I have a 99 F150 4x4 supercab with the 5.4. It is also the "sport package". Yay a different grill and a stupid painted rear bumper.

Anyways I was wondering why some 150s have 17" rims while other's have 16" rims. I see some 4x4's with 16's and some with 17's.

What are the reasons behind the different rim sizes?

 

Styling trend. Large wheels are currently popular. In 1999, 17 inch wheels were considered "cutting edge" for a 4x4. Today, 20's are considered "cutting edge" by the truck manufacturers.

 

I think that Lariates come with 17" wheels stock, while other body styles come with 16" wheels. This is the case with 4x2s so I am guessing it is the same for 4x4s.

 

In '97 you could get the 17" wheels when you got the off-road package. I prefer these 16" wheels better than that style of 17" wheel personally.

Not exactly sure how it worked in following years.

 

I've seen 4x4's with 16" rims and 17" rims. I don't have a Lariat and I don't have the off road package. Yet my 99 still has 17" rims.

Maybe 4x4's with a 5.4 got the 17" rims?

 

Did you buy the pickup new or used? If you got it used there is a very good chance that whoever bought it new just had the dealer put the 17 inch wheels on it. I know my dad did that because he wanted the 17 inch wheels but didn't want the whole offroad package. Even if it was new, if you bought it off the lot, it could have had a wheel swap done on it for some reason.

 

I have an 01 Supercrew 4x4 w/o off-road package and I have 17s. My buddy has an 03 Extended Cab 4x4 w/ off-road package and he has 16s. I don't think there is a set reason behind it. I think it's just an option that has nothing to do with trim package.

 

My 05 XLT 4X2 has 17" rims...