Outerbanks with 34.2 tires no lift

[goatman]

My comment is for discussion only. Wonder why sticking with 18" rims? For off road, and for good looks on a 4x4 car, a smaller diameter rim does better. The wider sidewall allows for safer low pressure off road, less likely to pinch a sidewall, and gets a bigger footprint for floatation and traction. Also, the bigger sidewall makes the tire look bigger, more substantial, for good looks on a 4x4. Example, I keep looking at my 33's on the XJ and wondering why they look so big, then remember they are on 15" rims. Just thoughts.

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[bbarnshaw]

My comment is for discussion only. Wonder why sticking with 18" rims? For off road, and for good looks on a 4x4 car, a smaller diameter rim does better. The wider sidewall allows for safer low pressure off road, less likely to pinch a sidewall, and gets a bigger footprint for floatation and traction. Also, the bigger sidewall makes the tire look bigger, more substantial, for good looks on a 4x4. Example, I keep looking at my 33's on the XJ and wondering why they look so big, then remember they are on 15" rims. Just thoughts.

Good points. I posted this is a different thread but I was originally keeping the stock rims and was going to powder coat them and just put bigger tires on them to save money. I purchased the tires and had them shipped when my installed indicated the cost to powder coat the existing rims wouldn't be mush less than buying all new rims. Since I already had the R18 tires and didn't want to go through the hassle of shipping them back and waiting for the R17 tires I simply ordered new R18 rims. I don't plan on doing much off roading so the R17 vs R18 wasn't a big issue to me. I was also on a time crunch with my installer. If I knew up front I was going to be buying new rims, I would have gone with the 17 inch size and then the 315/70/R17 tires. As it stands, I'm very happy with the look of what I did and how it turned out.

 

[mpeugeot]

I like the OP went with a set of rims (don't like the stock OBX rims at all) and a set of tires for off-roading. I have 295/70/R17 (33.5"x12.5") tires on a set of RTR Tech 6 17x9's +30. So it will look pretty similar and I had also planned on removing the crash bars. I seriously doubt that they will rub as there is plenty of room with the stock suspension with regard to travel. I don't even think it will even be close when you consider that the Badlands runs a 33" tire with only 2/3" of lift, however, I can do 2/3" lift without even removing the struts, just by shimming the bottom of the suspension assembly.

 

[OBXA51]

A few reasons. The first was I didn't want to run into any warranty issues. In speaking with my dealer, they said Ford would try to deny any claims should they be able to tie an issue back to the lift (not a huge concern). Second, my installer (my neighbor) thought it would look better without a lift so long as the tires fit. We tried it without the lift and it worked when we removed the crash bars. Third, I was looking to save a little money. I actually really like the look without the lift and I was able to send the lift kit back plus save on installation.. Probably about $1,000-1,250 in total between parts and installation in terms of savings. Since I've had it done, I've had many people comment on how good it looks without the lift with the tires filling the wheel wells. Everyone has different preferences but this was my reason for going with no lift. I don't plan on doing any hard core off roading so not having the lift doesn't impact me. If I did, I would definitely do the lift. Hope that helps!!

Clearly I need to understand lift kits better, as I would have never thought it would cost that mush when the truck is already getting a tire change

Anyway, thanks for the reply. I've started pricing new rubber, so we'll see what I decide

 

[Ddeaner]

Just picked up my OBX last week and have been trying to figure out the best size wheels. This looks nice. Not as stuffed as 35’s on stock. Tire and rims provide the perfect amount of poke I am looking for. Thanks for sharing

 

[Ddeaner]

I think you should level the front though.

 

[MnLakeBum]

Just picked up my OBX last week and have been trying to figure out the best size wheels. This looks nice. Not as stuffed as 35’s on stock. Tire and rims provide the perfect amount of poke I am looking for. Thanks for sharing

Here’s my non Sasquatch with 315/70/17 on Sasquatch take offs. As you probably know, that size is not really 35”, mine measure 34.36”. I will put a 1.25” level on the fronts. IMO, it looks way better with the larger tires.

Before and after:

 

[alexg823]

Here’s my non Sasquatch with 315/70/17 on Sasquatch take offs. As you probably know, that size is not really 35”, mine measure 34.36”. I will put a 1.25” level on the fronts. IMO, it looks way better with the larger tires.

Before and after:

Agreed, and your OBX looks fantastic. My OBX is coming in the next couple of weeks, have 35s and a 2" front 1" rear level/lift with +30 RTR Tech 6 wheels ready to go.

The biggest problem with the stock OBX with the stock wheel offset and tires is that it makes it look like a convertible explorer, not really an aggressive off-road truck.

The bigger tires & lower offset wheels dramatically change that.

 

[MnLakeBum]

Agreed, and your OBX looks fantastic. My OBX is coming in the next couple of weeks, have 35s and a 2" front 1" rear level/lift with +30 RTR Tech 6 wheels ready to go.

The biggest problem with the stock OBX with the stock wheel offset and tires is that it makes it look like a convertible explorer, not really an aggressive off-road truck.

The bigger tires & lower offset wheels dramatically change that.

Agreed. As you know, the Sasquatch wheels are +30 offset just like the ones you have.. They have the perfect amount of poke for me.

 

[Ddeaner]

Nice! Was thinking about putting SAS wheels and rims on. Wanted the color match fenders so didn’t go with the SAS package. Looks good. Perfect amount of poke. Definitely gives it a strong stance.

 

[mpeugeot]

It looks good. But those are definitely going to rub if you go off-road.

I don't know about that, but I have had 33.5" tires (295/70R17) on the stock OBX suspension and didn't even remove the crash bars and had tons of room left with +30 offset rims. I can easily see 34.2 happening as long as you remove the crash bars and have a +20 offset.

I didn't want my Bronco to look like a Tonka toy. I think that something near 34" looks perfect when compared to the stock OBX rims and tires.

I get about 10-15% better gas mileage with the stock OBX rims and tires.

 

[mpeugeot]

I like it but leaving my CO OBX stock.

It performs better at the mall that way.

 

[mpeugeot]

Any reason you didn't lift it? I'm considering upgrading my OBX tire & wheel package, and just assumed with the truck already being in a shop, adding a kit wouldn't add much extra $$$

I am not the OP, but I did something similar - 33.5" tires with no lift.

I didn't lift it because it didn't need it, plus I was putting in the stock Badlands suspension (which is really a lift of 2/3rds of an inch).

 

[Brockdog12]

Nice! Couldn’t help but notice looks like you have crooked mounted front bumper like many of us, maybe?

 

[Mauka]

Finally got around to installing the rims and tires I purchased two weeks ago. Decided to go with no lift even though I had the 4WP two inch lift in my possession. Had to remove both sets of crash bars in the front to make it work but tested it off road with no rubbing or issues. Let me know your thoughts. PS- didn’t have to use the rear brake light extension. Stock worked on tires of this size. Note: I have the metal front bumber and my installer had to grind down the front crash bar to get it out. It wouldn’t pull straight out without hitting the bumper or removing the bumper. Went with Fuel 18” rims and 295/70/R18 tires from Bridgestone. Total cost around $3,500.

It looks great!!!

I was going to do samething with my outer banks. I was debating about leveling kit needs or not. You just solved my problem. Thank you

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