2017+ Ford Super Duty Wheel And Tire Fitment and Trimming Guide For Fitting 35s, 37s, 38s and 40s
This is the ultimate guide to fitting larger tires like 33s, 35s, 37s, 38s, or even 40s on your 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, or 2024 Ford F-250 and F-350. In this guide and video, we cover everything you need to know from wheel specs to trimming to suspension lifts and level kits.
believe it or not, Tire Fitment is More about wheel specs than lift
While the word on the Internet has always been that you need more lift to clear more tire, that actually isn't necessarily true. While height increase does help a little, that lift goes right back to stock height when you compress the suspension. Wheels with the proper offset, width and backspace are actually the key piece of the puzzle for stuffing a big tire into a small space.
One thing we want to address on Ford trucks is varied factory height. Depending on trim package, (ie Tremor or snow plow prep trucks) the front end will sit a little taller in stock form. This doesn't really change tire clearance in a practical way as we just mentioned, but it's worth noting.
Follow along as we do a deep dive into the proper specs needed to clear big rubber! As a quick note, we'll be talking about wheel offset in this article. That refers to how far the wheel sticks out. The more positive, the more tucked in the wheel is. The more negative, the more it sticks out. As a reference, to fit 37s on a Super Duty, we typically recommend around 0 offset to +18 offset on a 8.5-9.5” wide wheel. For reference, 0 offset gives a slight poke, while +18 is flush with the fender flares on a Tremor package truck.
Stock Height
A 2017-2022 Ford truck with stock wheels and stock suspension will fit 285-295 metric sizing tires on the factory wheels with no trimming or very minor plastic trimming on the inner front fender liner with aggressive mud terrain tires. One thing to note is that the limitation with size isn't lift, it's wheel specs. The factory wheels are around +45 offset, which is extremely tucked into the truck. That means you'll have contact on the radius arms and sway bar when turning to full steering lock with tires larger than a 295 or even some 285 tires with large side lugs like a Toyo MT.
This goes out the window on 2023+ Super Duty trucks, as Ford altered the radius arms and sway bar to increase tire clearance. That means you can get 35" tires on the stock wheels without issue, and can even clear 37s on the stock wheels as long as you stick to a 12.5 or 11.5 wide all terrain. At stock height, you'll need some fender liner trimming however to fully turn with the suspension compressed- even on a Tremor.
Wheels with +18mm or similar offset that are 8”-9” inches wide with anywhere between 5” and 6” backspacing will fit a 35”x12.50” tire with no trimming. If you want a more aggressive stance (wider with maybe 1.5-2" of poke from the fender) a 0 or even -12 offset wheel that's 8.5-9" wide can be used. With that spec you might have to trim a small amount of plastic fender liner for 35s.
.5"-3.5” Leveling Kits (Stock Rear height)
On stock wheels, you can fit up to 295 tire with no trimming on a 2017-2022 Ford. This Is the same as a stock height truck since the factory wheels, radius arms and sway bar are the limiting pieces of the puzzle. They are so tucked in that they cause rub on the suspension when turning to full steering lock. Tires with large side lugs such as Toyo MT’s will have more radius arm contact at full steering lock than rounder tires like an all terrain. Adding a Carli radius arm and sway bar for more clearance can alleviate this issue however.
2023+ trucks can run 35s at leveled height on stock wheels without issue.
37”x12.5” tires can be run on stock wheels, but there will be moderate radius arm rubbing at full lock. Trimming of the plastic fender liner will also be necessary. Using a Carli high clearance sway bar and radius arm will help, but there may still be some contact. You can also attempt to band aid the wheel specs with spacers, but our preferred Method is simply selecting the right wheels for the job.
2023+ trucks can run 37x11.5 or 37.12.5 all terrains on the stock wheels at leveled height.
+12mm to +18 offset wheels that are 8-9 inches wide can fit up to a 37”x12.5” tire with minor plastic fender liner trimming on 2017-2022 trucks. When running a 37”x13.5” tire Carli radius arms and sway bar are mandatory to retain full turning radius without rubbing. Keep in mind the larger the side lugs, the more trimming is necessary. For 2023+ trucks, you can run a 13.5 wide 37 on this wheel spec with stock radius arms and sway bar.
+1 to +12 offset wheels that are 8.5 to 9.5" wide offer a bit more poke, typically sitting the wheel 1" or so out from the fender . This spec combined with a 37" tire makes for a great look and is our favorite sweet spot for Super Duty trucks to require only minor trimming, and clear 37x12.5 and 37x13.5 tires. This range also works well for 38x13.5 tires, which do require more fender liner and pinch weld trimming.
0mm offset wheels that are 8”-9” inches wide with anywhere between 4.75” and 5” backspacing will fit 37x12.5, 37x13.5, and 38x13.5 tires. Again, the wider and taller the tire, the more trimming is required.
-12mm offset wheels that are 8”-9” inches wide with 4.5” backspacing will fit a 37”x12.5” tire with moderate plastic fender liner trimming and with trimming some of the pinch weld. You can really push things with a 13.5" tire on this wheel spec, but more trimming will be required.
-24mm offset wheels that are 10” inches wide, can generally fir 35s at leveled height with mild trimming. They can also be run with moderate trimming on a 12” wide wheel. Anything with more than -24mm offset should stick to 33s for no trimming, 35s for moderate trimming, and only run 37s if you are okay with heavy trimming and some loss of turning radius. If you want wide wheels, you have to accept trimming and rub, even with a leveling kit!
4-6" Lift Kits
On stock wheels, you can fit up to 295 tire with no trimming on a 2017-2022 Ford. This Is the same as a stock height truck since the factory wheels, radius arms and sway bar are the limiting pieces of the puzzle. They are so tucked in that they cause rub on the suspension when turning to full steering lock. Tires with large side lugs such as Toyo MT’s will have more radius arm contact at full steering lock than rounder tires like an all terrain. Adding a Carli radius arm and sway bar for more clearance can alleviate this issue however.
2023+ trucks can run 35s at 4-6" lift height on stock wheels without issue.
37”x12.5” tires can be run on stock wheels, but there will be moderate radius arm rubbing at full lock. Trimming of the plastic fender liner will also be necessary. Using a Carli high clearance sway bar and radius arm will help, but there may still be some contact. You can also attempt to band aid the wheel specs with spacers, but our preferred Method is simply selecting the right wheels for the job.
2023+ trucks can run 37x11.5 or 37.12.5 all terrains on the stock wheels at 4-6" lifted height.
+12mm to +18 offset wheels that are 8-9 inches wide can fit up to a 37”x12.5” tire with minor fender liner trimming on 2017-2022 trucks. When running a 37”x13.5” tire Carli radius arms and sway bar are mandatory to retain full turning radius without rubbing. Keep in mind the larger the side lugs, the more trimming is necessary. For 2023+ trucks, you can run a 13.5 wide 37 on this wheel spec with stock radius arms and sway bar. Keep in mind this is a “flush with the fender” look, so we usually don't find it to look right with 4-6" lift and prefer a slightly wider stance to match the height.
+1 to +12 offset wheels that are 8.5 to 9.5" wide offer a bit more poke, typically sitting the wheel 1" or so out from the fender . This spec combined with a 37" tire makes for a great look and is our favorite sweet spot for Super Duty trucks to require only minor trimming, and clear 37x12.5 and 37x13.5 tires. This range also works well for 38x13.5 tires, which do require more fender liner and pinch weld trimming.
0mm offset wheels that are 8”-9” inches wide with anywhere between 4.75” and 5” backspacing will fit 37x12.5, 37x13.5, 38x13.5, and 40x13.5 tires. This spec is one of our favorites for a 4-6" lift to balance looks and tire clearance. On the topic of 38s and 40s, it should be noted that full compression clearance begins to be an issue at this size. They are okay for basic street driving, but you will need to trim front AND rear to maintain clearance at complete suspension compression. This is especially true for trucks with factory of aftermarket fender flares, as they fill into much needed space for tire clearance.
-12mm offset wheels that are 8”-9” inches wide with 4.5” backspacing will fit a 37x12.5, 37x13.5, 38x13.5, and 40x13.5 tire with moderate plastic fender liner trimming and with trimming some of the pinch weld. This spec is also our go to for 4-6" lifts to achieve the right stance, and we find that 38/13.5s are right at the sweet spot to balance trimming, functionality and looks. 40s are possible on this spec, but do require front and rear trimming to maintain full compression travel.
-24mm offset wheels that are 10” inches wide, can generally fit 35 at 4-6" lift height with no trimming. They can also be run with some slight trimming on a 12” wide wheel. Anything with more than -24mm offset should stick to 35s for light trimming, 37s for moderate trimming, and only run 38s or larger if you are okay with heavy trimming and some loss of turning radius. If you want wide wheels, you have to accept trimming and rub, even with a leveling kit! In this case, we typically find that wide wheels just aren't practical to run with larger than 37s unless you don't take the truck off road or cycle the suspension at all.
Trimming
Fitting 37s, 38s, and 40s can require trimming. If you need to tackle it, here's a good guide to help. If you like moving photos, check out this video.
Here's comparison photos between a stock truck, and a truck trimmed for 38s at level height. This means we trimmed the black plastic cap, fender liner, pinch weld, and even did a fender liner pull back by drilling a hole through the pinch weld and zip tying the fender liner to suck it away from the tire.
Please note, this is what we'd consider as extreme trimming. For the standard 37s, only the edge of the plastic fender cap needs to be trimmed. That said, we figured this would show every possible option, so always start small and work up. Despite being “extreme” trimming, note that none of the fender or anything outside of whe wheel well is trimmed.
Wondering what wheels meet the specs we outlined above? Here's a good list below. Remember that diameter doesn't impact fitment in any way, but does impact ride. The larger the tire and smaller the wheel, the better your truck will ride.
Here's a list of wheel and tire combos that work well to result in no or VERY minimal trimming:
8.5-9" wide wheel with +12 to +18 offset:
- 35/12.5 Toyo AT
- 35/12.5 Toyo RT and RT Trail
- 35/12.5 Nitto Recon Grappler
- 35/12.5 Nitto Ridge Grappler
- 35/12.5 Falken AT and RT
- 37/12.5 Toyo AT
- 37/12.5 Toyo RT and RT Trail
- 37/12.5 Nitto Recon Grappler
- 37/12.5 Nitto Ridge Grappler
- 37/12.5 Falken AT and RT
- Please note 17-22 trucks running 37s with this spec wheel will require Carli radius arms and sway bar to clear. 23+ trucks will not.
8.5-9" wide wheel with 0 offset:
- 35/12.5 Toyo AT
- 35/12.5 Toyo RT and RT Trail
- 35/12.5 Nitto Recon Grappler
- 35/12.5 Nitto Ridge Grappler
- 35/12.5 Falken AT and RT
- 37/12.5 Toyo AT
- 37/12.5 Toyo RT and RT Trail
- 37/12.5 Nitto Recon Grappler
- 37/12.5 Nitto Ridge Grappler
- 37/12.5 Falken AT and RT
Here's a list of wheel and tire combos that work well and require only mild/moderate fender liner trimming.
8.5-9" wide wheel with +12 to +18 offset:
- 35/12.5 Toyo AT
- 35/12.5 Toyo RT and RT Trail
- 35/12.5 Nitto Recon Grappler
- 35/12.5 Nitto Ridge Grappler
- 35/12.5 Falken AT and RT
- 37/12.5 Toyo AT
- 37/12.5 Toyo RT and RT Trail
- 37/12.5 Nitto Recon Grappler
- 37/12.5 Nitto Ridge Grappler
- 37/12.5 Falken AT and RT
- 37/12.5 Toyo MT
- 37/13.5 Toyo AT
- 37/13.5 Toyo RT and RT Trail
- 37/13.5 Nitto Recon Grappler
- 37/13.5 Nitto Ridge Grappler
- 37/13.5 Falken AT and RT
- Please note 17-22 trucks running 37s with this spec wheel will require Carli radius arms and sway bar to clear. 23+ trucks will not.
8.5-9" wide wheel with 0 offset:
- 35/12.5 Toyo AT
- 35/12.5 Toyo RT and RT Trail
- 35/12.5 Nitto Recon Grappler
- 35/12.5 Nitto Ridge Grappler
- 35/12.5 Falken AT and RT
- 37/12.5 Toyo AT
- 37/12.5 Toyo RT and RT Trail
- 37/12.5 Nitto Recon Grappler
- 37/12.5 Falken AT
- 37/13.5 Toyo AT
- 37/13.5 Toyo RT and RT Trail
- 37/13.5 Nitto Recon Grappler
- 37/13.5 Nitto Ridge Grappler
- 37/13.5 Falken AT and RT
38s and 40s will require what we consider heavier trimming since you must trim the pinch weld, inner fender, fender liner, and fender flare if equipped.
Worried About Rock Chips?
We often have people ask how we prevent rock chips when running 37s or 35s on these trucks. While mud flaps were normally the answer, when you're playing a game of millimeters with tire clearance they usually don't fit.
We've ended up realizing that PPF or paint protection film is a better solution, especially since you can protect the entire truck or just the rockers and bumpers with a self healing Xpel film wrap. This has been our go to solution on all our personal trucks, with local shop, American Wrap Co. handling the installation.
