I have a 2004 FX4 with stock 18" rims and recently installed a 2.5 inch Rough Country leveling kit. I thought that I had done enough research before buying tires, but I may have been wrong. I read a few posts on F150online and even spoke with a person from Rough Country. The person at rough country stated that I would be able to fit 35x12.5 inch tires with the 2.5 leveling kit. So I bought 35x12.5/R18 Nitto Trail Grapplers. Took them to be mounted at the tire shop and they said that they will not fit. They are hitting the upper ball joint. I have seen a few threads, but no answers on how I can fix this. Will spacers work? My next step is a suspension lift if I cant fit these tires. Can't ship them back, was going to cost 500 bucks! Thanks for the help.

 

Did the shop do the front end alignment first? No one else has had problems with a 35x12.50 tire hitting the ball joints when using the OEM 17 or 18 inch wheels. This has been a problem with the OEM 20 inch wheels due to their backspacing. YOu didn't mention what wheel you are using. By chance are you running an aftermarket wheel with a ton of backspacing?.

 

No alignment was done. I have the OEM 18 inch wheels. I took it to sears auto and they put one tire on and said that they could only get about 1/4 turn out of the steering wheel before the wheel hit the top ball joint. I have seen a thread on f150online where someone was having the same problem. I contacted rough country and they said I might have to use a 1/4 inch spacer, but I am not sure if I want to do that. I wonder if get all 4 tires on and the truck on the ground will change this?

 

Those should fit with no no problems at all. Take some pictures of what you have now with the stock tires on, and take pics of the spacer with the steering fully articulated.

Who installed the level kit?

 

I installed the leveling kit myself. It was very easy. I will take some pictures shortly. Thanks for replying.

 

I put the same kit on with new rims with -12 offset and i rub at about 3/4 turn. I'm gonna get a 6inch lift I think. I don't want to add another spacer I think the angle will be too much and the ride will suck. Nice choice on the tires I'm running them too. I was thinking about a 3inch body lift too but I don't want to install it n neither does my buddy. Good luck

 

Yeah, Rancho makes a 4" lift kit that I am going to have installed soon. I decided I am going to go this route. Plus they have a $500 rebate right now if you buy a lift kit and shocks. Pretty good deal in my opinion. Thanks for the reply.

 

I just installed a 2.5" RC kit on my 06 with 20" OEM wheels. I also just added 35x12.5 Toyo AT II's.... while I was skeptical the wheel/tire would hit the upper ball joint it doesn't. Its really close.. almost uncomfortable close.. but the drive from the Tire shop didn't show any rubbing.





It still needs an alignment from the Leveling kit install. However I'm not convinced this will get much better. While it doesn't make contact it still doesn't sit well with me.

Anyhow... OEM 20s work with the RC leveling kit, but its close

Cheers

Nem