I have a 2006 F150 STX and I just had a 2.5 inch level kit and 2 inch wheel spacers put on it. I have aftermarket 20 inch wheels. It was not rubbing before now it is, I was wondering what caused this... I don't know what it is rubbing on. mostly in reverse and on bumpy roads.

 

Oh man - 2.5" is too much. And wheel spacers ( 2" !!! ) are dangerous.

Yer ball joints ( and CV's if it's a fer x fer ) will really take a whuppin' due to excessive angles.

You did not specify a tire size or type ( e.g agressive with large sidewall lugs ), so the following is just SWAG:

Check...

UCA's
front valence
upper wheel well
inner wheel well
spring/shock assembly

... for wear marks.

Good luck.

MGD

 

It is a 2 wheel drive. I was wondering how big I could go on new tires without rubbing. But I already rub, should I just take off the spacers or get a shorter level.. or even lift it. I really want a 4 inch lift but if it is still gonna rub I don't want to waste the money on it. tire size is currently 275/55/20

 

I really want to put on a 4 inch lift and 305/55r20 on this truck...will this stop the rubbing or will it continue to occur?

 

It might continue with those wheel spacers. Take the wheel spacers off, and a 4" kit would be perfect. But you also need to check and make sure the backspacing/offset you have on the wheels now will work with the required specs for a 4" kit.

But like MGD said, 2.5" is about the limit for what's considered acceptable for leveling kits, so if you want more room a lift would be needed.

 

so a 4 inch lift would fix the problem and I could keep the spacers on

 

Possibly, but depending on the current wheel specs the rubbing could just be moved somewhere else. Whats the backspacing/offset on your current wheels?

 

I honestly don't know how to measure that.. Im new to all the technical stuff. I have always modified my vehicles from dodge to a mustang, this is my first ford truck to mess with

 

The spacers are likely pushing the wheels out too much, and that's causing the rubbing. With some 35x12.5 tires, you won't need them to get that wider stance.

Get a 6" lift though, because 2wds with a 6" look exactly like a 4wd with a 4", which I assume is the look you're after. I also don't know if anyone makes a 4" for us 2wd guys.

 

see i figured I would go with a 6 inch because I can find one online for around 1600 and my installer in town can get a 4 inch for a 2wd but it cost 1400 so I might as well get the larger lift for the price.... I still really don't want to get that wide of tire I like the 305/55R20 Nitto he showed me. Good price for going long distance working. the largest I might get would be 315/60R20...but I really like the spacers so it sticks out more

 

^^^ That's the part I just don't get. ( Oh wait, did you say Texas? Nevermind )

Besides them ruining your suspension geometry, that looks really silly to most folks. And in some jurisdictions is illegal, unless covered with flares.

The ideal, proper, safe and smart solution is a properly spec'd set of wheels.

BTW - this here makes Zero sense - contradictory:

You don't think Doodges have offset concerns? (Or read literally, you were turning Doodges into 'stangs. lol). How can you say you've 'always' modded yer vehicles and yet be "New to the tech stuff"???? Further, IF you don't know how to measure ( or have a gap in other 'tech' know-how ) then perhaps you should just strap on Google or a library or some classes and learn, hmmm? Yer makin' no sense here, brosef.

Additionally - In yer journey to enlightenment, you WILL also find an infinite number of actual horror stories of spacer failures and other related suspension failures attributable to using them, along with a plethora of incidents resulting from ill-considered, poorly planned and executed suspension modifications.

Whatever - just hope nothing breaks while at speed. Christmas is less than a month away - wouldn't want to miss it



MGD

 

Dear Mr, Mrs, or (probably more appropriate) Jr Parsons,

I really can't add anything to what good ol' Peetz and MGD have said on this subject. However, I would like to post an added emphasis on the danger of wheels spacers.

Just...don't. Please? Not only will they pekker the geometry of ye suspension, etc, but they are inherently dangerous. If yer bound and determined to have the skateboard look, do yer offset right with wheels that are manufactured with the offset in mind.

And if you absolutely have to have yer truck sittin' higher than the Chebbie ye park beside at school, I'd go with a proper, complete lift kit from a reputable manufacturer and have it professionally installed.

By the way, you won't talk fellas like Peetz, MGD, or me into seeing things your way. You asked for advice, and you've received extremely sound advice based upon experience and general know-how. Yer will to ride high-n-wide won't trump said advice - know matter how strong the will. The proverbial, "it is what it is" applies here.

I know, I know....yer after a certain "look". But you can have a great look with great functionality, too. Don't be one of those Millennials that insists upon form yet throws function to the wind. Be a live fish, son! Swim against the flow!

Additionally, it's devilishly hard to read yer offerin's. The use of complete thoughts and punctuation along with the abandonment of run-on sentences will help here. You know...stuff you learned in grammar school. Considering you have about 5-7 years experience, y'all ortta be able to manage it.

Sincerely,

The DewserB

 

okay the grammar part is my fault. I am from texas, and where I live the spacers are very common. A lot of people have the entire wheel and tire sticking out and it looks trashy. I just wanted a little offset to bulk up the look of the truck. What I meant the dodge thing was, I have leveled a dodge pickup and put on 20 inch wheels. I was told that dodges have a higher clearance than ford, so less rubbing occurs. Also I supped up my ford mustang with wheels and tires and a tuner. The being new to technical part was more of the spec area. Per say I don't know the exact dimensions to which a vehicle can run on certain sizes of tires. Not trying to gain any approval I did ask for advice but including this I asked for tips on what would fix it.. Not lets diss on me due to lack of time to grammatically correct my sentences. Asking for advice on something is one thing, telling someone everything they did is wrong and is stupid to be Texan is completely different. Thank you for the advice tho, I can deal with not having the spacers, just thought I would try them out. I was more concerned with the rubbing due to the 2.5 level, and how to fix it.

 

There's multiple ways to measure the backspacing and/or offset.
http://www.4wheelparts.com/tire-whee...ckspacing.aspx

That's a simple one to follow, but there's plenty of youtube videos too. But also, most manufacturers stamp it on the inside of the wheel. Or if you know the model and manufacturer of the wheel, you can usually find it pretty easily on their website. If nothing else, post a picture of the wheel and we can try to go from there.

If you get one of those numbers, you can easily see whether your current wheels would be compatible with a 6" lift, without the need for a spacer.

Without knowing the backspacing or the offset though, anything I recommend as to what height to go to is going to be a blind guess.

 

Yeah, just go with that 6"! 315mm wide tires are the metric equivalent of 12.5" wide ones, just so you know.

While I wouldn't personally run spacers, they're the same as highly negative offset wheels as far as wheel bearings and suspension components are concerned. I'm not gonna lecture you and tell you to take them off. Just be VERY diligent in keep them tightened down and check as often as possible.

Me, MGD, and Dewser (especially these two) speak in white trash/redneck, aka "Bubba," speak all the time, so don't stress about any grammar things.

As for the Texan comment, it has nothing to do with you personally. MGD just likes freezin his keester off in Canada See here for reference on the "inside joke" . . .
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ge...s-stuff-2.html
(don't bring that into this thread though please. I just showed you so you'd know why he made the joke)