33x12.5's rubbing on upper control arm... what are my options

[people-call-me-chris]

hey folks - Looking for your advice/suggestions. I just had 305/55/R20 falken wilpeak AT4's installed on my stock 20" black F-150 wheels. They're the stock F-150 wheels on the Lariats you see everywhere; discount tire said the offset is +44. I have the bilstein 6100's set at 2" rise (so 0.5" down from level).

I noticed the UCA's are barely rubbing on the elevated grip patterns on the side of the tire, after having them about a week. They rub just barely but I'm not wild about that; makes me kind of nervous. I asked Discount Tire and they said it's probably okay... but if I wanted to create more space I could get a wheel with a lesser offset. Or, get spacers.

I'm trying to decide if I should

1. do nothing?
2. Try to return the tires and get slightly smaller size (not sure if this is possible but I'm still under the 14 days)
3. Get spacers - I don't know anything about spacers >>> any thoughts here? 1/2" spacers seem like the best option, I see them on AmericanTrucks for ~$20.
4. Or get new wheels - not quite wild about this since I don't want to spend the $$$, at least not right now.

As always, thanks for the help.

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[LCF]

Pretty sure you gotta run 1.25 spacers or bigger …or cut your studs…????

 

[people-call-me-chris]

Pretty sure you gotta run 1.25 spacers or bigger …or cut your studs…????

Why 1.25” and not 0.5 or 0.25”?

 

[LCF]

I’m not 100% sure but thinks it’s a fitment issue…???…hopefully someone that runs spacers will chime in.

 

[GIjoe]

Get the smallest spacer you can if you’re not wanting more offset. Someone posted a link recently to some 5mm hub centric spacers, I think they were on Amazon if you search for it

 

[Iconic22F150]

#2. See if they’ll let you trade them in for a 295/55/20 in the same tire. They’re slightly less wide but do weigh a few more pounds.
#3. I personally don’t like the idea of wheel spacers but if you do go that route I’d suggest as small as needed and some high quality bullet aluminum ones.

 

[Calson]

I would replace the tires with smaller ones and be done with it. The tire shop was negligent in mounting the tires in the first place and they know it.

 

[SpaceWhiteF150]

Run some .25” hub centric spacers!

 

[PB_2021]

I would replace the tires with smaller ones and be done with it. The tire shop was negligent in mounting the tires in the first place and they know it.

Not sure I can agree with that shop slam. They're in business to do what the customer wants, within safety considerations. Maybe most folks who do this, don't mind the rub, or on some, due to the natural variation in trucks and tires and load, it doesn't rub.

Anyway, if it's a slight rub, at full lock, I'd ignore it. It'll wear off soon enough!

 

[people-call-me-chris]

Yeah they did what I asked. Not blaming them. I ended up just swapping out for 285/60/R20’s which actually had a slightly larger diameter but less width and its perfect.

 

[Calson]

Replacing OEM tires with larger ones is not legal in California and unscrupulous shops still do it. People still sell kits to disable the emissions control systems in vehicles and small garages will help install them.

Oversized tires are 99% ego driven and increase wear and tear on the front suspension, wheel spindles, and steering components. Most guys don't bother to extend the fenders or add mud guards and so are tossing rocks up at other vehicles as they drive down the road.

What is legal and what is smart and what is courteous to others are three different things that are ignored by most.

 

[diambo4life]

Replacing OEM tires with larger ones is not legal in California and unscrupulous shops still do it. People still sell kits to disable the emissions control systems in vehicles and small garages will help install them.

Oversized tires are 99% ego driven and increase wear and tear on the front suspension, wheel spindles, and steering components. Most guys don't bother to extend the fenders or add mud guards and so are tossing rocks up at other vehicles as they drive down the road.

What is legal and what is smart and what is courteous to others are three different things that are ignored by most.

You are definitely on the wrong forum because ALL we do here is modify our vehicles. For OP, you simply had two decisions. Get the smaller tire or get new wheels. I am NOT a fan of spacers when it comes to correcting wheel fitment/offset issues.

 

[PB_2021]

TireRack website says AT4W 305/55/20 fits a stock truck.

Maybe depends on options? FX4, Max Tow / Heavy Payload?

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