I initially wanted to level out my truck and put 35s, but ran into a ton of issues and I could not find any solution on this forum. So here’s my story and hopefully you like the look with my specific wants and it helps you build your truck with ease.
In my situation, I just wanted a suspension level to fit 35s on stock 20” rims, w/ no puck and no spacers b/c I don’t trust them. I wanted the truck to look OEM+ or bubba look. I’ve seen them done on many trucks w/ stock control arms, however, I didn’t trust stock UCA’s going more than 3” above what they were intended. So, after many forum reads here, I decided on cognito ball joint UCA’s, bilstein B8 5100 front, and B8 5160 rear. I would’ve wanted a complete strut from Bilstein, however, with the 3.0L engine they didn’t allow it to be put on. I bought 35x12.50R20 nitto ridge thinking they’d fit and I was assured by the mechanics. Install process went great till we put on the tires and rubbed the UCA badly. This is due to the +28 offset on the rims which sucked. Put on 3/8” spacers, it barely fit but the lug nuts wouldn’t torque down. So, went to 1.5” spacer (smallest spacer over studs to not cut them). I didn’t like tires that poke a ton, and I had issues running the truck. It took much more force to brake, insane decline in MPG, rubbed a ton turning even though I cut a lot of fender liner and part of the body, and I felt uncomfortable with spacers on. Took the tires and spacers off and went back to my stocks so I can run them bald till i figure a way to get the look I wanted.
Fast forward to yesterday, finally got the courage to get 275/65R20 nitto ridge. I wanted 285, however, the spacing between the tire and the UCA was super small. Now, the truck looks exactly what I wanted with slightly smaller tires, it rides much better with the shocks, off road capable, no rub at all when turning, and I have space between tire and UCA.
Take it from me and learn from my mistakes. In the end, I’m extremely happy and comfortable how it currently sits as I drive 70-100 miles a day and go off road for work with the occasional 2300 mile round trip drive to go home on my time off. Now, I’m in the hunt for a camlocker toolbox (I’ll post how I put it in the bed later since I have the Carbonpro bed), banks iDash, grille light bar, and whatever else I like.
In my situation, I just wanted a suspension level to fit 35s on stock 20” rims, w/ no puck and no spacers b/c I don’t trust them. I wanted the truck to look OEM+ or bubba look. I’ve seen them done on many trucks w/ stock control arms, however, I didn’t trust stock UCA’s going more than 3” above what they were intended. So, after many forum reads here, I decided on cognito ball joint UCA’s, bilstein B8 5100 front, and B8 5160 rear. I would’ve wanted a complete strut from Bilstein, however, with the 3.0L engine they didn’t allow it to be put on. I bought 35x12.50R20 nitto ridge thinking they’d fit and I was assured by the mechanics. Install process went great till we put on the tires and rubbed the UCA badly. This is due to the +28 offset on the rims which sucked. Put on 3/8” spacers, it barely fit but the lug nuts wouldn’t torque down. So, went to 1.5” spacer (smallest spacer over studs to not cut them). I didn’t like tires that poke a ton, and I had issues running the truck. It took much more force to brake, insane decline in MPG, rubbed a ton turning even though I cut a lot of fender liner and part of the body, and I felt uncomfortable with spacers on. Took the tires and spacers off and went back to my stocks so I can run them bald till i figure a way to get the look I wanted.
Fast forward to yesterday, finally got the courage to get 275/65R20 nitto ridge. I wanted 285, however, the spacing between the tire and the UCA was super small. Now, the truck looks exactly what I wanted with slightly smaller tires, it rides much better with the shocks, off road capable, no rub at all when turning, and I have space between tire and UCA.
Take it from me and learn from my mistakes. In the end, I’m extremely happy and comfortable how it currently sits as I drive 70-100 miles a day and go off road for work with the occasional 2300 mile round trip drive to go home on my time off. Now, I’m in the hunt for a camlocker toolbox (I’ll post how I put it in the bed later since I have the Carbonpro bed), banks iDash, grille light bar, and whatever else I like.
