I have a wheel/tire question for the '04-'08 guys on here. My '08 XLT came with the 17x7.5 chrome wheels (5.5" backspacing I believe, dunno about offset), and I'm planning on swapping them out for 18x9 (5.98" backspacing, 25mm offset) wheels next week.

I've been told by a wheel/tire shop before, and seen it in a few other forums that I can't do much for aftermarket wheels because there's only like 1/4" of space between the brake calipers and wheel setup for the 17x7.5 OEM.

Anyone else on here upgrade from a 17x7.5 OEM to something bigger? And if it is a problem, would I just need some spacers when I get the new wheels?

 

I'm not really sure what you are asking. 10's of thousands of people are running aftermarket 17 to 26 inch wheels on 04-11 F-150's.

 

It is a little close, depending on the rim manufacturer. I've knocked off a few weights before - but only because the shop idiots staked weights, instead of using singles of the proper ones.