I have a 2005 F-150 xlt4x4 with 17 inch wheels stock. I am going to install a two inch leveling kit and want to buy new tires and wheels. I want to keep 17 inch wheels on the truck but i have been reading the threads on here and am a little confused. I am unsure of the backspacing i should run on the wheels and the size tire i can run without rubbing any help you guys can provide me with would be great. Sorry for the noob question but i figured i would ask it to people who are the pros.

 

I'd suggest a 9 inch wide wheel with 5 to 6 inches of backspacing and some 33 inch tires. Personally, I'd suggest going with an 18 inch wheel. I personally think there is a better selection of 18 inch tires and wheels.

 

A 17x9 with 5 inches of backspacing would look great with some 295x70 or 305x65 tires. If you want a larger tire you will need a 17x8 wheel with 5 1/2 inches of backspacing. These will clear a 35x12.5 tire on a leveled 4x4. The same thing will apply to an 18" wheel, and like Wandell said may give you a larger selection of tires.

 

thanks for the help. the wheels that i am interested in are the moto metal 951 and the american racing thug. the 951 have a backspacing of 4.5 inches with a -12mm offset will these fit with a 33 inch tire? and the thug has a 15mm offset with no backspacing listed. what is the difference between offset and backspacing or are they the same thing?

 

Backspacing and offset are two differnt ways of measuring the same thing. Backspacing is the distance from the mounting surface of the wheel (where it bolts to the hub) to it's rear edge. Offset is the distance from the mounting surface of the wheel to the center of the wheel. BS is much easier to understand because it doesn't change with wheel width.
The MM wheels you chose will fit but they are also available with 5.7 and 6.1 inches of bs. I think a 9 inch wide wheel with 5.7 inches of bs will be the best choice. The one's with 4.5 inches of bs will fit with 33's, but they will stick out farther.

 

I would keep the factory 17" wheels, level the truck, and put up to a 315/70R17 tire on it. We do this same setup to brand new F150's at the dealership all the time.