Tire & Wheel Fitment Guide: 2017-2022 Ford F-250 with a Leveling Kit

Running a leveling kit on your 2017–2022 Ford F-250 Super Duty opens up room for bigger tires — but only if you match the right wheel specs. Here's a complete breakdown of what fits, what rubs, and how to set up your truck right the first time.

Largest Safe Tire Size by Lift Height

On a 2017–2022 Ford F-250 with a 2", 2.5", or 3" leveling kit, the largest safe tire for a clean, no-rub fit on factory wheels is 35x12.50R20 (metric equivalents: 295/65R20 or 315/70R18).

2" Leveling Kit

Max Tire: 35x12.50 on factory or positive offset wheels.

Fits comfortably for daily street driving. Aggressive tread patterns on wide aftermarket wheels may brush the plastic inner liner or valence at full steering lock, but a standard 35x12.50 on factory offset wheels is a clean install.

2.5" Leveling Kit

Max Tire: 35x12.50 (or a narrow 37x11.50 with careful wheel selection).

The 2.5" level is the most popular setup for a reason — it's the sweet spot for 35s. Note that standard 37x12.50 tires can be squeezed on, but they will frequently rub the factory radius arms and front sway bar during tight turns or suspension articulation. Stick to 35x12.50 for a truly trouble-free daily driver.

3" Leveling Kit

Max Tire: 35x12.50 clears easily; 37x12.50 becomes possible on factory wheels or specific aftermarket offsets.

With 3" of lift, 37x12.50 tires are within reach on factory wheels or mild aftermarket offsets — but minor trimming of the front bumper valence or the addition of a radius arm correction bracket is often required to completely eliminate rubbing.

Recommended Wheel Specs to Prevent Rubbing

Setup Goal	Wheel Width	Offset Range	Backspacing	Result
No-Rub / Clean Fit (Best for 35s)	9" or 9.5"	+18mm to +20mm	~5.75"	Zero rubbing with 35x12.50. Tucks cleanly under the fender flares.
Flush / Slight Poke	9"	0mm to +12mm	~5.00"–5.50"	Tires push ~0.5" past fender. Clears suspension easily; may need minor front valence trimming.
Factory Wheels (Budget Friendly)	8" or 8.5"	+40mm	~6.00"	Safe for 35s, but wide 12.50" tires may lightly brush radius arms at full lock.
Aggressive Stance (High Rub Risk)	10" or 12"	-12mm to -44mm	<4.75"	Will rub heavily on front valence and rear fender lining, even with 35s. Requires trimming.

Key Rules for Wheel Selection

• Avoid deep negative offsets. Wheels with -12mm, -24mm, or -44mm offset push the tire far outside the wheel well. During steering input, the tire swings directly into your bumper and cab corners. Stick to +18mm to +20mm for a clean, safe setup.
• Bolt pattern: Your 2017–2022 F-250 uses an 8x170mm bolt pattern.
• Center bore: Ensure wheels are hub-centric for Ford (125.1mm center bore), or use quality hub-centric rings to eliminate highway vibration.
• Street vs. off-road: Street driving with a 35" setup rarely causes rubbing. Heavy off-road flexing can cause contact even with a proper 2" or 2.5" level, so account for full suspension articulation when choosing your setup.

Need a Radius Arm Correction Bracket?

If you're running a 3" level or planning to run 37s, a radius arm drop bracket can correct caster angle and provide additional clearance to help eliminate rubbing on the front suspension components. Apoc Industries manufactures radius arm drop brackets specifically for the 2017–2022 Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty — built in the USA from heavy-duty steel.

Quick Reference: Your 2017–2022 F-250 Wheel Specs

• Bolt Pattern: 8x170mm
• Center Bore: 125.1mm
• Recommended Offset: +18mm to +20mm for no-rub with 35x12.50
• Recommended Width: 9"–9.5"
• Max Tire (2"–2.5" level): 35x12.50R20 / 295/65R20 / 315/70R18
• Max Tire (3" level): 37x12.50 with possible minor trimming