I have a 04 FX4 4x4 with the supercab. I have the 17 stock alloy rims that come with some FX4 trucks but I'm interested in purchasing a used pair of 18 FX4 rims off ebay (I like the look of the 18s). I want to put the maximum BF Goodrich tire of either the all terrain or the mud terrain on my truck and do it as cheap as possible. From reading other posting I think the 35 x 12.5 x 17 or the 35 x 12.5 x 18 (I believe the 315 x 70 x 17 is the same size) will fit with a 2.5 leveling kit put on. I have looked at BF Goodrich's website and noticed that it says the 35 x 12.5 tires fit a rim width of 8.5 to 10.0. The stock rim is only 7.5 wide. I would like to use the stock rims and I believe I have seen pictures on the web of F-150's with the 35 x 12.5 tire on the stock rims of both the 17 x 7.5 and 18 x 7.5 rim. Can someone confirm to me that the 35 x 12.5 tire will fit on the stock rim before I make this purchase? Also will it fit my truck with only the leveling kit and if it does will there be any rubbing? I guess if the tires dont fit I will be going with the 285 x 70 x 17 mud terrain. Thank you for the responses, I do appreciate them.

 

If you put the 35's on the thin 7.5 inch wide rim it will cause the tread to "Balloon" & wear badly in the middle. Also, you won't have the ball-joint clearance needed...I.E. the tire will hit the upper a-arm when sitting still because there is not enough backspacing on the 18" stock rim.

I would stick with your 17's & put the BF Goodrich MT 285/70R17 = 32.7 x 11.2...these will also look much better as your wheel wells wont be stuffed full of tire.

I just bought some MT Classic Lock 17x9's because there simply wasn't a decent tire selection for my 18's.

I should sell you my 18's from my '05 Lariat 4x4

 

Several people have used 315/70-17's (35x12.50) and 35x12.50-18's on 04-06 4x4's by using a 2.5 inch leveling kit and the OEM 17x7.5 and 18x7.5 inch wheels. Also, yes the 7.5 inch wide wheels are 1/2 inch narrower than BFG recommends for their tires, but several members here and at FTW are using them with no problems. Some of these members have been running them for several thousand miles. Also, I've never read any post about rubbing on the ball joints. Most members say they get some minor rubbing on the frame at full steering lock, but that was on the 97-03 trucks.

 

I would think the gas would stink,but the 35 size muds on the stock ford 18's looks rel good to me.The dealer around here keeps about 4 or 5 trucks for sale with the front lifted and 35 bfg muds on some of theri new f150s

 

Yes they will work fine. Wandell is 100% correct. I can tell you that the tires do look skinney with that narrow rim. I ran 17" stock wheels with 35 12.5 17 and it barely rubs the inside at full wheel turn. I also only have the 2.5 leveling kit. I just changed over to 17x9 and it totally changed the look of the tire, it looks bad as hell now. I have no rubbing at all now due to the 4.5" backspace of the new wheels. I cannot speak directly to the 18" wheels but there shouldn't be any difference.

 

Post some pictures so we can see how those 4.5" backspaced wheels hang out of the wheel wells.

 

Thanks guys. I will be going with the 35's and I cant wait to put them on.