97 F-150.... opinions?
 

Yep, I'm new, so howdy:thumbsup:

I gotta stock 97 F-150 4x4 that I wanna upsize my tires on. I have 255/70/R16's now.

Talkin with a few tire dealers in the area, they said the biggest I could go without any modification was 265/70/R16's. That ain't nuttin.... and after readin some posts on this forum, I'm sure I could go bigger.
One of the dealers said that if I go bigger than that, then I would have to have a ford dealer re-adjust my abs. I don't think I'd have to do that either. These guys just go off of what is in their handbooks more or less. I'd like to go to 285/75/R16's or bigger if possible. My problem might be in rim width though. Will these tires fit on a rim that is only 7-1/2" wide like all stock 16" ford rims are in that year? I read on another post that someone had these size tires on their 97 with 16" rims. I wanna go as big as I can without rubbin and without a lift and I wanna be as safe as I can with the width I have to deal with.

I don't see why 285/70 wouldn't fit, but I'm not sure if there would be any rubbing with 285/75R16. Take a look at Tirerack's site. Any tire you choose, look at the specs page. It gives the recommended rim width for each tire size.

Thanks, I checked it out. What's the difference between the measured rim width column and the rim width range? The rim width range for 285/75/R16's were 7.5-9". Since my rim is 7.5, it should work on the rim, right? The measured rim width colum said 8" though. The diameter was 33". If it fits on my rim, anyone else know where I can find out if it will rub or not?

GQQSE,

I had a '97 f-150 4x4 and put 275-70 16's on it with no clearance problems at all. The tire shop said if I wanted to they could get some 285's and they were certain those would fit also. The guy I sold it to was going to put the 285's on once he wore down the 275's.

Cool... that helps. So, I could at least put 285/70/16's on it. The diameter on those are around 31-1/2" I think. The 285/75/16's are 33 inchers..... wonder if those would fit?

I did a quick search for you and found this thread, see if it addresses your questions about the 33 inchers.:D

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...size+and+chart
:beers:

Hi there! I have a 1997 Lariat 4X4 and originally it hafd 255/80/16's on it. I have the alluminium rims though and they are 8 inches wide (stock on my truck) I went to a 285/75/16 BFG AT KO and they are awesome.. Its been about a year, and they have never rubbed even in some sticky situations. The improvement in traction is worth it. I corrected my speedo for $12 and the ABS is fine. Hope this helps.....Let me know if you have more Q's

These are 265/75/16's and there is pleanty of room for 285/75/16's. I have the steel 7" wheels, and they will work up to the 285. A 285/75/16 will even fit on the spare tire holder I've read as well.

Watch your gear ratio however. A 3.55 will just make it with a 33" tall tire and not bog you down too much. You won't be able to tow as much.

I tow, so I got the 265's because they are only 31" tall, but much better handling and looking then the stock 29".....

Thanks for the comments guys... Mandrake.... I also have the aluminum rims on my truck, and the goodyear dealer told me that they we're 7.5" wide? You said yours are 8" wide? I guess it really don't matter, I'm pretty sure the 285/75's have a minimum range of 7.5"

Yeah Goose.....You can easily check what came with your truck by looking in the driver side door. On that sticker it will tell you what the original tire and rim size was on your truck. I'm not sure why mine would be different from yours. I have a Canadian built Lariat....maybe there are different options. I have the six spoke alluminium rims....8" wide

eek! just looked, and they are aluminum 16x7's. the minimum range for the 285/75/16's are 7.5". Should I be thinkin about some different sizes or will these thangs still fit on safely?

i am currently running 285/75/R16 's on my '97 4X4 with no problems at all. ive ever heard of some people putting 305's on without rubbing but i beleive they have the off road package. i hope this could be of some help.

Cool, but are your rims 16x7?

yeah they are the stock 16x7 rims

Sweet.... that's prolly what I'll go with now.... gonna go check some out int 15 minutes.... thanks:thumbsup: