I want to change my 18" wheels on my 2021 to 20". I've never bought wheels before so I don't know much about wheels. Are Ford OEM wheels better made than aftermarket wheels? Which aftermarket brands are quality? Thanks.

 

upgrading from 18" to 20" is a pretty safe bet, but of course larger wheels means worse MPG , fuel economy, probably 1-2 miles per gallon lost. if you buy thicker wheels and they stick out beyond the wheel well it gets much worse.

I like the look of the brand called "Fuel" they make some really nice designs and I see them all over the place here in California.

You might visit some stores and get some feedback from professionals, and look at tire rack online of course. They seemingly have some of the best selection, amazing service, and of course a site most retailers would love to have. You can actually talk to a human at tire rack, I have, and I have bought several sets of tires from them.

Have fun!

 

Going to 20" and depending on the rubber you slap on can change your performance and handling quite a bit.
I've been driving mine with 20" 275/55R20 like a Porsche, no way I could be doing that with 18" unless I had little baby tires mounted.

What are your goals?

 

I've done both. The 18's feel better as more sidewall, mind you I have 34" Ridge Grappler. But just ordered new 20's from Fuel, and going back to a 295/60/20

 

why ?

 

What BS on the effect of going to 20 inch rims v 18 EPA ratings are identical. I make the EPA numbers every road trip and have bettered them significantly doing 25.9mpg hand calculated over 496 miles on interstates the same day I also did 24.0 over 456 miles. Yes. All in one day. Hand calculated. I also have a habit of towing so my lifetime MPG is lower. But getting 20 plus is easily possible most days.

 

What is possible depends on many factors.

Just the 20" wheels alone (but of course you change the tire too), doesn't create the necessary factors that might add to (meaningful) weight and perhaps a meaningful degradation in MPG. But users are generally after a more aggressive stance, and look, and this often also means taller. So changing the tire to something with a higher profile, wider stance, adds aerodynamic drag, also tire rotational resistance can come into play, but studies have shown tire diameter is a major factor. If the wheel is lighter, and the tire diameter is low profile (smaller) then sure. Not much difference or anything noticeable, that's possible. But this is not what is often chosen in the truck world. People want the taller stance, the more masculine look.

Our own forum created a good post on this, and you can see that here.

The variations and biases and mindset differences, spell themselves out, as the thread progresses. It is pretty funny and I guess history likes to repeat itself.

As far as physics.
Taller trucks increase air resistance or drag. Not good for MPG (assuming you get taller and/or wider tires of course).
More open spoke designs eat more air. Also a negative on MPG.
Increasing the tire width and diameter (higher profile) will be a negative depending on how "far you go".

Plenty of studies on this.... your AI agent can fill your page buffer with tons of methodical studies on this topic.

How much depends on the total physics.

 

I'm proud to say, I've done everything possible, other than a Whipple, to absolutely murder my mileage, including running E85. Ha, I'm down to 10.2 according to the lie-o-meter. But having fun.

 

lololololllllllllll

I come here for the lulz

 

THIS...have fun, want gas mileage, buy a Honda.