Hello everyone,
I just purchased a certified pre-owned 2004 Ford F-150 4x4 FX4 in yellow from my local ford dealer and I have to say that I made the right decision on going for an F-150 over the competitors. I would like to thank you guys for all the information on this forum w/c made my decision easy. I got the dealer to run the truck on a diagnostic machine, replaced all 8 spark plugs and new Bridgestone duelers included on the final price. No major problems found except for a weak battery. The diagnostic machine was pretty cool, one of its test was to individually fire injectors to make sure proper amount of fuel was injected, it checks line pressure loss and identify leaking injectors. This was done by just plugging into the OBD-II port.

Well its time for the upgrades. I installed some H13 silverstars and now inquiring about 20” wheel and tire package to replace the stock set. The goal is to put in some 20x8.5 + 30 American Racing Wheels with maybe 32” or 33” tires w/out any suspension modifications. For tire size, 285/55-20 BFG KO (32.1”) or Nitto Terra Grapplers in 275/60-20 (32.99”).

Will this setup work without rubbing?
Can I install the wider 305/55-20 tires?
Will 33” tire be too tall for my 3.75 final drive?
Nitto Terra Grapplers performance in snow?

The main reason for not getting a lift or leveling kit is because my truck will only be used for towing sport bikes and light offroading, mainly fire roads and a couple of months of negotiating snow and ice covered roads. MPG is also a concern and I prefer the truck to have the standard rake.

I tried using the search option but I can only manage to find similar threads but all had a leveling kit.

Thanks in advance,
Dan

 

You should be able to fit 305/55-20's (33x12.50) with the right wheel.

 

Wandell,
305/55-20's (33x12.50 ) tires would work on what wheel? American Racing RT-S has a offset of +30. will this not work? W/c wheel spacing do you know that will work on this 33" tire? I really want to get the RT-S wheel, will a 32" 285/55-20 tire have no issues?

 

If you use something in the range of a 9 inch wide wheel with 5.5 or 6 inches of backspacing you should be fine. You will probably have problems with any wheel with less than 5 inches of backspacing.

 

Wandell,
The American Racing RT-S Wheel has a 6" backspacing according to there website.
So, the latest wheel and tire combo will be:

American Racing RT-S black 20x8.5 +30 (6"backspacing)
Nitto Terra Grapplers LT275/60R20 (32.99")
or
BFGoodrich TA ko LT285/55R20 (32.5")

I only have a 3.73 rear end so I will probably go with a 32" tire size

What do you think.

Anyone running similar wheel and tire setup?

UPDATE: I called two local shops in my area and they both think that 6" backspacing will rub and require trimming.
Thay are recommending a 2" leveling kit from Daystar and a pair of cam bolts for the alignment. - - Are they trying to rip me off?
$350.00 parts and labor if cam bolt not required.
$500.00 parts and labor including the leveling kit and the cam bolts.

 

Your OEM wheels have 5.5 inches of backspacing. A few members here are running wheels with 6 inches of backspacing with no problems. The wheels on my Expy (same wheel used on F-150) have 6.7 inches of backspacing. Ford sells a wheel for your truck with 7 inches of backspacing. I believe a 20x8.5 inch wheel with 6 inches of backspacing will work with any of the tires you listed. If you have any rubbing, it should be minor and just require some trimming. The tires/wheel combo you listed will fit easily with a 2 or 2.5 inch leveling kit. Most leveling kits are about $100 and most cam bolt kits are around $40. I don't think you will need cam bolts with a leveling kit. Most 04-07 owners don't.