Front crash bar removal / modification to fit larger tires

[Atlas0331]

Evening everyone. Ran into an issue with some wheels and tires I put on my '25 FX4 today. Originally came with 20s on street tires I'm guessing +44 offset. I wanted a slightly bigger tire on 18s without having to level it out. Eventually will level it but probably not for a year or so. Went with 285/70R18 Falkens on Method 709HDs which are +12 offset. The only reason I went with he 709s is because the other ones I wanted 316 or 703 were not available which had the +18 offset I knew I wouldn't have any rubbing issues with. So as these sit at full turn in either direction the tires rub on the front crash bar. Digging into it a little looks like a lot of people either remove or cut it off. What's your thoughts on doing that? I think the leveling kit will help the issue but not completely. Anyone removed the crash bar? Looks like you need to cut off the bolt head to get it out. Thanks for any input

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[XLT22]

Bad idea for a whole host of reasons. #1 being if you get into an accident and get hurt from the tire entering the passenger compartment your insurance company is going to make your life hell.

 

[Atlas0331]

Makes sense guess I’ll have to expedite this leveling kit. My fault for not doing proper measurements before

 

[evilphysicist]

Leveling kit will likely help or solve the problem.

At the front of the wheel well there's a crash bar that more deflects the energy of a crash around the front suspension and wheel. At the rear of the wheel well is an anti-intrusion beam that helps keep the wheel and suspension out of the passenger compartment. Both are important. Fabtech makes a replacement offset anti-intrusion beam that gives you back some space in the rear. By the time you've invested $200 in those you could have just leveled the truck though.

I've seen where people will heat and bend the forward crash bar, but you'll lose some of the strength in the original heat treatment of the bar. Better than cutting it off altogether.

 

[Suns_PSD]

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thr...sh-bars-whats-the-smart-fix.27106/post-518076

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