[SCguy130]

I have a stock F-250, unfortunately it's a 5.7 V8, not the Power Stroke; and I was looking into lifting it. I'm a student full time so cash is kinda tight and I was looking at two possible options.

When I purchased the truck the dealer said that it could fit 20" wheels as it was, it was used so I think it's all stock, the dealer didn't have that information.

I'm currently stuck between the decision of lifting it 3" and putting 35's on it or just adding the twenties as is. It is the work truck variant so I need wheels that will work with the locking hubs, which has made it hard to find some.

And then what width would you suggest and tire size? I'm not a big mudder so all terrains are fine and I don't need a lot of clearance, just enough so I don't hit a stump and damage the undercarriage.

 

[HVAC SuperTech]

Go with a leveling kit. Custom diesel( site sponsor) has leveling kits for 99 bux. Do that and you can run 315/75/16s no problem. You may have to trim the bottom panel of the bumper some on the plastic, but unless you go fully lock to lock, it won't rub on the springs or anything.

 

[HVAC SuperTech]

And as far as what the dealer said, you could fit probably 24s under there, but its the tire size that matters......

 

[dheyink]

Noticed on some kits they offer a new Track Bar bracket, while others don't. Why some and not all and what are the potential issues

 

[Karls03]

I had an add-a-leaf up front (1.5"~2") and I didn't have any issues with the track bar where it was. So whether or not a leveling kit has a track bar adjustment most likely depends on how tall it is. Also, on 2005 and up, a track bar adjustment could be needed to properly position the axle under the truck again.

35s on a 3" leveling kit will work if and ONLY if you use a 8" wide wheel or narrower. I have 10s on my 35s and with 5" of lift I can make contact with the body. IMO, keep the wheel as close to the tread width as possible for best wear. Therfore, I roll a 10" wheel on my 315s.

As previously mentioned, it's the tire outside diameter that matters, NOT the wheel. How tall is a 33 on a 20 inch wheel? How tall is it on a 16 inch wheel? Yeah, it's still a 33.

If this is an '05 and up, a simple coil spacer alone up front will cause more problems than it will solve. The spacer shoves the axle straight down, as it does, the axle rotates forward creating negative caster, no bueno, batman.

The hard fact is, this isn't a cheap bastards game, do it right, or don't do it at all. Speaking of which, I took it in the shorts for 2 mpg when I went from 33s to 35s. If your budget is that tight, time at the gas pump should be considered.

Oh yeah! It's the center cap that gets in the way of the manual hubs, not the wheel. Although there are center caps with holes for the hubs, I don't have center caps on my truck.