Need Advice: '21 F150 XLT mods (and woes)

[dylan.h.brown]

Hey there... New to the domestic world (minus my last rig, a '19 Tundra TRD Pro, if that counts)...

Anyway, was very excited by the new F150 Tremor, but ultimately couldn't wait, so when a Space White XLT F150 rolled off the truck while I was at the dealership, I hopped on board. Fast forward, I finally got the dealership installed Fox 2.5 Race series coil over and shock kit w/ 285/75r18s Nitto Ridge Grapplers on and it looks sick, BUT I've always built my trucks to be practical. I told the dealership parts guys that if that tire size would rub w/ the lift, I would go rather go w/ the 285/70r18. Well, it rubs, not bad, but it rubs.

I'm annoyed: 1. because it rubs and 2. because it seems like they had to max out the preload to even get that tire in there. Normally I wouldn't go through a dealership for aftermarket stuff, but in this case, it all falls under warranty. But now I'm in a pickle: Do I cut the wheel well or go back to the dealership and make them swap in the smaller tire (If I can even get a smaller tire w/ the market and all)? Also, they didn't ad the ad-a-leaf I asked them too – need that rake for all my camping/emoto *******.

What would you guys do? I live in western Colorado and drive high alpine passes and braaap down Utah roads.

Also, any advice on tuning the Fox 2.5 Race Series (looks like I can adjust preload, and there's air port? on the reservoir).

Thanks everyone! Here's a couple of pics.

 

[rfoubi]

Truck looks sick! my vote would be keep the size and cut the wheelwell (is it the plastic or does it rub on the front crash bars?)

 

[Chorky]

personally i would swap out the tires. being a brand new truck, cutting sounds icky. i suppose a good question would be do you really NEED 35's? Or can you do just fine with 33's

Looks good. How do you like the truck otherwise?

 

[Grassland]

The factory wheel offset is even more positive than the prior generations by something like 6MM.
What's the offset of the new wheels?
I'd go to the 285/70R18 as that's still larger than 33".
For example it's bigger than a 285/70R17 which many people would call a 33, but isn't.
A 275/70R18 would be a 33.
How much is it rubbing and on what? Is it something that a tire 1" smaller in diameter will clear it?

 

[dylan.h.brown]

Just had a deeper look – thankfully I got into some mud. It seems I'm hitting the frame (crash bars?) See attached... I'm going to make them swap the tires. It rubbed coming into my driveway just now... I'd say I'm running when flexing about 1/4" - 1/2"... So yeah, I could go 285/70r18 and probably be fine. Not sure yet, but thinking of going 275/70r18 just to be safe.

I really like the truck overall. Very fast, very quiet, comfortable... decent sound system. The off-road chops so far are very commendable. Not the best articulation, but the traction control system, plus descent control, more than make up for it. The only thing I don't like is the transmission, but I knew that would take some getting used to (as well as it to me -- AI learning apparently).

As soon I figure out the wheels and proper rake I know I'll be stoked!

 

[dylan.h.brown]

The factory wheel offset is even more positive than the prior generations by something like 6MM.
What's the offset of the new wheels?
I'd go to the 285/70R18 as that's still larger than 33".
For example it's bigger than a 285/70R17 which many people would call a 33, but isn't.
A 275/70R18 would be a 33.
How much is it rubbing and on what? Is it something that a tire 1" smaller in diameter will clear it?

Just realized I didn't answer your offset q. It's -12. They're the Fuel Shok, 18".

 

[jadmt]

285/75-18 are taller than most 35’s. Unless you are going rock crawling i would drop down in size. Your shifting will probably be better too. My buddy put a set of raptor take off wheels and tires on his 150 and looks good and no rub

 

[Grassland]

Stock wheels are +50 or something nuts now IIRC.
Is the rubbing because the wheels are out further from the axles?
Edit: online is still showing +44 as OEM offset for the 2021s but I feel like McCarthy ended up with fitment issues using same rims and tires from his 19 and them rubbing on his 21

2021 F150 wheel fitment PSA: - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

2021+ Ford F150 - 2021 F150 wheel fitment PSA: - PSA: For 2021+ F150 owners regarding wheel and tire fitment: On previous gen trucks, (my last truck was a 19) an 18x9 +1 or 0 offset wheel fit the sport package/Lariat trucks perfectly. With a 2.25 level, they would just tuck a 275 series tire...

www.f150forum.com

 

[dylan.h.brown]

285/75-17 are taller than most 35’s. Unless you are going rock crawling i would drop down in size. Your shifting will probably be better too. My buddy put a set of raptor take off wheels and tires on his 150 and looks good and no rub

Do you know what size the stock Raptor tires are? I think they run 17" rims, but curious about tires.

 

[jbaucom]

Do you know what size the stock Raptor tires are? I think they run 17" rims, but curious about tires.

LT315/70R17. The specific tire is a load range C BFGoodrich KO2.

 

[jadmt]

Do you know what size the stock Raptor tires are? I think they run 17" rims, but curious about tires.

ditto the above post 315/70-17.

 

[Boatbuilder79]

Just had a deeper look – thankfully I got into some mud. It seems I'm hitting the frame (crash bars?) See attached... I'm going to make them swap the tires. It rubbed coming into my driveway just now... I'd say I'm running when flexing about 1/4" - 1/2"... So yeah, I could go 285/70r18 and probably be fine. Not sure yet, but thinking of going 275/70r18 just to be safe.

I really like the truck overall. Very fast, very quiet, comfortable... decent sound system. The off-road chops so far are very commendable. Not the best articulation, but the traction control system, plus descent control, more than make up for it. The only thing I don't like is the transmission, but I knew that would take some getting used to (as well as it to me -- AI learning apparently).

As soon I figure out the wheels and proper rake I know I'll be stoked!

i had the same problem tires rubbing on the crash bar. But turned it into an opportunity to buy more tools.

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[Boatbuilder79]

If taking a hydraulic ram to your new truck causes indigestion, I also saw where somebody swapped their front crash bars to get more clerance.

 

[dylan.h.brown]

If taking a hydraulic ram to your new truck causes indigestion, I also saw where somebody swapped their front crash bars to get more clerance.

Yeah, I'm not really looking to start bending and welding quite yet. It doesn't even have 3k miles on it yet.

 

[dylan.h.brown]

Okay, I've made my decision: I'm downsizing to a 275/70r18 in the Toyo Open Country AT III, which I've had in the past and loved. I looked for a 285/70r18, but couldn't find anything in stock, and my only options were MTs. I also considered going w/ a 17" wheel and going with an Raptor equivalent size – but ultimately, it came down to brain cells, and what I already own and is here. The wheels are I have are dope and the local dealership has the Toyos in stock. This particular model comes to 33.4", which is plenty big for what I do, and they weight 52 lbs, which means solid mpg. Got the rig in the lineup for this weekend too! Pics coming next week.

Now, just have to protect that undercarriage – RCI anyone?