Smaller Wheels for Softer Ride

[Michael D Morris]

I have a 2019 Expedition Max Limited with 22" wheels. I'm considering installing smaller diameter wheels with higher sidewall tires to make the ride softer. Has anyone done this and was the difference noticeable? Would you do it again?

 

[GixxerJasen]

Yes it was noticeable and yes I'd do it again. 2019 Limited on 22's to 18's over some of my same bumpy roads made a big difference in ride quality.

Before:


After:

 

[Ccolvin029]

It does make a difference. Same thing went from 22" down to 18". The tires are more aggressive with heavier side walls but still soaks up smaller bumps better. It will loose some of the sporty feel just due to the side wall lean when cornering, but if you don't drive it like an Indy car you probably wont notice it. These are 285 75 R18 (skinny 35") that came off my 250 Tremor. Fuel Rebel rims, 3/2 level kit.

 

[BlackBetty]

I have a 2019 Expedition Max Limited with 22" wheels. I'm considering installing smaller diameter wheels with higher sidewall tires to make the ride softer. Has anyone done this and was the difference noticeable? Would you do it again?

What’s the plan for the 22’s when you take them off?

 

[gural]

i got 20 summer and 18 winter
i feel the diffrence - especially on low quality roads - car flowes

in summer car has better grip and is stiffer

 

[ROBERT BONNER]

Another benefit of smaller wheels that I have enjoyed is less sediment build up inside the rims. My old F150 with 20" rims used to fill with mud when off road that had to be powerwashed out before highway driving to avoid abusively unbalanced wheels. No such problem with my 2020 FX4 with factory 18's driving the same roads under the same conditions. No doubt I'm giving up some lateral G's on pavement; but, maybe I'll also be getting a few more miles between front wheel bearing changes....

 

[Laporterican]

More sidewall makes a huge difference. My wife had a 2018 Grand Cherokee with 20s rode like crap, I put on the biggest Wildpeaks I could fit, which helped. Wife now has a 2022 Timberline, the 18s and bigger tires ride SO MUCH BETTER! We live on a gravel road in the foothills of CO, if you spend any time off-pavement, I’d strongly suggest 18s. We’re planning on putting bigger tires on the Timberline, the Wranglers are absolute garbage in deep snow.

 

[Rtorres001]

I recently switched from 20" wheels to these 18" and new Michelin LTX A/T3. The ride difference is AMAZING! I would highly recommend it. My son did the same with his 2019 Ford F150, but he went with Cooper tires - same great result. I also changed out the factory lug nuts, which is something you will want to do also.

 

[bobnely]

What’s the plan for the 22’s when you take them off?

I have a set of 22’s available, just took them off last week. OEM tires with 28k miles on them.

 

[bobnely]

I just did the swap last week, took off the Special Edition 22’s and put on 18’s just for a softer ride and E Load rating.

Still need to do the 3/2 lift and change the sway bars.

 

[Tyra]

Besides getting a smoother ride with the smaller rims and higher side wall tires, does it make any difference if you plan on towing a travel trailer? Is one better than the other for that?

 

[SyndicateZ]

For those of you that went 22" to 18".........

Are you interested in selling any of the 22" rims/tires?

 

[GixxerJasen]

I've got mine up on facebook marketplace in Dallas waiting on folks to get their income tax checks. Had one guy was supposed to buy them this past weekend but decided to no show. Part of why I hate selling stuff.

 

[LG_123]

It makes a substantial difference in ride softness and the city fuel economy improves. Highway fuel economy will worsen and the car isn’t as planted as with the 22s. I use 18s for the winter and 22s for summer.

 

[Pawpaw]

My FX4 came with 18" wheels. Put some BFG KO2's on for towing. Drop the pressure down to 42 psi cold and they ride and handle great for daily use. Nice blend of sidewall to wheel size. Only lost 1 mpg vs the factory Michelin P rated tires.

 

[ratzlaff_30]

I have a 2019 Expedition Max Limited with 22" wheels. I'm considering installing smaller diameter wheels with higher sidewall tires to make the ride softer. Has anyone done this and was the difference noticeable? Would you do it again?

Did you sell them?

 

[Mr Big]

IMHO, it's a mistake to step down to 20s or even 18s, from 22s. First off it ruins the look of the vehicle. Secondly with the right tires the ride is smooth and the heavy vehicle handles turns and changing lanes better. The Expedition overall handling is better with 22s. All tires are not the same. My friend has a 2022 Expedition with Hancook 22s and it rides nothing like my 2019 with Michelin Defenders. The smoothness is great, and the handling is second to none for a large SUV. So before switching to a smaller wheel, try a new set of quality tires.

 

[5280tunage]

So what about meeting in the middle? I have to get some tires yet again, I am very disappointed with these Cooper tires I have. They have worn down so bad. I have the 22's and I was considering reducing the wheel size to give a few more tire options. Today's snow/slush has shown me these are dead, dead to me! What are some good 20" wheels (preferably even factory so I don't have to mess with shaving parts of the axle or screwing around with offsets) and tires that do well in many conditions? I don't off-road crazy so I don't need anything super aggressive, but I I do want good all around driving performance and at least a couple of years of good snow traction. I was considering going back to some ltx/Ms2's or something. I need good temperature range as well.

Appreciate some help, and yeah I've read other posts on here which is why I know about the shaving and not so safe offsets etc.

Also, would prefer not to buy new wheels, mine are otherwise fine so if anyone has good experience in the snow with good highway traction with a 22" tire, would love to know that too. I'm also not so sure about the look of 18's on this, just doesn't really match the lines of this to me.

 

[2020-MAX-Limited]

So what about meeting in the middle? I have to get some tires yet again, I am very disappointed with these Cooper tires I have. They have worn down so bad. I have the 22's and I was considering reducing the wheel size to give a few more tire options. Today's snow/slush has shown me these are dead, dead to me! What are some good 20" wheels (preferably even factory so I don't have to mess with shaving parts of the axle or screwing around with offsets) and tires that do well in many conditions? I don't off-road crazy so I don't need anything super aggressive, but I I do want good all around driving performance and at least a couple of years of good snow traction. I was considering going back to some ltx/Ms2's or something. I need good temperature range as well.

I live at 7,000 feet on the Palmer Divide and we got 14 inches yesterday! I have the factory 20's on mine and bought four new Kumho Crugen HT51 All-Season with 3-Peak Snowflake rating last summer. I never do off-road, but need good winter traction as our streets are in shade and keep ice until April/May most years. I have been satisfied with the highway ride and handling with the Kumho's. During an earlier snowstorm a few weeks ago, they gave good traction in 4A (don't have 4x4) but did notice the ABS activating on a couple of brake applications. Nothing scary, but was a little surprised. They're probably not the best winter tires, but I need an all-season because I don't want to swap twice a year.

 

[Polo08816]

I just did the swap last week, took off the Special Edition 22’s and put on 18’s just for a softer ride and E Load rating.

Still need to do the 3/2 lift and change the sway bars.

Did the increase in ~4 inches of sidewall compensate for the load range E rating?