I know im a little early, but Im starting my search for winter tires and rims. Im wondering what a good size would be? I'll be taking my stock 20" rims and Pirelli's off and I would like to replace them with a smaller size wheel/tire. Can I do 18"s? And does anyone know if the bolt pattern from the 09-11 is the same as the 04-08 F-150's?

 

same bolt pattern, 6 x 135

you can do any rim size you want that is 17" or greater. tire size assuming no leveling kit keep it 33" or smaller or a metric equivalent

 

Thanks for the info, I think ill just stick a set off new "take-offs" on my 11, probably 18"!

 

Is the Snow/Ice/Salt going to be a problem for my factory 20" Chrome wheels?

I know aftermarket chrome wheels have issues with that, but typically they are not as high of quality as OEM. Just like OEM Stainless exhaust will not rust, but aftermarket stainless exhaust will.

-ThaChad

 

I run a set of rims I got locally from CL. 265/75-17 in a 10 ply tire with studs. I usually put them on when I am going to tow my sled trailer and then take them off when I won't need them. I got these Generals at Sears last year for $852 studded and mounted, but they are also 10 ply so they may be overkill for what you need. I like the heavier rating for towing as it holds more weight and doesn't get squirrely in the corners.

http://www.generaltire.com/tires/TC5/Winter

I'm not into the fancy stock wheels for everyday use. I picked up some factory take off 17's to run some 10 ply Michelin's for daily use. I'll bolt the factory 18's back up at trade-in time.

 

The OEM 20" wheels will handle the road salt and general winter ***** alot better then a cheap aftermarket wheel, but in time your OEM wheel will begin to "pit" and bubble...

I suggest getting a set of winter rims and tires and save your OEM 20's for the summer!

 

I have some 17" rims off a 05 STX with winter studded Cooper Discoverers on. There was a little bit of rubbing on the caliper but nothing that the minigrinder wouldn't touch up. Truck doesn't look very good with them on but I only run them for 3 - 4 months and they keep me out of trouble.

 

i am going to start looking/calling around myself for some winters, i think i am going to go with 17's just because more selection of tires and better prices

i don't think you are that early because the last few seasons it was hard to find the sizes you wanted and lots of people leave it to the first snowfall then the tire shops seem to sell out quick

what shops do you call ? i only have one that i have delt with before, Jim B @ http://steelcasetires.ca/

 

I think I'll go with a factory set of take-offs in a 18" If I can find them, maybe even a 2007-2008 factory 20" wheel and tire combo, there seems to be alot of them floating around up here...

 

07, stay away from the 05-08 fx4 take-offs. They are the only older gen rims that will not fit. I run bridgestone blizzak dmv-1 285/70/17 on 2010 xlt 17" wheels. Costco sold em last winter. 17" rubber is cheaper...... and the overall tire height is close enough to stock.

 

I thought the 04-08 FX4 ran a 6x135 bolt pattern, same as the 09-11?

 

Same bolt pattern yes, but I read countless reports of new gen owners saying the old gen fx4 wheels wouldn't fit over the 09 + brakes. Apparently the inside diameter of the wheel belly is smaller. Something about the way they were made, and the shape of them. The 17" xlt wheels fit, but the 18" fx4's don't. Didn't make any sense to me, but I trusted the reports, and stayed away from them.

 

Check out tirerack.com. All your answers there.

 

I'm going 18 with blizzak dmv1. Blizzaks are worth the money.

 

Over the years I've had several vehicles with chrome plated steel wheels and I've seen the damage done by wither salts. I've seen it with chrome slotted wheels, Cragar SS mags, Keystones, old school Chrome Reverse wheels, etc.

Something I have done in the past with good results was cleaning them squeaky clean, no wax ..... but taping around the rim where the center joined and spraying the rim part where water and road salts lay with "NAPA Ignition Sealer". It's a clear sort of hard coating for distributtor caps and plug wires and stuff, it acts like a thin bodied clear laquer, dries fast, and when detailing is easy to simply wipe off with laquer thinner on a wrag.

Just a thought?