For those of you with 285's on stock height trucks (it would really help if anyone has a non-orp like me). Do the tires rub under full flex or slight flew and turning? Second from the looks of it right now I would have to trim about 1/2 inch off my airdam and maybe a shade off the fender wheel liner. Would cranking my torsion bars solve both these problems completly? Either way it's still going to be done. Thanks a million for your help.

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97 Ford F150 XLT 4x4 4.6L auto, Std cab/Long bed, 3.55LS rear axle, PW,PL, and PM, captian chairs w/arm rests
Sylvania Cool Blue Bulbs, Ford logo hitch and license plate, tinted windows, blackouts front and rear(w/ford logos on front blackouts),ventvisors all around, painted logos on door sills and under hood, 55w backup lights, K&N Filter, custom 4x4 emblems, cup holder/LED mod, 99 F150 Triton V8 emblems, and much more to come

 

Pretty sure you won't have to trim to get 285s in there. Ask powerstroke73 hes got them on his rig. ('97 S/C short box). gonna puts some 33s on my truck no lift so I hope they fit well. All my research has said they will.

Jimmar

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The Vitals

• 2001.5 SuperCrew XLT 4X4 (Gen III) 5.4L V8
• Silver Clearcoat Metallic With Deep Wedgewood Blue (accent)
• Chrome Tubular Step Bars (Ford)
• Captains Chairs
• Power Moonroof
• 3.55 LS
• Class III Towing Package (radiator, what radiator? I can't even see it)

The Mods

• WMS Velocity Tube
• Harley Davidson Exhaust
• '01 Lightning Head/Tail Lamps
• Boston Acoustic Components & 5X7s
• Duraliner, Splashguards, Bug Defector

Future Plans

 

I dont have the ORP, and when my truck wasnt lifted i fit 285s fine...without any rubbing at all...i didnt offroad as much back then, but i do remember that i took it offroad a couple times and was never a problem, so i'd say go for the 285s, no big deal...305s might rub though, if not, they might offroad...anyways, hope this helps...

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-Brandon Warford
97 F150 4x4 Sport Brt. Red SuperCab
4.6l Triton V8
3.55LS Rear-end
MECHANICAL MODS:
Custom Alum. Skidplate
3" Performance Acc. Body Lift & lift lips
1-1.5" torsion bar
Fabtech 4" Blocks to replace stock
Clear Corner Lenses
315/75R16 Yoko. Geolander MTs
American Racing Atlas 16x10
True Dual Exhaust
--(2) 3 Chamber Flowmasters (Exits like the Lightning)
FUN MODS:
Pioneer 8000 3D series
Boston Acoustic 5x7s
Sony Xplode 4ch Amp
(2) 8" RF XLC Subs
Custom 4x4 Sticker
Viper Alarm
FUTURE MODS:
4.56 gears
Repaint around Headlights where clearcoat is coming off >=(
Fix ding in tailgate
New pinstripe
Heckethorn or Rancho Steering Stabilizer
Rancho RS9000 Shocks & Control System
Thats about it for now!
Check out my NEW WEBSITE:
****BigBadRed's Website****
Killintime4fun@aol.com
"F-150: The other woman!"

"...the road curves to the right and there are a lot of signs that say you cannot turn left...TURN LEFT."

 

You can fit a 305/70r16 on a 4x4 with no rub, a budy of mine has that on his truck. No problems when we go offroad. I fit 285's stock and I have a 4x2. Hope this gives you the picture: get the 285's they will be perfect, and if you want a wider tire, get 305's.

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2000 Silver F-150 XL Sport
Reg. Cab, Reg. Bed, 4.2L V6, 5-speed, 4x2

mods:
Tailgate lock, Generic bedliner
285/75r16 BFG AT ko (32.9x11.4)
Sony CD player, Blaunpunkt 5.25" speakers
McGuard Wheel locks
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Never let your schooling interfere with your education --Mark Twain

 

The 285s fit perfect on my truck. With the stock rims if you try and squeeze a 305 on there I think you would run into some rubbing issues. With the front I don't have to worry about them rubbing under articulation (because not too much there) but the rear the tires tuck inside the fender really nice. I have about 1" to spare. I had 0 problems with them when I took it offroad.

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1997 F-150 Lariat
Ext Cab Short Box
4x4 Off Road Package
3.55 Gears
285/75 R16 Kelly Springfield Trailcutter RTs



My 2 cents worth

If you're gonna stroke it, POWERSTROKE IT!!!

http://www.powerstroke73.homestead.com/

 

Well, I went all out today and got my new tires and wheels. Got 285.7516's on 16x8 American Racing Baja's. Fit almost perfect, no metal contact, had to trim 1/2 inch off mud flap and 1 inch off inner fender well liner on pass. side. I think the only reason I had to trim on the liner was becasue mine was bowed out from the stock position a little. Place where I got them at where great. They test fitted the first one and let me look at it, they then went ahead and put all four on and let me take it for a small drive. I took it to a parking lot beside the store and drove up on the curb to flex the suspension a little. No problems what so ever. I did have a few problems on the way home. Got on the interstate and I don't know what happened (might have hit something in road, didn't see it) but I had a loud thump sound. That was before I trimmed the liner, so it could of been that. Then about 10 miles later I had a loud thump from the driver side front. I could of swore I had 3 wheel weights on that front tire but now I only see two. DO you feel any steering wheel shaking with your 285's? Mine has a slight vibration, think I will have them rebalance them when I go back for my free alignment next week. Also, need to get 5 of my orginal lug nuts back for my spare. But man I've gotta say these things look great. Sorry so long winded, but I'm happy. I'll get some pics soon.

 

I have 16's on my truck and want to go to 285's next will i lose any power with the 3.08 gears??? and if i do how much, as always thanks in advance for any info...

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1997 F-150 XLT 4.6 shortbed REGULAR CAB, FLARESIDE CLEARCOAT GREEN 5-SPEED. WESTIN NERF BARS, POWER EVERYTHING,BUG SHIELD, EX-TANG SOFT COVER, BED LINER(FORD).

Better 1/2 : 92 Red T-Bird V-6 3.8. maint.free 113,500 miles

 

KYFordFreak-

Wise decision on the 285's. I'd say that is exactly what the noise was you heard. Since you say there is now a vibration involved too. Doesn't take much to get those big wheels out of balance.

buckdropper-

I noticed a difference just going to 265's with a 3.55 gear. I'm thinking of 285's next time, but I feel that would be pushing a 3.55 just a tad too much. I plan on towing and hauling more in the future, so really need to keep that gear ratio within reason. That 3.08 will really bog you down....

 

Buckdropper I have 3.55s with my 285s and its not bad going from a 255 to the 285. But in your case with 3.08s you will be hurting with 285s.

 

Damm i knew it, thats to bad they would have looked great damm

 

It's like MitchF150 said 285's on a 3.55 gear is pushing it, no way I do it with a 3.08 gear. I guess I like having the add umph under my foot cause I'm going tomorrow to trade the 285's in on a set of 265's. Which will still do me just fine (only a true 1 1/4 difference). Considering I do all types of driving and like the added get up and go when I need it. I use to drive 100+ miles a day, now i"m down to around 40-50. With the 285's the power is not there. Once you get moving they seem to roll right along. Where I live even the interstates are sort of hilly and everytime I get on an incline the tranny shifts up and down. I have the 3.55 gear so that was a little help but I wasn't planning on changing gears just to run the bigger tires (wish I had the 3.73's). Second with the rims I got the tire shop could bear to see nasty wheel weights on the outside, so in turn they can't balance them very well. Heck they were barly able to balance them at all.
It was a mistake on my part to go that big. Don't get me wrong I love the tires, they look killer on the truck (got pics just need to post them). I'm just glad the place I bought at has a 30 day test drive policy. My moral is think of what you really need vs what you want. Belive me it will save you in the long run. If I ever get a second vehicle or move within a few miles of work I would switch back in a heartbeat, unless someone sees it in their heart to spare about 500 to get me a new gear, jk, LOL. Everyone take care.

 

Actually when I went from 265s to my 285s I didn't notice THAT big of a difference. I can definetly tell that there is a difference but it didn't seem like it was bad enough to go back to 265s. I only drive 60 some miles a day and I don't want to give up the look of the 285s.

 

I drive 57 miles each way each day and 285's appear not ot be the way to go. I get around 20.5-1-21.5 miles to a gallon and don't want to take away from that. I will stay with the 265's and not get the great looks of the 285's and a full wheel well, lifes a bitch (sob) sometime you know??