I'm looking to go to a larger tire on my 2001 F150 4x4 Lariat. I've got 17" stock wheels and 265/70/17 tires.

What would be the largest tire that I can get on a 17" wheel WITHOUT having to lift the truck?

I have one dealer telling me a 285 is as large as I can go yet I have acquaintences telling me I can get a 305 on there without lifting or trimming wheel wells.

I drive about 600 miles a week on the interstate AND I pull a boat so I need some "wet ramp" traction. Been looking at Terra Grappler AT and BFG All-terrain. Kinda want to keep a comfortable highway ride (without the nosie) but still have offroad tread when I need it.

Any suggestions of size and tire brand?

 

Those are too excellent choices. You may also want to look at the Toyo Open Country AT which is almost identical to the Terra Grappler. As for size, you can cram a 315/70-17 (35x12.50) on your truck if you keep the stock wheels. You will probably have some minor rubbing. I wouldn't go that large unless you plan on lifting the truck. I would suggest a 285/70-17 (33x11.50), a 33x12.50-17, a 295/70-17 (34x12.00) or a 305/70-17 (34x12.50).

 

285s are about the largest that will fit without any modification.

Larger that that requires trimming of the valence, cranking the torsion bars/some sort of lift, or both.

 

It depends on the wheels. My 285's were not close to touching anything when I had them on the stock 16x7's. When I went to 16x10's, I had to trim about 1/2 inch of plastic off the front bumper's lower valance. If you are gonna keep the stock 17x7.5 inch wheels, you will easily be able to fit any of the tires I listed, other than the 315's which will have some minor rubbing.

 

I think I'm going to go with the 285's. Seems like the consesus for all-around less ehad aches.

Alright men, I'm in Iraq and headed out on my LAST PATROL this morning. 1o days and a wake up !!

Never thought I'd be LOOKING FORWARD to buying tires.

Take care and thanks again.

DGH

 

Take care and come home safe!

 

WaterNazi - I don't normally suggest products to others and should not make a concrete recommendation. If what I can describe seems to be near what you expect form tires, you might wish to look into the tires I have. I have two sets of Nokian Tires. One called Vatiiva on my 02 F150 SC 4 X 4 (275/70R16 and one called WR AWP 2 SUV on my 03 Explorer 4 X4 (255/70R16). Both have excellent handling, ride and dry, wet, snow and ice traction. The Vatiiva is a little more noisy than a highway tire and behaves a little like an All Terrain. The WR is a little less agressive, quiet, and has great handling (it is H Rated). The WR is called standard load but the Max air pressure is 51 Lbs - I have run 45 Lbs - It has to be very strong for a SL tire. If you can put up with stock size, 265/70R17 is as large as they list . I have about 17,000 miles on the Vatiivas and tread wear indicates they will go 40 to 45 K.

This company is from Finland and make some tires at a plant in TN. They are quite popular in Canada and the northern US, and are gaining a following in the Southern US. I chose them on the recommendation of a tire distributor. He was getting excellent reports on them. They are not distributed in all states but can be ordered on-line from e-tailers.

http://www.nokiantires.com is their site address. If you ask, I can help find a distributor or on line e-tailer, or give you a factory contact name.

Most sincere thanks for doing the job you are for the country and for us civilians here at home, and please try to come home safe.