I'm planning on installing a 2 or 2.5 inch leveling kit on my 2005 F150 FX4. I would like to run something close to 33", maybe a little bigger. From the calculations I've done, 285/70/18 or 295/65/18 would be perfect. However, most 285 width tires I'm seeing are only in 285/65/18, and I haven't found many 295 width either. According to the calculator, this is 32.6" tall. Will look much different than 33"? I don't want the tires to look too small. For now, they will be on the stock FX4 18" rims. Pics would be awesome!

 

You can check some of the existing threads for pics of hat you're looking for. But have you considered going to about 34"? I've got 275/60/20s (33.0") on my 2006 2wd with a 2" level and I think they're just about right, but could be a little bigger. And your truck is going to sit a good bit higher. But definitely check some of the tire and suspension forums for relevant and comparable pictures

 

You won't notice a difference in .4" and depending on the actual true specs they could be even closer than that. Also you should be able to fit those with no lift at all, but I don't think they'd look too small even with a level.

 

I thought about 34" but would they be too big? I don't want rubbing issues and also don't want to take down gas mileage too much. Btw, good quote by Toby Keith.

 

Thanks! But it's really all preference. If memory serves correctly, you should be able to fit 35x12.50 (305mm wide ish) tires with a 2-2.5" level with a little bit of trimming of the plastic liners in your fenders. But you'll be more prone to running because the stock wheels have an offset that makes them hug close to the truck. You'll fit any 33 no problem and should be able to fit 34s even with the stock wheels. Could be wrong though, Pizzaman will probably know. And you can also look for pics, there's hundreds. I know one guy on here has full 35s on a 4x2 with a level and stock wheels, but unsure of how much of his inner fender is left

 

Yup you can shove a 35x12.50 in there, but you'll probably have do some minor trimming and might be still left with some minor rubbing depending on tire choice. A 34" depending on width and tread pattern could fit perfectly with no rubbing with a 2.5" level. As for gas mileage the difference between a 34" and a 33" tire shouldn't be that noticeable. What rear end gear ratio do you have now?

 

It has a 3.73. Also, does the width of the tire affect mpgs much? I was thinking of about 11-11.5 width. Thanks for the help!

 

i run 275/70/18 which is roughly 33.2x11x18 and am happy. 2 inch level with 3.73 gears and averaging 15-16 mixed driving

 

Width and tread pattern add more rolling resistance, weight of the tires adds more rotating mass, both of those will affect gas mileage, but with the size your looking at the difference between a 11 and 11.5" wide tire won't be noticeable.

 

I used to be running 305/40/22 (31.5) and my MPG stayed right about bang on with how it was with those when I switched to the 275/60/20 (33). So I'd say that height and width matter, but overall weight and the type of tread likely affect it more. If you were going with a 15.5" wide tire, it would probably be more noticeable haha. You probably won't notice much difference