BFG's my last set with no rubbing, and I'm running 295/75/16 BFG's now with no rubbing. Both at stock height. If you're wanting to go with new wheels, why put the same diameter on? Plus the aftermarket wheels will be wider than your stock wheels. This will reduce the total diameter of the tire a little. Although not much, it seems you want a little beefier look.
I don't know where in Colorado you are, but I live in Littleton and work all over Denver metro and west into the hills. I'd meet you and you can look at mine anytime. On the stock wheels, the 295's handle better than the 305's did, but the 305's looked a whole lot better.
Take your time and be sure you get exactly what you want. No sense in spending all that $$$ and not being 100% happy.
good luck and happy hunting,
Austin
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