Wider wheels or wheel spacers?
06-10-2012, 02:20 PM
#1
Wider wheels or wheel spacers?
I have installed daystar 2" front level kit as well as Bushwacker pocket fender flares 2" on my 2012 f150 xlt and the tires look really funny. Tires are stock 275/65/R18s and needs to be changed asap. I have considered buying 2" wheel spacers to stick the tires out to make them look wider, but not sure if it will do what I want or if its a waste of money. What do you think i should do to be able to bring the wheel to a level with the flare?
06-10-2012, 02:24 PM
#2
Senior Member
Ive kinda wondered the same thing. I want fender flares, but with stock wheels theyd look funny. A wheel spacer would make it look better I think. My friend runs wheel spacers on his '10 dodge ram and hasnt had any issues.
06-10-2012, 02:32 PM
#3
I have recieved some advice at the work shop to consider 305/70 R17,however im not sure it will level as i want it to be especially with the stock rims. Thoughts and pics please if any.
06-10-2012, 02:47 PM
#4
Spacers are cheaper but... at least with my former Jeep the issue became the added stress on the axle and bearings. When you push the OEM wheels wider with a spacer you move the total wheel weight to a longer moment adding stress. Then when you go with a taller and/or wider tire you pile on more total weight increasing that stress. Not to bash Jeeps but they are engineered to minimal tolerances with OEM equipment, and doing spacers, tires or both pretty much meant you had to beef up the axle with gussets, stronger/better gears in the differentials, bigger brakes to handle the rolling resistance/momentum, stronger tie rod, etc.
Spending the $$ on aftermarket wheels with adjusted back-space ended up being smarter and cheaper in the long run, at least on a Jeep. My guess (but not expert knowledge) is that Ford may have less trouble sticking a spacer in there, but there's still got to be limits at some point. Not to mention, a spacer adds two new points for imperfection to rear its ugly head - the fit onto the wheel flange and onto the wheel itself. If either or both aren't perfect or you mess up either connection, you're introducing wheel wobble, wheel hop, tire wear, suspension and steering wear. Worst-case-scenario? Yup, but something to think about.
Spending the $$ on aftermarket wheels with adjusted back-space ended up being smarter and cheaper in the long run, at least on a Jeep. My guess (but not expert knowledge) is that Ford may have less trouble sticking a spacer in there, but there's still got to be limits at some point. Not to mention, a spacer adds two new points for imperfection to rear its ugly head - the fit onto the wheel flange and onto the wheel itself. If either or both aren't perfect or you mess up either connection, you're introducing wheel wobble, wheel hop, tire wear, suspension and steering wear. Worst-case-scenario? Yup, but something to think about.
The following users liked this post:
BWilliams (10-03-2012)
Trending Topics
06-10-2012, 03:49 PM
#10
Senior Member
Tbh i have no idea lol. I'm planning on either leveling or putting a 4 inch lift on my truck soon. I'm also trying to figure out what size tires to put on my truck. Im planning on using my stock 18 in rims. I just posted a pic of my truck in the "random pics of your truck" thread.
