snib725

Before you cut your crash bars or bend them with a spreader, try this. It worked for me after I added 20"X9" Fuel Assault wheels (+1 offset) with 305/55/R20 Nitto Ridge Grappler tires to my 2018 F-150 Platinum. There is a fair amount of play in the crash bars after the bolts have been loosened. I had a full 1/4" at the point where it was rubbing:




With the two bolts loosened, use a rubber mallet to drive the back of a standard claw hammer into the space between the crash bar and the opening in the frame. This will force the crash bar to its outermost position without bending anything. With the hammer still in place, tighten the bolts. The hammer can then be removed easily by tapping it with a rubber mallet:



You will absolutely need to use jack stands for this. The bolts holding the crash bars in place are crazy tight from the factory. You'll shake the truck as you loosen them and you won't want to depend on the stability of your jack.

I did this to all 4 crash bars and it gave me enough clearance so that my tires no longer rub. I didn't have to cut or bend (except for the plastic fender) so the integrity of the crash bars was maintained.I hope it works for you as well.

Zach Ruf

Might be a dumb question, but when setting up do you just have it on both the front and back crash bar? And how did you tell/know when to stop spreading the crash bars? I need to do this, this weekend and not sure what to expect

Pienstar

If I remember correctly, I just put the spreader between the front and rear bar. I didn't measure how much I spread them, but you will notice them move. Once they move a bit, keep the spreader in place for a bit. If you still have rubbing afterwards, you can always go back and try to spread them a little more.... Good luck!

Zach Ruf

Thank you! I will be sure to come back and update Saturday. Did you loosen the bolts on the crash bar prior? Or just kept everything as is?

Pienstar

No problem! No, I did not loosen the bolts.