Recently asked for price quotes for 17x9 Helo Maxx 6 for my 2004 F150 Lariat 4wd Screw. The wheel shop told me I couldn't use the 17" as the rim was made in reverse and wouldn't clear the brake calipers. They gave me a good price on the 18" but just curious if this makes sense to anyone and could you explain to me. If true, I'll go 18". I cannot find the offset and backspacing specs for this rim which might help. Anyone know where I can find that?

 

I've never heard that before.

 

I guess it must be true, confirmed at a different rim store by calling Helo. Guess it will be 18" rims.

'course that allows me to get the nitto mud grapplers or toyo open country mt's.

 

I do not understand what you are talking about... are you saying that the backspacing is in the opposite direction that we need? Please explain more! Thanks!

 

I asked for a price quote on the rims with tires . . . They responded:

"Thank you for the note. We can do the Helo Maxx 6 in 18" The 17" will not clear the calipers."

I replied "Why won't the 17" clear the calipers? The F150 comes stock with 17" rims. What is the backspace and offset for both the 17 and 18" Helo Maxx 6 rims?"

Their response was: "These wheels are made reverse so they have a smaller drop center which hit the calipers."

Then I went to a local wheel and tire shop and asked them the same questions. They called their Helo Rep and asked. At the end they looked at me and said "No, the 17's will not work for your truck you must go with the 18's."

I'm still not sure I fully understand, but I also wasn't that hell bent on 17's over 18's. Just thought I'd save a bit on both the rims and the rubbers.

 

oh, and I still haven't been able to get the actual offset and backspace numbers. This is very important to me as I want to put on a suspension lift later and don't want to be limited (read all the issues with Richgonfishn and his rims).

 

i was on ftw earlier, and someone just had the maxx 6's installed on their truck??? 17 x9 no lessw. They look greaqt too!

 

That's interesting. I wonder if they had to trim the calipers?

For anyone following this thread, I finally found the specs on the 18x9 Helo Maxx 6:

Offset +10, Backspacing 5.5"

 

I don't get back spacing. So help me out here.

Stock is I believe 5.5" correct? So that means that these would be just like stock? but 5" of backspacing would stick out about .5" further than stock?

I need some help and this is the only factor stopping me from getting the Helo Maxx 6s.

 

There have been several post lately about 17's. Apparantly Ford changed to a larger brake caliper in Jan. of 2005 which is causing the fitment issues with some 17 inch wheels.
As for the backspacing question. The backspacing on the stock 7.5 inch wide wheels is 5.5 inches. If the 9 inch wide Helo's have the same backspacing they will "stick out" 1.5 inches farther than the stock wheels because they are 1.5 inches wider. Sounds like the perfect option to me.

 

What I find interesting is that the stock wheels have 5.5" backspacing but most of the suspension lifts say will only work with 5" or less backspacing. As far as I can tell only the Rancho lift will work with 5.5" BS.

I simply went with the leveling kit and body lift combo, which will be installed in about a week. Can't Wait!

 

I don't know about your truck, but I have them on my 2002 without any problems.

 

found this website with the specs for each wheel size for the Helo's during my search:

http://www.4wheelparts.com/PPT2453T100095.aspx

 

TerdFerguson

Can you post a pic of your truck? I'm looking at the 17" Helo Maxx's for my 2001 Screw 4x4.
Thanks.