I have a F250 LD xtd cab 6' bed 4x4. My question is, can I take out the 7 lug axles, yes 7 lugs, and replace them with the 5 lug pattern, so I have more wheel choices for the truck?

 

Your a lucky guy, because you have a 250 LD, you have a 10.25 rear axle. One of the toughest most heavy-duty rear axles you can get on any half-ton truck. I would rather have that than more wheel choices, take your wheels in and get them chromed. You also have a heavy-duty frame, bigger brakes, stiffer torsion bars and taller gears, all of which are good things, just my 2 cents.

 

Thank you,, I have 99' F250LD that I ordered from factory, picked the rims (chrome) and each feature. And I don't hear many good comments on the forum. I've had it 6.5 years and still love it. 40k I kind of like looking at other trucks looking for the 7-lug. But it's good we all don't like the same things.........

 

Thanks, I feel better about the 7 lug now. I didn't know it was more heavy duty. Some people told me it was just like a 150.
The frame,brakes, torsion bars,are really more heavy duty?? Thats great.
So its not like an expedition, like i was told also.
I have 3:73 gears, LS, 5.4 , and I really like the truck. I was just deciding if I was going to invest in a lift and tires and all that.
If I go to a 17" wheel I do have more choices of rims. My rims are chrome and in good shape, 16x7, and they are steel which are stronger also.
Thanks guys.

 

Oh yeah. Just wondering if the axle swap was possible anyway. Or like since the 7 lug is stronger, is the diameters a problem?

 

I don't know if you can use the same rims, I think so, but... The new model F-150, one version, has seven lug rims. That one also has the 10.25 rear. There may be some rims for that that will fit your truck...
This is not to confuse it with the vast majority of F150 new model that have the new 6 lug rims, and 9.75 or 8.8 rear ends.
My thought was if the seven lug on the 10.25 was the same as your you could nab the factory rims, slightly upscale from the F250.
Again, just a thought.
Chris

 

The new model F-150 with 7-lug wheels and 10.25 axle is the same as the 97-03 moldes the wheels should fit.

 

Umm, wrong.

The new F-150 is a 6-lug pattern, not a 7-lug.

Is it possible to swap the axles? Sure. But I wouldn't want to.... the Sterling axle is much stronger than either of your other bolt-on choices. (i.e. the 8.8 or 9.75)

You could probably have a set of custom axle shafts made (for a pretty penny) and swap out the front hubs for a 5-lug, but if you went through all that trouble, why not just get a light-duty F-150? It'd be cheaper, for sure....

Just don;t see the logic in it myself.

-Joe

 

Sorry to differ with you, but the new body style is available with 7-lug wheels, its part of the heavy-duty payload. Go to the ford site and you can build you're own f150. The heavy-duty payload has 7-lug wheels, while the normal duty has the 6-lug wheels.

 

The new F-150's can still be purchased with the equivalent of a 250 LD/7700 Group. It is now called It is now called a "Heavy Duty Payload Package" and costs $1200. The new 17" 7-lug Steel Wheels would bolt right up to the 97-03 truck I bet.

(Heavy Duty Payload Package- 2x4 model Per Ford Website)
- 50 Emissions System
- 4.10 Non-Limited Slip Axle Ratio
- 17" 7-lug Steel Wheels
- 8200 lbs GVWR
- LT245/70x17D BSW All-Terrain (5)-(General)
- 3060 lbs Maximum Payload
- Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, Frame and 72 Amp Battery
- Upgrade Springs, Radiator, and Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
- 10.25" Gear Set with 4.10 Axle

 

My bad... I stand corrected.

It's still the 10.25 axle, though, and it still doesn't get him to the 5-lug pattern he was asking about. So, yes, if the bolt pattern of the new 7-lug wheels is the same, then they may work.

-Joe

 

I've seen a couple of new aftermarket 7-lug rims sets on E-bay. These were alum, none listed now so there are some out there.

 

Thanks guys. Can't wait to check out the newer rims. There may be hope yet!!! LOL. Great info. So the 7 lugs mean I have the 10.25 rear? It does look big. But the front is still the 8.8 right? Thats what it says anyway.
Thanks again.