The Build: 7-Inch BDS Lift on 22x12 Akron Wheels with 35s
This is one of those builds that stops traffic. A customer brought their truck to American Fusion Wheels with a clear vision: go big, go aggressive, and make it ride right. The result was a 7-inch BDS adjustable suspension lift paired with 22x12 Akron wheels wrapped in 35x12.50x22 RT tires — a combination that delivers both jaw-dropping looks and real-world capability.
Here is a detailed breakdown of what went into this build, why we chose each component, and what truck owners should know if they want to build something similar.
BDS 7-Inch Adjustable Suspension Lift
We chose the BDS 7-inch adjustable lift for this build for several important reasons:
- Adjustable Ride Height — Unlike fixed lifts, the BDS adjustable system lets the owner fine-tune their ride height. Want to run 37s down the road? The adjustment is already built in. This future-proofs the investment and gives the owner flexibility without buying another lift kit.
- Factory-Like Ride Quality — BDS engineers their lifts with proper geometry corrections, meaning the suspension still articulates the way it was designed to. Steering feels tight, braking is predictable, and highway cruising stays comfortable even at 7 inches of lift.
- Heavy-Duty Components — BDS uses CNC-machined brackets, high-strength crossmembers, and premium Fox or Bilstein shocks depending on the package. Every component is designed to handle the added stress that comes with running oversized wheels and tires.
What Goes Into a Lift Installation
A lift this size is not a bolt-on job. Our technicians spent a full day on this installation, which included:
- Complete removal of factory suspension components
- Installation of new crossmembers, control arms, and knuckles
- Brake line extensions and relocation brackets
- Rear leaf springs or blocks depending on application
- New shocks and shock mounts
- Driveshaft inspection and carrier bearing drop if needed
- Full four-wheel alignment on our Hunter alignment machine
The alignment is critical. Without proper alignment after a lift, you will chew through a set of expensive tires in a matter of months and the truck will pull and wander on the highway.
22x12 Akron Wheels with -44 Offset
The wheel choice for this build was the Akron in a 22x12 size with a -44 offset. Here is why this combination works so well:
- 22x12 Sizing — The 12-inch-wide barrel gives the wheel a massive, aggressive face that fills out the wheel well. On a lifted truck, this wide stance creates the planted, muscular look that turns heads at every stoplight.
- -44 Offset — The deep negative offset pushes the wheel face outward, giving the truck that coveted flush or slightly poked stance. This is the sweet spot where the tires sit right at the fender edge without excessive poke that causes road spray and clearance issues.
- Finish and Style — The Akron wheel features a multi-spoke design with milled accents that complements both dark and light truck colors. It is a wheel that looks good clean or dirty.
35x12.50x22 RT Tires
We paired the wheels with 35x12.50x22 Rugged Terrain tires — the perfect middle ground between aggressive looks and daily driveability. RT tires give you:
- Aggressive sidewall and tread pattern that looks like a mud terrain
- Quieter highway ride than a full mud terrain
- Excellent wet and dry traction for Kansas weather
- Longer tread life than pure off-road tires
Every set of tires we mount at AFW goes through our Hunter Road Force balancer, which measures not just static balance but the actual uniformity of the tire. This eliminates vibrations that standard balancers miss, especially important on large heavy wheel and tire packages like this one.
Finishing Touches
Before this truck left our shop, we completed TPMS sensor transfer and programming, a full road force balance on all four corners, torqued every fastener to spec, and took it on a test drive to verify alignment, ride quality, and zero vibrations at highway speed. The customer picked up a truck that rides as good as it looks.
Why Choose American Fusion Wheels?
Builds like this are what we do every day at American Fusion Wheels. Our shop is equipped with everything needed to handle full suspension builds in-house — from the lift installation to wheel and tire mounting to alignment and calibration. No subcontracting, no sending your truck to another shop for alignment. Everything happens under one roof.
- Full-service suspension lift installation
- Hunter alignment and road force balancing equipment
- Thousands of wheel and tire packages available
- Expert technicians with years of experience on lifted trucks
Ready to Build Your Truck?
Call us at 913-291-2027 to discuss your lift kit and wheel package. We will help you choose the right combination for your truck, your budget, and the look you are going for. Located at 12310 W 62nd Ter, Shawnee, KS 66216.
