Do I need a Leveling kit?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 02:10 PM
  #1  
rangermach1's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: St Louis
Do I need a Leveling kit?

Truck specs:
2004
F-150 xlt super cab 4x4
5.4L 3valve
stock rim/tire= 255/70/17 general ameritrac

I want to order a set of 18x9 helo maxx 6 rims with nitto terra grappler tires size 285/60/18, and I wanted to know before ordering if this tire/wheel combo will fit my truck with no leveling kit. Eventually I want a level kit, but Right now its frickin cold, and I don't have a heated garage or shop.

Anyone have pics of this setup.

The price seems good too! $1450.00 shipped.
thanx!!
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 02:27 PM
  #2  
BalogUK's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee, GA & Montana
a 285/60R18 is roughly 31.5" you will be fine without a leveling kit in this situation- should look great!
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 03:59 PM
  #3  
wandell's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 28,203
Likes: 2
From: cairo,ga
I agree.
 
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2007 | 06:36 PM
  #4  
jrussell63670's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis area
if you dont mind me askin where did you order from?
 
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 11:31 AM
  #5  
pkent03F-150's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Lower Alabama(nw fla)
go with a little bigger tire
 
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 12:12 PM
  #6  
mitchdb's Avatar
Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: TEXAS
What about a 285/65/18 without a leveling kit? Roughly 32.5"

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 12:23 PM
  #7  
rangermach1's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: St Louis
size is better, but!!

if I put any bigger than a 285/60/18, I will have to recalibrate my speedo, and I'm not payin Ford $100 bucks to do something that takes 5 seconds. and the programmer route is just to risky when you only have 22k miles on your truck.
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Feb 11, 2007 | 12:27 PM
  #8  
GUNZLINGER's Avatar
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I put 33x13.5 Mickey Thompsons on my 05 f150 and didn't need the leveling kit... I put it on anyways because it looks so much better.
 
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 01:07 PM
  #9  
mitchdb's Avatar
Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: TEXAS
Originally Posted by GUNZLINGER
I put 33x13.5 Mickey Thompsons on my 05 f150 and didn't need the leveling kit... I put it on anyways because it looks so much better.

Got any pics?
 
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 04:12 PM
  #10  
wandell's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 28,203
Likes: 2
From: cairo,ga
You don't HAVE to recalibrate your speedo (but it is a great idea). Your speedometer/odometer will only be off slightly.
 
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2007 | 02:19 PM
  #11  
pkent03F-150's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Lower Alabama(nw fla)
trust me get bigger tires or you will regret it!! you just have to remember when your goin 55 you really goin 60 its not that bad. get somee 33 inch tires
 
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2007 | 10:45 PM
  #12  
PawPaw's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,535
Likes: 28
From: Lockport, La.
Yeah, I would have to go a little larger with the 285x65x18's, but the price may be a little higher. Even with these it will only be 2 or 3 mph off.
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2007 | 10:58 AM
  #13  
dkstone05's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, area
Originally Posted by PawPaw
Yeah, I would have to go a little larger with the 285x65x18's, but the price may be a little higher. Even with these it will only be 2 or 3 mph off.
I'm in the same boat too. I can get the MM 951 with 285/60/18 or 285/65/18 at a good price. I will more than likely be putting a 2" AS on so I'm leaning towards the 285/65 since it will probably look alittle better. The situation is that the 285/65 is a LT or load rating of E compared to the XL rating on the 285/60. Will the E load rating make much of a difference in ride? The tires are Nitto AT's.

thanks much
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2007 | 12:36 PM
  #14  
mitchdb's Avatar
Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: TEXAS
Your speedometer will be off by a percentage! So the faster you go, the more it will be off. Going from a 30" tire to a 33" tire will be 10%, 5 mph off at 50mph and 10 mph off at 100 mph.

I installed a Superlift Truspeed on my Superduty with 38's and it works great. I used a handheld GPS for years as my speedo but the shift points were kinda screwey so I decided to go with the Truspeed. It was a fairly simple install, I think it only had 4 wires. The Truspeed needs to be mounted somewhere that you can get to it while you're driving because you adjust it while you're driving. You do need something to compare it to though, like a GPS. But once it's in, you can go with any size tire and correct the speedo really easy. I've had 2 different size tires (36's and 38's) on the truck since I installed it and it worked great with both sets.
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2007 | 09:39 PM
  #15  
PawPaw's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,535
Likes: 28
From: Lockport, La.
DKstone, I have Toyo AT's on my truck now "D" rated 8 ply which are close to the Nitto's and they are great tires except I find they ride a little rough. I dropped them down to 45psi and it didn't help much. I know the Nitto's are a great tire also but be prepared for a little rougher ride. Towing or hauling is where they shine.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:32 AM.