Silver2010FX4

PICS HAVE BEEN ADDED ON PAGE 2.


I picked up a 2010 Platinum the week before Christmas and did a few things to it. I read every post I could before I made my decisions...I like to be educated. I couldn't find any posts that provided the details I was looking for, so I decided to post some details on my lift and tire decisions. So this is what I did:


Stock: I took measurements from the ground to the top of the wheel well. The front measured 37 1/4" and the rear measured 39". I had a total rake of 1 3/4". I didn't really want to lift the rear because my intention was to buy 275-60-20 (33" tall) tires. I decided on the AS 1 1/2" leveling kit.


After Leveling: I installed the leveling kit and had the front end aligned. I drove the truck for a week on the stock 275-55-20 Pirelli tires to allow the front to "settle", which it never did. After a week of driving and measuring every couple days, the front was 39 1/4" and the rear 39". The front being higher than the rear was NOT the look I was going for. I decided to swap the stock 1 1/4" rear blocks for 2" blocks, and the truck looked much better. After driving for another week I took my final measurements and the front was still at 39 1/4" and the rear was at 39 3/4". Perfect! A half an inch of rake.


Tires: I had my tires installed today. I had them test fit a Nitto Terra Grappler 275-60-20. I knew it would fit, I just wanted to make sure it didn't look to small...which it did. So I went with Nitto Terra Grappler 275-65-20 (34.1" tall x 11"wide). The tire fit perfect and looks awesome! I took some measurements when I got home and the final stance of the truck is 40 1/4" in the front and 41" in the rear...and I think it looks awesome!


Tire Review: Even though I had the tires installed today and I've only put about 100 miles on them, I've already driven several different conditions, and this is my initial impression:

• The truck does not feel sluggish from a dead stop; however, braking has been affected by the taller and heavier tires as it now seems to take more time and energy to bring the truck to a stop (but it's not bad).
• The tires make almost no noise on the highway. There is some noise at 70 mph, but nothing really worth mentioning.
• The tires are absolutely FANTASTIC in the snow! I'm in Michigan and we're having the most snow in history. My subdivision is covered in snow and I did not have to engage the four wheel drive. The truck responded as if already in four wheel drive. I'm very impressed, especially since I had to use four wheel drive to get out of my subdivision with the Pirelli tires just this morning.
• I have the air pressure set to 42 pounds. These tires ride stiff!! I know I went from a P-rated tire to an LT, but I was not expecting the truck to ride this rough. I can feel every little crack in the road. I've owned a few F-250 and F-350 trucks with LT rated tires, and these ride a little stiffer than any tire I've ever owned. I plan on dropping a few pounds of air in each tire to see if I can find a sweet spot. I'll report back if I find what I feel is the perfect air pressure for these tires. UPDATE - I dropped the tires to 40 pounds and it was a little better. I took them down to 38 pounds and the trucks rides Great! - UPDATE
• I was afraid the 275 width was going to look narrow with the tire being 34" tall. I was wrong. They look great! The truck is a Platinum, so I wasn't going for the hardcore off-road look of a wider 295 or 305 tire.

I bought the tires at Discount Tire for $916 out the door including road hazard. That price includes the $140 they gave me for my tires as trade-in, which I thought was fair considering I had 38,126 miles on them. Without the trade-in it would have been $1,056 out the door. I thought this was a great price since they go for about $256 each online, plus shipping, plus mounting and balancing.


All-in-all, I couldn't be happier with the way the truck turned out. I'm actually happy now that I had to lift the rear and buy 275-65-20 tires. The truck looks awesome! I will post some pics in the next day or two once I get it cleaned up and have some daylight.


Sorry for rambling on, but these details and measurements are what I was looking for when trying to make some of my decisions, and I couldn't find a post that had a step-by-step set of measurements. If nothing else, I hope this helps someone else make decisions for their truck.


PICS HAVE BEEN ADDED ON PAGE 2.

xSTICKBOYx

Pics or it didn't happen

PawPaw

No pics please...you'll make me want to spend more money! Just kidding...

Silver2010FX4

It was you that got me excited about the 275-60-20 tire size on your Lariat. I would have gone that way if the front would have only come up 1.5". I'll try to get some pics tomorrow. Congrats on your new Platinum!

PawPaw

The 275x60's are great if someone only need's a P rated tire. The 275x65's being a little taller will look better. Can't wait to see the pic's. Enjoying the new Platinum so far...thank's!

bilinvic Retrofits

Thanxs for the great report. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

12GBMPlatinum

Did you remember to swap out your spare as well...?

Silver2010FX4

I didn't. I need to do that!

Supercrewedup

Please post pictures. I am in the market for a leveling kit. Need to decide between 2 inch lift or 2.5

DieselDawg

*Upgrading shocks will help the "stiff ride"...I did the Bilstein Lift with 2" block...the shocks made all the diff


*I have 18" wheels with the same tires (mine are 34.4" tall) and they do ride great with very little road noise


*Try lowering your tires pressures to 38-40psi...I run 40psi with the Bilsteins


* https://www.f150forum.com/f38/finish...s-pics-232766/