I need some help and I have a few questions that I am hoping someone can help me on. I have 2004 F150 2 x 4 Supercrew. It is stock height, no lowering kits. I want to go with either 20", 22" or 24" rims and tires.

Which would look the best on a stock height truck?
What is the largest tire I can go with to fill the wheel well, but NOT rub?
Will this offset my speedo?
Can I recalibrate my speedo for the tire/rim that I choose?
How can I recalibrate the speedo?
Will this affect my gas mileage and performance?

I appreciate all the info I can get this and not make the wrong decision. Thanks for any help that you can offer to a Newbie around here.

:santa:

 

24's look the best, but you will get a better ride out of a 20. I would go 22's as it is a compromise between the two. I can't tell you what size tire top run, as I have no direct experience with big rims. What I can tell you is that height should not be an issue for you, just the width. New rims and tires will only offset your speedo if the overall diameter of the tire changes. In other words, the change in rim size does not change your speedo, it's the size of the tire. If you end up with a bigger or smaller tire diameter, you can take your truck to your dealership and have them program your computer for the change, or for a little more money you can buy an aftermarket tuner and do it yourself. The advantage to the tuner is that you get a boost in horsepower as well. Bigger rims mean more weight, which means it takes more effort for the engine to turn them, which in the end results in a drop in gas mileage. You will most likely not see a drastic drop, but you will at least lose some MPG. If you go with the tuner, though, the gain in horsepower will most likely compensate for the extra weight of the rims and will take care of that issue. It will also take care of the performance issue as well. You could even see gains in horsepower and mileage with the tuner. As far as handling goes in performance, you should have better handling when cornering, as you will have a tire with a shorter sidewall, which means that the weight of the truck will not cause the tire to "roll over" as much in a corner.

 

Japickar pretty much hit the nail on the head. I just wanted to add a pick to show what 20's did to mine and yes it did affect the speedo. I started with 16's. Also I went with 285/50's, if I turn sharp they rub the sway bar.

 

I went with 20"s, here's a look see. I did not need to make any mods to suspension and have no tire rubbing at all. The tires are 285/55/20's any bigger rim and you end up with very little rubber, and to me that look does not look right on a truck. Good luck with your choice. Oh, my speedo may be off but not by much.

Scott

 

Take a look at my truck. I'm running 20" with a 275/55/20 tire and I have no rubbing issues at all. The ride is also vastly improved. My speedo went off about 1 mph. The gas mileage is not an issue because it doesn't affect it enough to notice. Good luck.

My Truck

 

Thanks for all the info! I guess now it is a matter of just making my mind up what look I want to achieve (more chrome and less tire or vice versa) and do I want to sacrafice any of my ride. I am leaning more toward the 22"! Thanks again for your help.