Hey Guys,

I have an 05 Supercrew Lariat 4X4. I live in the north so with really bad winters and salt I'd be putting my stock rims back on.

I DON'T WANT TO LIFT OR LOWER OR LEVEL. (Don't want to level because of rubbing issues on springs with levelers.)

However, for the nice months I'd like to have some nice chrome rims on. I'm looking for more of a street look (kind of like a escalade with big rims) but not too "gangster". I really like way 22's look on Wandells Expy, but would 22's fill my wheel openings like it did on the Expy? I want to have large rims, no lift or level and fill those huge gaps between the tire and the wheel well opening almost completely if not completely.

Is it possible, if so what sizes do you suggest. While I have your attention, is there any rims you suggest too?

Here is a pic of the truck:
Current Picture:

Older Picture, but good view from the direct side:

 

F150 Duke,

I have some of the same issues you do with weather and not wanting the truck to look too "blingy." Might I suggest something like I put on mine. You can look at my sig or my gallery and see if you like them. I'm very happy with my choice, but they're coming off in a couple of weeks for the winter.

 

Good to see I'm not the only one with this issue. I like you're setup, but would want to maybe go even bigger in filling up the gap. Would 305s with 22s fill up more of the space between the top of the tire and the bottom of the fender well. (You guys know the space I'm talking about above the tire.)

Also, what does 40, 45, and 50 mean? Is that width or height? ex. 305/45/22.

 

I'd suggest going with a 305/45-22 which is a 33x12.50-22 tire. It will fill up the wheelwells. I personally would add a set of lowering shackles to the rear to drop it 2 inches and level the truck. The 45 in the tire size refers to the height. For instance, a 305/40-22 works out to be approximately a 32x12.50-22.

 

I'm assuming the 45 - 40 - 50 also influences the width of the tred wall? I agree that it would look better level but how much space do you think will be left in inches if I don't? Seen any pictures of what it would look like not leveled? I just really want to avoid messing with the suspension, especially when stock tires are going on during the winter. Besides, I like vehicles high up and wouldn't want to see this thing lower. And I'm going to need to tow some next year as I plan on buying a boat. uhh, decisions. Also, what would 22's and 305/45/22 tires do to the ride height? Would it lift it up at all? Just need to make sure b/c I need clearance to get into the garage.

Thanks again,

Duke

 

The first number in 305/45-22 is the width of the tires tread in millimeters. The second number refers to the height (the percentage related to the width), it has nothing to do with the tread width. As far as how it will look, and the ride height compared to stock, that depends on what you have now. What size are your OEM tires?

 

Umm, good question, whatever comes stock on the lariat 18 inch rims. I'll have to try and look that up.

 

Stock 4x4 Lariat:
P275/65Rx18 OWL all-terrain tires (4) with OWL all-terrain spare — 4x4 only

If I did 22s on my 4x4 would it look the same as the 22s on the Harleys, in terms of wheel well gaps?

 

No, you are talking about two completely different trucks with different ride heights. Your truck is a good bit taller than a Harley Edition, which was lowered 1 inch (vs. a stock 97-03 F-150 4x2). Also, the Harely's came with 20's. The 275/65-18's on your stock 4x4 are almost 33 inches tall. So, a 305/45-22 is gonna be basically the same height as your OEM tires. The only difference is the 305's are about 1 1/2 inches wider.

 

I was referring to the new Harley Davidson F150s. So the 22's on my truck would be the exact same, just a wider wheel and less tred wall, more rim, correct?

So the only way to fill up that gap between the top of the tire and the wheel well is to lower it?

 

24's will fit on your truck nicely....


clic on pic to enlarge

 

You are right F150Duke. Remember C-LO, he has a 4x4 which sits about 2 inches taller than your truck. Also, the most popular tire size for 24's is 305/35-24 which is the same height and width as my 305/45-22's (just more rim and less sidewall).

 

That just seems really odd. I went out to the truck with a ruler and marked off 4 more inches off the 18 inch rim and it almost took the entire side wall and tread. There was probably only 1 inch left of tred and side wall combined. So that would be the entire side wall that goes on those 22 inch rims, only one inch? Your side wall looks taller than that. Maybe I should have a different look since I don’t want to lift or lower the front or rear. Or are you saying the overall distance between the top of the tire and the lower part of the wheel well will remain the same. However, the height of the truck will go up because of the bigger rims and tires?

 

if you stuff bigger wheels in there, yes. your ride height will go up. i think the stock wheel/tire height was somewhere around 30-31 inches. the bigger wheels and tire combinations they are referencing will put you about 2-3 inches taller than stock. that amount of space will throw off your speedo by a little bit. you usually have around 1/2 an inch to play with on tire diameter without messing it up. thats why i stuck with my 20's, i get the amount of sidewall i like, and dont have to worry. i still like the look of the 22's, but i didnt want to deal with the tire height and speedo recalibration for the amount of sidewall i'd prefer (plus theyre more expensive). i may later, but if you get a tuner that you can change the height its up in the air. i will do the same thing you are talking about and put on my stock combo when it snows just so i dont mess my 20s up, because here in maryland they salt before it even snows so theres salt on the road until around may. it just was more convenient for me to get the 20's as i can just pop one set or the other on and not have to worry about my speedo at all. you could go for the 22's with a lower profile tire, and try to stay close to stock though. all up to you. as far as 2" shackles go, they look good with even the stock rims and tires on there. they're very easy to install, maybe an hour in your driveway if you're handy. its all personal preference on what you want. well, there's my input from the big wheels/street standpoint.
there are some good starting points for 22's on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/22-in...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Don't shackles hurt the amount you can tow or put in the bed, increasing "squat" of the rear when weight is in the back? I'm just really nervous about messing with the suspension. This is something I'll be researching all winter and have a subject matter knowledge neccessary to make a decision then. Thanks for the info!!! I'm hanging between 22's and shackles (which I know nothing about, and worried that would be streeting or lowering a 4x4 too much) and 20's with a more truck looking tire (have you ever seen Purpony's setup? I wonder if I could pull that off without a leveling kit.)

Thanks again everyone,

Duke