Ford Keys And Tires

mikystyle · March 25, 2007

Im getting the ford keys installed on my truck on friday and i want to upgrade to 33" tires. I only want the t-bars cranked just for 2". I dont want to go anymore than that because of stress and angles. Can i fit 33"s on my truck with 2" in the front? do i need blocks or add-a-leaf in the rear too? Could i do it with a certain backspacing in the rims? what kinda backspacing would i need, i dont know much about rim dimensions other than height and width. Thanks guys

Snowman_ · March 25, 2007

I got 2" with the chevy keys. Then I was able to fit 285/70/17's without any other mods, except aftermarket wheels (9" wide). Aren't they very close to 33"s ?

mikystyle · March 25, 2007

I got 2" with the chevy keys. Then I was able to fit 285/70/17's without any other mods, except aftermarket wheels (9" wide). Aren't they very close to 33"s ?

Yeah, thats about the equivelent to a 32.7 inch tire. Any rubbing issues? Yours an HD?

cambo · March 25, 2007

I am not sure how much my torsion bars are cranked at, but I am now running 305/70/R16 Baja Claw Radials, with 16x10 Ion wheels. This past Friday I told my shop to install 4" suspension lift Rancho RS5000 shocks and tighten my keys as much as needed to clear the tires. Well they didn't scrub near as bad as they did, but today I had to trim alot of the inner plastic/rubber wheel lining. Anything over a 305/70 tire is too much for the truck.

mikystyle · March 25, 2007

I am not sure how much my torsion bars are cranked at, but I am now running 305/70/R16 Baja Claw Radials, with 16x10 Ion wheels. This past Friday I told my shop to install 4" suspension lift Rancho RS5000 shocks and tighten my keys as much as needed to clear the tires. Well they didn't scrub near as bad as they did, but today I had to trim alot of the inner plastic/rubber wheel lining. Anything over a 305/70 tire is too much for the truck.

So, without the 4" rancho lift, with just ur torsion bars cranked, they rubbed? Those are about the equivelent to a 32.8" tire.

cambo · March 25, 2007

The specs I got from Mickey Thompson says they have them right at 33"x12.5". Do remember the 10" wide wheel does make a difference. Actually I will go out right now and take a picture for you, because its half time in the Florida Gator game. Go Gators.

EDIT:

This is at full lock, and I never turn to full lock because it is bad for the power steering.

As you can barely see here, the cleats are hitting even where I have trimmed. Sun was bright so its not very clear.

Again on the drivers side, you can see where I trimmed and even the silver metallic marker that I used to show the rub marks.

mikystyle · March 25, 2007

Thanks, that really helps actually. I think i may go for some 33"s but not on a 10" wide rim. Maybe a little thinner, like 9". Im also going to talk to the tire place about backspacing because i think that may take it away from the fenders a little too. Thanks for the pics. Those mickeys are pretty aggresive too.

cambo · March 25, 2007

Yea, I am willing to help any GM guy. Actually, my personal preference is to never go less than 10" wide. But thats because I love the wide aggressive stance, but I have to sacrifice some cutting and manuverability. Yea, those Claws do have some aggressive tread. I bought them because I love the roar and the look, I know that if I ever get in the mud and need to reverse that I am pretty much screwed.

mikystyle · March 25, 2007

Yea, I am willing to help any GM guy. Actually, my personal preference is to never go less than 10" wide. But thats because I love the wide aggressive stance, but I have to sacrifice some cutting and manuverability. Yea, those Claws do have some aggressive tread. I bought them because I love the roar and the look, I know that if I ever get in the mud and need to reverse that I am pretty much screwed.

Could you post a full picture of your truck. Just so i can get an idea of what it looks like with the tire and the torsion bar crank. Thanks

diehrd · March 26, 2007

His issues are because of the rim width, stay with an 8 inch rim you will be fine.

Snowman_ · March 26, 2007

I got 2" with the chevy keys. Then I was able to fit 285/70/17's without any other mods, except aftermarket wheels (9" wide). Aren't they very close to 33"s ?

Yeah, thats about the equivelent to a 32.7 inch tire. Any rubbing issues? Yours an HD?

No, it's a little 1/2 ton. Thay rubbed a little before I cranked the bars.

cambo · March 26, 2007

Yea, I am willing to help any GM guy. Actually, my personal preference is to never go less than 10" wide. But thats because I love the wide aggressive stance, but I have to sacrifice some cutting and manuverability. Yea, those Claws do have some aggressive tread. I bought them because I love the roar and the look, I know that if I ever get in the mud and need to reverse that I am pretty much screwed.

Could you post a full picture of your truck. Just so i can get an idea of what it looks like with the tire and the torsion bar crank. Thanks

I was driving around my truck in my golf cart waiting for my tee time and to tell my buddies to get out my truck and come on. Its sitting wierd because the parking lot is sloped and its before I got my new shocks and tightened my keys even more.

silveradoHO · March 26, 2007

I am not sure how much my torsion bars are cranked at, but I am now running 305/70/R16 Baja Claw Radials, with 16x10 Ion wheels. This past Friday I told my shop to install 4" suspension lift Rancho RS5000 shocks and tighten my keys as much as needed to clear the tires. Well they didn't scrub near as bad as they did, but today I had to trim alot of the inner plastic/rubber wheel lining. Anything over a 305/70 tire is too much for the truck.

So, without the 4" rancho lift, with just ur torsion bars cranked, they rubbed? Those are about the equivelent to a 32.8" tire.

His problem is the width, not the height. I have 285/70/R17 on mine and have no issues. When I first lifted mine, I went 3". I check it the other day and it has settled down to about 2.5" (which I'm told is usual). I know this is a little more than you plan on going but my tires don't come close to rubbing. I could easily drop it an inch or so and still be fine. It seems to me though that every truck is a little different, some say they put 33's on with no lift and didn't have any problems, others have to raise them a little or do some trimming so they don't rub.

mikystyle · March 26, 2007

Those trucks look good guys. Makin me glad im getting this done. Cambo, if its not to much of a hassle could u take a picture of your cv angles? I'll probably crank mine about 2.5" and let it settle from there. Im going to go to tirewarhouse and see if they have a 33" tire on a 9" rim there and see if they can just put it on for me to check. I think from what ive heard, on the 9" rim i should be alright. Will a 33"x12.5" tire fit on a 9" wide rim?

ps: snowman, is that an HD hood on a non HD truck? Any mods to get it to fit. Looks good.