Not a fan of Lariat wheels, so this is what I did... powder coated dark color

[Moto26]

Huge improvement. That was the least attractive thing about the Lariat. I'm still not crazy about the unidirectional wheels that aren't left/right specific, but still looks pretty good with the powder coat.

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[Rangerjimm]

Sold my Goodyear Wranglers for $700 and put the Michelins on. Michelins didn't come in 255/65R18 but the Discount Tire lookup suggested 265/60R18. They turned out to be 1.7% smaller, 30.5 instead of 31.1 diameter.
The Michelins are great, but I wanted something more aggressive for winter and for off road, so this week went with Bridgestone Dueler AT Ascent. They're 255/70R18 so 1 inch taller than spec at 32.1
Saw where @Alaska Steve put this size on his Ranger which looked great. Very happy with the Bridgestones and larger size looks right for the truck. Now to get an upsized spare to match the larger tire. Here's a pic with new Bridgestones.

Yes, those look great. I was looking at the Falkens in that size also. You made out like a bandit on those Goodyears!

 

[Oldbarn70]

Sold my Goodyear Wranglers for $700 and put the Michelins on. Michelins didn't come in 255/65R18 but the Discount Tire lookup suggested 265/60R18. They turned out to be 1.7% smaller, 30.5 instead of 31.1 diameter.
The Michelins are great, but I wanted something more aggressive for winter and for off road, so this week went with Bridgestone Dueler AT Ascent. They're 255/70R18 so 1 inch taller than spec at 32.1
Saw where @Alaska Steve put this size on his Ranger which looked great. Very happy with the Bridgestones and larger size looks right for the truck. Now to get an upsized spare to match the larger tire. Here's a pic with new Bridgestones.

EasternKS: Could you please attach some more pics of your truck's tire setup? If possible, some front & rear pics?

I have the exact same truck ordered, and it's down to 255/70r18 or 265/70r18, with the same tire you have (Bridgestone Dueler Ascent A/T). I have these tires on an F150 now and they are the best tires I've ever had.

If anyone else has pictures of the 255/70 or 265/70 on ****ONLY 18" wheels**** that would be great.

 

[EasternKS]

EasternKS: Could you please attach some more pics of your truck's tire setup? If possible, some front & rear pics?

I have the exact same truck ordered, and it's down to 255/70r18 or 265/70r18, with the same tire you have (Bridgestone Dueler Ascent A/T). I have these tires on an F150 now and they are the best tires I've ever had.

If anyone else has pictures of the 255/70 or 265/70 on ****ONLY 18" wheels**** that would be great.

 

[EasternKS]

Here you go. I'm very happy with the Bridgestone Dueler Ascent. Quiet, good handling and a good compromise between aggressive off road and city/highway. And about a half inch more clearance. The 255/70 R18 are about 3.1% larger than spec, so going 70 mph is really about 72. Good luck

 

[Scooter]

Definitely an improvement over the chrome/polished Old Man Wheels.

I like the look of my XLT with dark wheels and Marsh Gray, looks classy, without looking dated.

 

[danmoochie]

The basic design of the Lariat wheels are fine, but the bright aluminum milling on top surfaces just doesn't match the dark colors of the sport appearance option, and isn't my taste. So I found a shop that powder coats wheels and picked a dark color. Much better in my opinion...

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WAY better, I hated the OEM set, these are like the XLT which I love.

 

[Oldbarn70]

Here you go. I'm very happy with the Bridgestone Dueler Ascent. Quiet, good handling and a good compromise between aggressive off road and city/highway. And about a half inch more clearance. The 255/70 R18 are about 3.1% larger than spec, so going 70 mph is really about 72. Good luck

Thanks for the pics. Funny how the weights of both the 255's and 265's are identical (both the Bridgestone website and Tirerack specs show 39 lbs), so theoretically the MPGs should be about the same. The 265's will raise the overall gear ratio (taller) a little bit but that's it. Tough choice!

 

[superj]

that small of a difference won't really affect mileage and will probably make your speedometer more accurate since they generally read a hair fast

 

[Dr. TJG DVM]

Here you go. I'm very happy with the Bridgestone Dueler Ascent. Quiet, good handling and a good compromise between aggressive off road and city/highway. And about a half inch more clearance. The 255/70 R18 are about 3.1% larger than spec, so going 70 mph is really about 72. Good luck

Next up, the silver lower front valance… I find it so out of place. I’m seriously

Here you go. I'm very happy with the Bridgestone Dueler Ascent. Quiet, good handling and a good compromise between aggressive off road and city/highway. And about a half inch more clearance. The 255/70 R18 are about 3.1% larger than spec, so going 70 mph is really about 72. Good luck

Here you go. I'm very happy with the Bridgestone Dueler Ascent. Quiet, good handling and a good compromise between aggressive off road and city/highway. And about a half inch more clearance. The 255/70 R18 are about 3.1% larger than spec, so going 70 mph is really about 72. Good luck

Next up… silver lower front valance. It’s the one thing I really dislike on mine. Considering some of the options thrown out on other threads here, but don’t know how long I can live with the OEM. Bad choice Ford!

 

[skytrucker]

Love the powder coated lariat wheels! Like others said, they look “right” and definitely take the “limited/old man” version out of the look of the truck.
I’ve never even noticed the lower valance though, maybe cause my truck’s grey, it blends a little better than a darker paint…interested to see how other’s look with a darker chin though!

 

[skytrucker]

Although, I notice it NOW….thanks, guys!
now I’m going to have to change that, too….

What’s the process for powder coating a set of wheels? Assume you’d have to deliver the wheels without tires (or a truck) still attache….dyou just leave the truck on 4jack stands for the day or 2 while the powder cost’s being done??

 

[EasternKS]

Although, I notice it NOW….thanks, guys!
now I’m going to have to change that, too….

What’s the process for powder coating a set of wheels? Assume you’d have to deliver the wheels without tires (or a truck) still attache….dyou just leave the truck on 4jack stands for the day or 2 while the powder cost’s being done??

Found a shop locally that had great reviews. Dropped off the truck in the morning, truck was ready the next day. Was about $160 a wheel I think. Good luck. Great looking truck!

 

[Viporpa]

Love it !! stealing your idea , lol. I hate those stock rims on my truck.

 

[purdyd]

Love the powder coated lariat wheels! Like others said, they look “right” and definitely take the “limited/old man” version out of the look of the truck.
I’ve never even noticed the lower valance though, maybe cause my truck’s grey, it blends a little better than a darker paint…interested to see how other’s look with a darker chin though!

nothing says old man like white lettering on the tires......

If I had to pick a color for the rims I would go with a titanium

but in my opinion the machined aluminum look is pretty good. It is a functional color as that is the color of aluminum.

it ties in the the blue ovals and the lariat name plate.

Its like the front and rear bumper colors which tie together and the black plastic trim

I understand the allure of the black on black stealth mode but I don't think it is really a practical design. I am over trying to find black things stored in black bags. God forbid I should drop a black screw in my garage.

And I think It is good to have a little separation of design elements from an aesthetic point of view and from a safety point of view. I do not for instance like gray cars because I find them hard to see.

But I do not like the silver "chin". I don't see how that ties into anything other than to evoke a feeling that there is a chrome bumper when there isn't.

Fortunately, that design element is easy to cure with a can of spray paint.

Anyway, I do like the powder coated wheels but I am not totally against the stock wheels either.

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