I've got some lightning wheels (oem 1999ish style I think) ordered from Tirerack.com. Anyone know if I will have to trim any on the front to prevent rubbing? I'm putting 285/60/18 tires on the 18x19.5 lightning rims. Will they rub when I turn the front wheels?

I'm putting them on a 2001 Ford XLT Flareside, shortbed, std cab, 2wd (same bodystyle as the lightning model). Anyone got some expierience with this? Oh, and my truck is factory ride height.

Thanks

 

I had 99 L wheels on my 01 s'crew 2wd and they did rub. The rim itself rubbed on a bolt that hold the front brake lines. You can buy a new steering stop from fordperformance parts and it will eliminate the prob. I think they sell for like $35.

 

Had '01 L wheels with 285/65R18 tires on my 2WD '01 SCrew.

Replaced the stock wheel stops with the Ford Racing L wheel stops:

P/N : M-1010-L 30.88 from Southwest Ford.


You need to get these from a Ford Racing dealership. I know www.oemfordparts.com is a Ford racing dealership, don't know about the other 2 for sure.

Used an angle grinder to take off the head of the "rivited" in stock wheel stop, and beat the stock wheel stop out. I do mean BEAT ! I did it on the ground ( jack stands ) with a 5# hammer and the drift, if you have it on a lift with an air impact hammer, it would be MUCH easier.

The new ones bolt into place and used Red lock tight on the threads ( included with the kit that I got, still shows that way ).

The specs on the '01 Wheels that I had : backspacing 5.80" on a 18"x9" Rim size.

 

thanks a lot for the advice

I got that wheel stop kit ordered, should be here by Friday. My wheels should arrive on Wednesday and my tires probably on Thursday. I hope to have it all together and on the truck by Friday afternoon

If I can find someone with a digital camera, I'll post before and after pics.

 

I have a 97 4x4 and they don't rub at all. The bolt thing is not true either. Mine fit perfect, and I have the same size tires. Check out my gallery. The wheels look great.

 

ryan150,

maybe your's don't rub because your's is 4x4? I don't know. I ordered that wheel stop kit because according to fordracingparts.com it says the kit is required for my application.

oh well, the kit was only 35 bucks.

sounds like you came out alright though

thanks

hey, what size tires are you running your lightning wheels?

 

i have cooper H/T plus 285/60/18. Good luck with yours. They always look great.

 

[EDIT]
Found your gallery, the wheels look to be the same ones that we are talking about..so with that new info :

What fits perfect ?

1. tire size YES
2. Wheel size YES
3. backspacing YES
4. all the above YES

The delta 4x2 to 4x4 might give enough cleanarnce with the backspacing 5.80" on a 18"x9" wheel size.
On a 4x2, the bolt holding the brake line will scar the inside lip of the rim, and any wheel weight that was there would be gone after ~ 3 trips around.
There are numerous threads on what happens if you don't change out the steering stops on a 4x2.
Learned something new for 4x4.
Also I don't recall a 1997 with newer L wheels on it, this could be the case 1997, that the steering stop is already larger ???