Hi, I've just discovered the site, and I'm from the UK. I've bought a 97 F150 XLT 4x4 (regular cab, long bed) and it is fitted with alloy wheels with 255/70 R16 tyres. Can anyone let me know what the wheel and tyre size is that it should have had when it was new and also what are the biggest tyres I could fit on these wheels without having to lift the body. Basically I'm trying to reduce the gap between the tyre and body because at the moment I think it looks too big. Also would a off road tyre look bigger than a road tyre of the same size. Thanks very much for any help you can give me.

 

The stock wheel size is 16x7 for any of the 16" factory wheels. The 17" ones are 7.5" wide.

Actually, the 255/70/16 IS the factory size for the 16" wheel.

You can easily go to a 265/75/16 (~31" tall) and the max would be a 285/75/16 (~33" tall) without any modification to the suspension.

Now, even going to the 265 will put your speedo/odo off by some 5%. When I put on the 265's I had to get a new VSS gear with one less tooth to get the speedo/odo (and the trucks shifting characteristics) back in order.

This is an older shot, but this is what the 265/75/16's look like....



Mitch

 

If you are keeping the stock wheels, I'd go with a 285/75-16 (33x11.50).