I am brand new to the F150 world (been living in Wrangler world for a long time) and don't know much. I have a 2018 XLT Super Crew Cab with 20x8.5 OEM sport wheels. I'm likely going with Toyo ATII 35x12.5x20 tires. I already put on Bushwacker extend-a-fender flares so stock tires look ridiculous. This truck will be primarily for road driving. Off roading will still be with my Wrangler. In a perfect world I don't want to lift it at all. Here are a few questions:

1) With no lift or leveling I understand they will rub. Correct?
2) Thinking of 1.5" spacers. How much will this affect things?
3) What is the minimum I need to do to keep from rubbing during normal driving?

Thanks.

 

You will have to lift it.

 

1) With no lift or leveling I understand they will rub. Correct?

Yes

2) Thinking of 1.5" spacers. How much will this affect things?

With the size of the tires they will still rub. Yes they would look much better but will rub

3) What is the minimum I need to do to keep from rubbing during normal driving?

Again, with the size tire you want to run you need to do a 2.5" level or not use the spacers.

Assuming you are going to do the spacers with the Stock wheels to bring them out to look right because of the flares... a 2.5" level is necessary.
You could not level, use the spacers and do a 285-60 / 275-65

For safety, I would leave the crash bars... but if you were to remove them you can run the tires you want with the spacers and not rub without leveling.

Hopefully there will be more chime in

 

Thank you. Assuming no spacers it will still rub? Don't laugh when I ask this but do spacers generally make the rubbing situation better or worse?

Assuming I don't want to do anything with the crash bars it sounds like I can get away with leveling kit only. Would the minimum required leveling lift be different with or without spacers?

 

Yes, 35x12.5 tires will absolutely rub on an otherwise stock truck, spacers or not.

Wheel spacers that poke the wheels and tires farther out (or using wheels with less offset, number closer to zero or into negatives, stock is +44) generally make rubbing more likely, as the wheels/tires are not centered inside the wheel well where they belong

 

Spacers are hard on wheel bearings, so try to keep the wheels as close to stock as spacing. Example, if you get 2" wider wheels, put 1" on the inside and 1" on the outside.

 

2016 F150 Eco 3.5. 2" Rough Country Leveling Kit, Borra 1.5 spacers, Bushwacker flares, Toyo 305/55/R20 on Factory Rims, Crash bars front and back removed and a very small flap wheel trim. If you still crank it while backing up and turning (like out of your driveway) you can get it to rub very slightly. I love the tire and I love the look there is not a day that goes by where someone does not make a comment on how good it looks.

 

Very helpful. Surprised you're rubbing with a leveling kit and what are essentially 33s. Looks like the spacers and tire size brought them to about flush with the fender flares. That's what I'm looking for. Don't really want any poke but not tucked either. Thanks again.