Hey guys,

Am looking at buying a 99 F-150 Regular Cab, Flareside 4x4, and it'll need an upgrade for wheels and tires.

So, this is what I need clarified....

What's the max size tires that will fit WITH aftermarket rims (16 or 17), without cranking the torsion bars?

What width does the wheel need to be (and I need to figure out the offset of course)? 8 or 10?

I'd like to not messs with the torsion bars OR trim the valence, just keep it stock with some more aggressive wheels and tires.


Thanks!!!

 

id say go with a 17" wheel with 4.5" of backspacing and 285/70/17's tires.

any specific reasons for not wanting to crank the torsion bar adjustment keys to level the truck out?

 

I'd really consider going with 16x10's and 305/70-16's (33x12.50). You will have to trim the valance, but it's not a big deal and isn't noticable if you take your time. I have pics in my gallary.

 

I guess I just don't want the tires sticking out too far and having to trim anything, and from what I read here, cranking the torsion bars might lead to premature wear.

I'd like to avoid anything that may be a problem in the future.

Other than that, my options are only a body lift or a full 6" kit, correct?

By the way, on the topic of backspacing, is 4.5" stock?

 

im pretty sure 4.5 is stock.

cranking your torsion bars just enough to level the truck is not going to lead to any "noticeable premature wear"

Mine have been cranking for over a year (all the way up) and i havent had the slightest problem.

If you would like ill post a picture of my setup TB's cranked all the way 3" body lift 36x12.5x16's mounted on stock steel wheels. they dont stick out at all. its actually hard to get my truck dirty do to the fact that the tires are 99% under the truck.

One thing that you will have to come too. Is that cv shafts and ball joints are COMMON wear and tear items. they will have to be replace at one point or another. And with a truck thats almost 10 years old its just a matter of time.

 

Aftermarket - you have some legit concerns. I had the same. But if crank your torsion bars you'll be fine. I cranked mine up on 2 different f150s (00 and an 03) and didn't have any issues. I wouldn't over due them, most guys crank them to level the front end, I just cranked mine so my tires wouldn't rub and took off the black plastic strip at the bottom of the air dam. To have the appearance of a leveled front end.

The BL is totally up to you. If it is installed correctly, you can make your truck look great and it's totally safe (if installed correctly). It will make no difference on your suspension. It just depends how large of a tire you want to go...

- Trimble, how did you get 36's with just a 3" BL. I'd like to see a pic please...

 

this is probably the best pic i have of the setup but ill keep looking.

The way i did this was by adding a 3" Body Lift, cranking the torsion bars all the way up this gave me close to 5.2" of lift in the front (BL + TB crank)

Then i bought a used set of Super Swamper TSL's 36x12.5x16 for $50 These tires are NARROW only 9" tread width

I also used the stock steel wheels

then i "trimmed" the plastic on the bumper. I didnt care that i destroyed the bumper because im getting Road Armor bumpers eventually.

so heres the pic

 

Nice. I didn't think it was possible to fit 36s on just a 3" BL with these trucks. Looks good.

 

yeah its possible. but they do rub when offroading (only if you hit a bump too hard)

I wouldnt recommend this to anyone. Unless you plan on lifting it higher later in the future.

 

I was gonna say, I'm happy with the look and feel of my 35s. I'm not going to go higher than that, regardless as to whether I decide to eventually put no more than a 4" suspension lift on at some point down the road.

 

as you can tell i still have "flex" room just not much of it

 

Aftermarket, take a look through my gallary. I have a ton of pics with 16x10 inch wheels with 4.5 inches of bs. I have pics at stock height with 33's, a body lift and 33's and a body lift with 35's. Using a 10 inch wide wheel will put the edge of the front tires just about even with the edge of the fender flares. They won't be hanging out in the breeze.
Also, the OEM 16x7 and 17x7.5 inch wheels both have 4.5 inches of bs.