Have a 2003 F150 XLT SuperCrewCab model with 17 inch tires. Am running 245/70 R17 tires now. Want a second set of wheels and can get a 16 inch set to put on 245/75 R16 studded winter snow tires.


Will I lose any ground clearance going this way?


If so I can keep looking for a 17 inch set and put on a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV tires on it in 245/70 R16 size. Non studded but excellent snow and ice tires for our North Dakota winters. In many ways preferrable to studded tires these days.


Am finding it difficult locating used sets of wheels for the 5 spoke pattern. Don't want to buy new, just a set to switch out for winter and then the other set for summer and warm weather use. Basically six months use per set. On my older GMC I would ge 3-5 years out of sets this way. Not bad considering our gravel and dirt roads and hard packed ice much of the winter.


Any performance difference with 17 or 16 inch wheels as long as the tire height is pretty close?

 

Tire Rack lists all the dimensions for each size on most of the tires they sell. Check there. If the tire height is the same as the tire you are running now the truck PCM won't know the difference.

 

You won't lose any ground clearance, the tire size you've chosen for a 16" wheel has the same overall diameter as the one you have on the 17" wheel.

 

As long as the tire height is the same height, then you will not get bigger or smaller. The wheel just determines how much sidewall you have, not how much ground clearance you have.