I just got an '06 F-150 for snow plowing. It has the "heavy duty payload package" with bigger springs and frame, but Ford won't supply this truck with anything other than 17 inch 7-lug steel wheels. I guess they worry that aluminum or alloy wheels will fail under the extra load. (They may have a point; my plow weighs 715 lbs, and I haul around 600 lbs of ballast).

Does anybody know of an aftermarket alloy (or even chromed steel) 7-lug wheel? They don't necessarily have to stand up to plowing -- I can put 'em on in the spring when the plow gets tucked in for the year.

The tires are LT 245 / 70R 17D. Mounted on steel wheels, the truck has a bad case of ugly.

Thanks.

 

Deffinitly do a search. People have posted in the past with the same problem and from what I remember there were 2 rims to choose from, both better then stock. Good luck.

 

If they are the same 7 lug pattern that fit on the 98 F250 light duty, I have a set, with tires mounted, sitting in my garage.

 

these guys mention an option or 2 for the earlier 7700 gvw or LD F250's. I'm sure if they offer those, they probably offer something for you.

The limited selection on the heavy duty version of the F150 may be Ford's way of pushing most of us toward the Super Duty trucks. The HD version does not offer much in terms of extra toys, just work truck style. If you want a work truck, that's great, but I'd spend a few more bucks and pick up a F250 with all the toys you'd ever want, plus it's truly HD.

Watch out for aftermarket alloys, unless your buying a forged rim, might break if you hit something. Considering the things you can encounter plowing, I'd stay with the steelies....

Good luck

 

Thanks for the info. I'm new to the site and I'm impressed with the technical knowledge you guys have. 05 Supercrew has been reliably posting good stuff for quite a while. This is definitely the best resource on the web.

It looks like Eagle and American Racing may have wheels for this truck. Kool Aid, I don't know yet if the 7-lug pattern on the F-250 will match. Does anybody know?

Svt2205 has a good point. F-250's are truly HD. Maybe I should have considered it. But I moved up from a Dakota (grimace), and had to take it one step at a time...

Thanks everybody.

 

The wheels I have look like this, but they are 7 lug Ford.

 

Hello Dogmobile, I just got a 3" body lift on my 2001 7700 model and the local tire store offered me centerline style rims for my 7 lug. call your local tire/rim store and see if they can get a 7 lug. also for about 25$ more you can have that lug machined.

 

Centerline makes the best wheels for our 7 lug bolt pattern. Just go on their site and search under Ford Truck 7 Lug. Mine were $275. a wheel. They are extremely heavy duty and have the best selection - 15 different 7-lug wheels to pick from.

http://www.centerlinewheels.com