This is probably going to be a worthless rant since my questions are mostly rhetorical. Anyway, who's the boob at Ford that decided to put 255/70/17 factory tires on my F-150 4x4. Not only are they the cheapest tire available from General but they're passenger car tires NOT light truck. IMO they are to squishy to haul anything at the rated pressure, they really hinder the true cornering capability of the truck, they pretty much suck in the snow and they look like they should be on Granny's car instead of a big 4x4. On top of that they must be a bastard size because the only replacements I can find in that size are the same crap from General. I wanted to stay with the stock size but it looks like I will have to go up to a 265/70/17 to get a LT tire. I can't wait till these Generals are shot so I can slap on some BFG A/Ts. I'd do it now accept the new tires cost a ton because of the 17" rims- thanks again Ford!

Other than that I love my truck so far, I just wish the engineers at Ford would outfit them at the factory so they are usable as a truck and not a ladies grocery hauler.

O.K., now I feel a little better. Just had to get it off my chest since I have been brewing about since sliding my way to work this morning. Thanks for letting me waste your time with this.

 

those will wear out pretty quick man dont worry..id go with some tires in the 33 inch range especially since its a 4x4. bridgestone duelers at are very good tires.

 

You think you have it bad, the ones for the 17 inch rim are dirt cheap compared to the ones for 18 inch rims, Try this out for size, I spent 325 dollars a tire for some 305/65/18 BFG AT's, I almost thought about buying some 17 inch rims because it would be worth it in the long run, the guy told me that tires for 18 inch rims always cost 400 to 500 hundred more, so I would consider yourself lucky that you have the 17's. But can not stress to you enough how good of a tire the BGF AT's are though, so if u are going to get new ones I recommend those.

 

I also have the 255/70/17 cheap tires on my 05 4x4 F150 and am waiting for them wear out. I want to get larger tires but am not sure I want to get the front leveling kit. Do you know if 275/70/17 will fit without needing a leveling kit on the front? I'm not sure I want to as wide as a 285.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=8866

 

According to the tire calculator 275/70/17 would be 1.1 inches taller and .8 inches wider than stock. I don't know but would like to think we have enough clearance for those to fit. You could go with 265/70/17, they are 1/2" bigger both ways than stock and have a lot more style options.

Smitty, yes I am glad I don't have 18s or worse 20s. I have had the BFG A/Ts on my old truck and they are great tires but BFG sure is proud of them!

 

I had the same size and swapped them out for the 325-60-18 as soon as I got the money. My new tires werent that much better going up a hill this morning in 2 wheel drive. I spun all the way up.

 

If you have a 4x4 you can fit 285/70/17 with no problem or leveling kit, My truck is 05 screw lariat 4x4 and it came stock with 275/65/18 (32x10.8) the 285 is only 11.2 wide or 11.5 and 32.7 inches tall, so that tire is not much bigger than my stock ones, so you will be fine, Only reason I would would get the leveling kit is iff you wanted 33's on after market rims or 34,35's on stock rims. You should be just fine with the 285's I know their is several members here that run the 285's with out the leveling kits. Hope this helps

 

You're upset with 255 while my truck skulks around with the stock 235s that came with it

 

I totaly agree the generals are total crap! I am working on replacing mine right now and they only have 22000 miles on them (half tread) but I live in michigan with snow and you think they sick on dry or wet roads. Look at teh bridgstone deuller AT Revos. Make sure they are Revos the regular deulers are nowhere near the same tire. I have them on my old truck and they rock. according to tire rack they have slightly better performance than the BFGs but I think they are both good tires. Generals belong on a lincoln and nothing else.( and they are lausy at that)

 

I agree with your rant, so it wasn't for nothing. I also have an 05 4x4 and absolutely HATED the stock tires. I was all for going larger when they wore out. Luckily (or unluckily as you may see it), I hit a nice chunk of concrete that was in the middle of the highway early one morning. Popped something in the sidewall--had a big bubble. Bad part was, only 265's were readily available at the nearest shop. Bought two and put them on the back, then a month later, two more for the front (they all have to match, right?).

Anyway, now I can't wait for these to wear out so I can go bigger (these still look too small for a 4X4)! I finally decided that the perfect size for me as a compromise between what I want (large) and what I need (gas mileage) would be the 285-70-17.

 

Yes i believe they have to be the same size if you want to use your 4x4 and not tear up your diff or transfer case. Same goes for side to side so dont drive with the stock spare for too long.