24” Wheels Limited By Rear Spindle

[Sean Jolley]

I have a 2019 Ex Limited 4x4 and just put Dub 8-Ball 24” wheels on it. The ride is much smoother than our Yukon on 24’s. The issue we are having is the rear spindle sticks out and the stock center cap won’t fit. They make a domed cap that is not great looking.

Discount Tire is telling me the only wheels that will not have this issue have the big caps that cover the lug nuts. Is this an issue specific to the 4x4? I’ve seen plenty of Expeditions with flat center capped wheels. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[scottdm]

Most guys trim the end of the spindle off (cutoff wheel or reciprocating saw) to fit their desired aftermarket wheels. It seems only the OEM Ford wheels for the Expy accommodate the long rear spindles. There doesn't seem to be any downside to trimming the axle shaft other than the hassle of actually doing it.

 

[sjwhiteley]

But that does beg the question: why are the spindles so long?

 

[Uturn]

Since I have not had the rear wheels off of ours yet, I can only assume that the spindles are that long because the hub assemblies are deep enough that the spindles need to be long to be able to get a nut on them to draw them into the hub assembly. Hopefully aftermarket wheel manufacturers be begin offering deeper trim caps if they do not already.

 

[Sean Jolley]

Most guys trim the end of the spindle off (cutoff wheel or reciprocating saw) to fit their desired aftermarket wheels. It seems only the OEM Ford wheels for the Expy accommodate the long rear spindles. There doesn't seem to be any downside to trimming the axle shaft other than the hassle of actually doing it.

does it void the warranty?

 

[Uturn]

It would probably void the warranty on the rear half-shafts and rear bearing assemblies, but not on the rest of the vehicle.

 

[Black]

If you do it cleanly they won’t even notice.