Question on Tires and Lifts - '24 Expedition Max Limited w/SPP + HD Tow

[Shotgun76]

Looking at doing the 3/2 Ready Lift with the Rough Country rear as discussed in this post here: https://www.expeditionforum.com/thr...cd-suspension-and-34-tires.57151/#post-519867

A few points:
Vehicle ('24 Exped Max Limited SPP w/ HD Tow + CCD - bought new a few weeks ago), running on factory 22", is 90% pavement driven but 10% plus, give or take, driving two-track logging roads/gravel/rural in both the U.P. and South Dakota during Fall/Winter (hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, pulling a trailer, etc.)

Wondering what tire/wheel setup might be best for the "off-road" use; should I get a second set of wheels/tires just for those times and put on/take off as needed? Was looking in this post here (Let's See Those Lifted Big Tire Gen 4s): https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/lets-see-those-lifted-big-tire-gen-4s.47228/

and thinking maybe 17" or 18" wheels, even take-offs from say a F-150, maybe even a Raptor or Tremor? However, I don't want to have to trim the wheel liner or have any rubbing.

Could I then put the factory 22" rims/tires back on? Would think I'd have to go to a larger tire to take up some of the extra room in the wheel well from the lift?

Any suggestions, thoughts, experiences appreciated. I've not done any mods to a vehicle like this before ( will have local shop do lift install and wheel/tires).

Ride is currently at detailer getting PPF, tinting, and some other odds and ends.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BigOleFordFan]

A few things to consider:

A) For the 10%+ off-roading, I would recommend a dedicated set of tires & rims, preferably in the 17-18" size, so you can use taller sidewalls to absorb more of the shocks & bumps from rocks, gravel, and roots etc... this can be done with or without a lift, but a lift will give you even more ground clearance for those rough areas...

B) In other threads here, take offs from F-150's have been noted as working, although most will require the use of spacers or other adjustments that you may or may not want to do..like cutting the ends of the axle shafts to make the center caps fit...

C) And if you go with AT tires but drive on pavement with them, you will think you are still off-road, cause those tires are stiffer, heavier, louder, and ride rougher than non-AT tires, especially with taller sidewalls.... how much of this you can live with will be your decision...

D) As for trimming & rubbing, this is usually less of an issue with a lift, UNLESS you go with some really, really gigantic tires, but any "standard" reasonably-sized tires shouldn't be a problem....

E) Putting the factory 22's back on after a lift won't be a problem either, but cosmetically, it will look somewhat different than before the lift... so how important the looks are will be for you to decide...however, even with a lift & the 22"s, your choice of sidewall height (to take up some of the room in the wheel well) will still be somewhat limited, but again, it's a personal decision...

Finally, I suggest you look here: https://tiresize.com/calculator/ to get an idea of how changing tire sizes will affect the vehicle, it's speedometer accuracy, and potentially MPG...

 

[Shotgun76]

Thank you!! I'd prefer to avoid any cutting of the axle shafts so will look for a more precise fit for application. As noted, I'm not looking to go anything outrageous in tire size as far as the 17" or 18" wheels, just something to nicely fill the well post-lift but that does not require any trimming or rubbing. Same as far as then remounting the stock 22" rims, would look for something to fill the well a bit better than the stock 22 tires on it now. Let the research begin.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

I'd prefer to avoid any cutting of the axle shafts so will look for a more precise fit for application

Easy fix...buy wheels that are actually made to fit an Expy and are NOT take-offs from F-150's...

 

[aksarben]

Thank you!! I'd prefer to avoid any cutting of the axle shafts so will look for a more precise fit for application. As noted, I'm not looking to go anything outrageous in tire size as far as the 17" or 18" wheels, just something to nicely fill the well post-lift but that does not require any trimming or rubbing. Same as far as then remounting the stock 22" rims, would look for something to fill the well a bit better than the stock 22 tires on it now. Let the research begin.

I have just spent about 3 months working through the headache of finding 20" wheels that are EXPY specific. I learned the hard way and bought a set that I was assured would fit, they didn't. I detailed a lot of it here: https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/black-accent-package-20s-wheels.57492/#post-521946. and here: https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/to-go-with-18”-or-20”-wheels-on-23-limited-max.56577/page-2 and here: https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/black-accent-package-20s-wheels.57492/#post-521844

 

[Shotgun76]

If I go forward, will probably end up purchasing a second, dedicated set of 17" wheels and tires. Sounds like I might be ahead to NOT do the lift so I can swap sets back and forth and not have to worry too much about cosmetics. Just a thought.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

Easy fix...buy wheels that are actually made to fit an Expy and are NOT take-offs from F-150's...

the wheels aren't the problem, its the caps. someone shoul dmake some caps that fit f150 wheels but protrude far enough to clear the Expy rear axles.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

the wheels aren't the problem, its the caps. someone shoul dmake some caps that fit f150 wheels but protrude far enough to clear the Expy rear axles.

Sounds like a nice little project for someone who has a 3D printer, yes ?

 

[Shotgun76]

So maybe just easier to buy a set of OEM 18" Timberline wheels?

 

[Left Coast Geek]

So maybe just easier to buy a set of OEM 18" Timberline wheels?

if you can't find those on the secondary market, they will be insanely expensive direct from Ford.

 

[apex96]

Method Wheels in +24mm offset clear the rear axles with no problems. Have a set of 705s in 17” diameter on mine currently.

 

[ExpySPP]

I went to a 20”and I feel there is plenty of rubber and room

 

[rovertrader]

I did the RC 3/2 lift and 150 Raptor wheels. Center cap was an issue but I just used the original wheel center caps and all was/is well!!
Also, I went 285/75-17 E rated A/T and don’t notice a huge ride difference. The increased sidewall height seems to compensate for the increased sidewall stiffness.
No trimming, no rubbing- and I have the 18” orig wheels if you are looking for a set…

 

[Calidad]

2019 Platinum on 22’s. Originally I was thinking switching to 20’s.
We do heavy Sierra Snow, hot summer highway trips, boat ramps 9000lb boat and Scouts trips logging road stuff. I put 22’s BFG Trail Terrains on a 3peak tire 55,000 miles ago totally transformed the truck. Now on my second set of 22’s in that BFG tire freaking love it. Might be a 1mpg hit at 70+ highway speeds over the lousy max mileage OEM tires it came with. We do clean no roof gear trips 21-22mpg average is typical.

 

[aksarben]

Anyone looking for some stock 22' wheels from a Stealth package? I have a set available, same ones shown in my member picture.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[BigOleFordFan]

I did the RC 3/2 lift and 150 Raptor wheels. Center cap was an issue but I just used the original wheel center caps and all was/is well!!
Also, I went 285/75-17 E rated A/T and don’t notice a huge ride difference. The increased sidewall height seems to compensate for the increased sidewall stiffness.
No trimming, no rubbing- and I have the 18” orig wheels if you are looking for a set…

I'd really like to get those rims, but I know it would cost a small fortune to ship all the way up yonder (PA), so I'll just have to wait till spring, buy an aftermarket set (and new tires too), and have them shipped to my local tire shop for furreeeee