How to Install 18 Inch Rims on a F150 Truck
Installing larger, 18-inch rims on the Ford F-150 can improve the truck's handling and performance, depending on the quality and design of the rim and tire combination. Because the F-150 has large fender openings, it's a good candidate for increasing rim size. It can easily accommodate a slightly larger tire and rim without risking damage to the fender or the tire due to scrubbing caused by a reduced or restricted turn radius.
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Instructions
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Determine what different tire and rim combinations will work the model year of your F-150. The concept of installing a larger rim on a vehicle without increasing the overall tire size is called plus sizing. The goal is to install larger rims without significantly increase the tire size. This means that as your rim size goes up, your sidewall size needs to go down. Keep in mind the rim you choose needs to be the correct lug pattern for your F-150.
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Mount the tires on the rim by a professional tire shop prior to installation. Mounting tires on a rim requires specialized equipment. Improperly mounted tires may not hold air and can make the F-150 dangerous to operate.
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Make sure the truck is in park. Loosen, but do not remove, lug nuts on the existing tires. Jack up the F-150 and place jack stands under the frame to support it.
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Remove the lug nuts. Pull the tire and wheel straight off vehicle and replace with new tire and wheel. Retighten lug nuts and lower the F-150 to the ground. Repeat on the three other tires.
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Tips & Warnings
Use caution when lifting vehicle off of the ground. Vehicles can fall off jacks and cause injury or death.
References
- Photo Credit tyres and rims at display image by TekinT from Fotolia.com
