Raptor Wheels

[rjdelp7]

I'd cut the axle and taper the end of the thread. That little bit you cut off isn't going to hurt anything.

Hacks.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Hacks.

What ever works. 1/2" off the end isn't going to hurt anything. You could always pull the axle put it in a lathe and turn the end down and make it look finished.

It's his truck he can do what he wants and its better than using a spacer.

 

[bloodhound]

Hacks.

You cut your axles? Oh man! I am pretty sure those holes were for a puller tool to remove hub. A cheap set of wheel spacers, would of worked.

Yeah definitely better to throw on some "cheap wheel spacers" and watch your wheel pass you on the freeway when it breaks than to trim a 1/2in of unnecessary threads from the axle. Solid advice.

 

[rjdelp7]

Yeah definitely better to throw on some "cheap wheel spacers" and watch your wheel pass you on the freeway when it breaks than to trim a 1/2in of unnecessary threads from the axle. Solid advice.

How would a spacer cause a wheel to pass you on the freeway, when it breaks? How does a wheel spacer break? They sit behind wheel and lug nuts hold wheel on. Why do you think 1/2" he cut was unnecessary? The guy even butchered the threads. His post, even mentions, he did it because it was cheaper? The larger tires will change spedo reading. He probably disabled his TPMS tire sensors also. I would of done neither. The wheels are ugly and do nothing for his Expedition.

 

[sjwelds]

The wheels look great. The axle trim is awesome. Go back to hating on Ecoboost, you're better at that.

 

[rjdelp7]

The wheels look great. The axle trim is awesome. Go back to hating on Ecoboost, you're better at that.

Coming from a guy that drives a gutless, spark plug spitter 5.4, that is funny.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Finally, here's the wheel with the cap in place....
View media item 6453

...and here's a shot on the truck with some new tires. 285/70/17 (33x11.50), no lift, original springs. The truck's a 2007 EL (sitting on a fairly steeply inclined driveway).
View media item 6456

I liked doing it this way much more than the idea of adding a spacer to the wheel, and it's definitely cheaper. Hopefully this will help others who might be contemplating something similar.

Looks great!! I like how the wheels match the color of the body! Very cool!

 

[Druid]

Wow. A lot of unexpected tension over a small piece of metal and a set of wheels. Without wanting to stir the pot any more, I'll say just a few things.

1. It's aesthetics. I think the Raptor rims look great, and thank those of you who feel the same. FRD88, I think you'll enjoy yours. For those that don't like the look, that OK. To each their own.

1a. Aesthetics cont'd. Many like the 20"+ wheel thing, including, apparently, a lot of Raptor owners. 20" wheels are not my groove, and that's fine. They get what they want, and I get what I want. Fortunately for me, what I want doesn't end up costing much. More cash for other mods/maintenance to the truck, more cash for gas to go fishing/camping with my son. Win/win.

2. Spacers. I don't believe the reliability of wheel spacers is a concern. They are simple, lots of folks use them without problem, and as long as they are reliably manufactured and not too wide, breakage really shouldn't be an issue. Handling and wear, on the other hand, can be. The Raptor wheels are a 34mm offset, 10mm less than stock. A spacer will reduce that another 6mm, and that does affect handling and wear on bearings and such. It'll also push the rear wheels out even more, and change the factory relationship front-rear. Probably not a big deal given the small spacer needed, and it's the way others have gone. Again, to each their own.

3. Screwing up the axles. I take some exception to this. The piece removed is actually outboard of the threads, where the axle starts to taper slightly. Even were the cut on the thread, that would not screw them up, any more than you screw up a piece of threaded steel rod by cutting that to the length you need or trimming a bolt. If concerned, one can clean the thread with the existing nut or another nut with the same pitch, and use a file to chamfer the edge of the axle slightly to make seating the nut easier. Neither of those things is necessary, though.

4. Amount removed. Not a 1/2". Don't know where that number came from. It's actually just 1/5" (5mm), and could be slightly less. If you're counting, that's about the thickness of three pennies.


5. TPMS sensor removed. Another baseless statement. TPMS sensors got swapped over to the new wheels with the new tires. Didn't even charge me. I did find out that the factory spare tire didn't have a sensor, though, so I'll be buying an extra one when I go in for a rotation. I picked up 5 Raptor rims specifically so I could maintain a full-size, identical spare and do a 5-tire rotation.

Drew

 

[Druid]

Oh yeah, forgot about the tire/speedometer. 285/70R17 Cooper AT3s are ~2% larger than my previous tires (255/70R18 Michelins). So yes, the speedometer will change. In fact I'll be going 66.3mph when the gauge says 65. Worse, I'll be doing 20.4mph in a 20mph school zone.

I haven't decided if it's enough to make me want to adjust the computer.

 

[reidar]

Looks good Druid!

I went with 18" FX4 wheels on my 2016 Expedition EL instead of the 20's it came with. I had a slight issue with them also in regards to the caps on just the rear tires. But all I did was break the tiny plastic clips on the caps and they worked perfect.
My 2004 NBX had a transmission failure at 212k miles. But the Cooper Discoverer AT/3 had barely 10k miles on them, so I did a local (classifieds) search and found someone who had just upgraded his F150 FX4 to different wheels and were unloading these. So I got to keep my Coopers... and I like the way it looks with the 18's.

 

[JExpedition07]

Coming from a guy that drives a gutless, spark plug spitter 5.4, that is funny.

My 5.4 definitely is not gutless when I stomp on it and it screams to redline. Any engine that can get 6,000 pounds-up to 60 sub 8 seconds can’t even be called gutless lol. We will let you know when we spit out plugs..... pretty sure that doesn’t happen on 3 valves. I do like the FX4 wheels as well they look great.

 

[rjdelp7]

My 5.4 definitely is not gutless when I stomp on it roaring at 5,250 rpm . Any engine that can get 6,000 pound sup to 60 sub 8 seconds can’t even be called gutless lol. We will let you know when we spit out plugs..... pretty sure that doesn’t happen on 3 valves.

Why did Ford phase them out? Fuel mileage(lack of) and and 6cyl hp out of a V8. Ford could of used them in the Mustang GT, P71 cop cars and Lincoln Town Cars, but did not.

 

[JExpedition07]

Why did Ford phase them out? Fuel mileage(lack of) and and 6cyl hp out of a V8.

Because it was a 17 year run and it was time to innovate and invest in a new motor..... why did GM stop the 350? Oh wait.... No V6 from the 95-2010 era put out that kind of power what are you talking about?? New motors meet different criteria and wants and new tech must forge on to meet those demands.... why invest in a long run motor again? You don’t you make a new fresh one with new tech. New motors have twin independent variable cam timing, direct injection, etc etc, phasing something out doesn’t make it bad it means your changing and updating your lineup, you can’t do the same thing forever. The day will come where the ecoboost is closed out as well does that make it bad?! NO. I’m not even having this conversation this is a thread about wheels I just can’t believe you pick on every conceivable powertrain that’s not a 4.6 V8. Nice FX4 and raptor wheels guys.

 

[Druid]

Hey Reidar,

Thanks. 18's look good, too. For me, 17/18 is the sweet spot for a 32-33 inch tire, but I like the look of a taller sidewall profile on trucks. And the feel of a taller sidewall off road or on bad roads!

I notice you're in Utah. How do you like the AT3's in the snow and slush around SLC?

Cheers,

Drew

 

[reidar]

Hey Reidar,

Thanks. 18's look good, too. For me, 17/18 is the sweet spot for a 32-33 inch tire, but I like the look of a taller sidewall profile on trucks. And the feel of a taller sidewall off road or on bad roads!

I notice you're in Utah. How do you like the AT3's in the snow and slush around SLC?

Cheers,

Drew

These have been the best tires I have ever owned. I bought them with the 8-ply because a travel trailer we tow. They handle very well. They do very well at what ever I have thrown at them. Exceptional in rain/sleet/slush/snow. They even do decent in ice and mud. I am very happy with them.
My uncle is on his second set on his super duty and still on his first on his Ranger. He's the one that sold me on them.
I'm happy.