I currently have a 98 XLT with the 16" rims with 235/70/16 tires. I am looking to add the AR Atlas 17" rims and was wondering what size tire I could put on the rims to keep the circumfrence(I hope thats spelled right) so I don't have to add anything else to keep the speedometer in sync.

Thanks

Randy

 

The following (theoretical) sizes would all be within 1/10" of your present 28.95" dia.

235/65-17 29.03" dia.
255/60-17 29.04" dia.
275/55-17 28.91" dia.
305/50-17 29.00" dia.
335/45-17 28.87" dia.

Unfortunately, most of these sizes don't exist or exist in just 1 or 2 brands.

If you're willing to go up to a 30" dia (same as the optional 255/35-16s) these would all be close:

255/65-17 30.05" dia.
275/60-17 29.99" dia.
305/55-17 30.21" dia
335/50-17 30.19" dia.

Check the tire manufacturers web sites or use the "search by size" feature at www.tirerack.com .

good luck

[This message has been edited by StrangeRanger (edited 07-05-1999).]

 

forgeur: I have the 275/60/17's and at 70 the speedo is only off about 4mph. I had the same factory size that you do. Hope this helps.

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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.

 

forgeur, I just brought the atlas 17" last week and the Firestone put in the Bridgestone HL 265/70/16 kind of tall for the truck, I'm ready to take the 265 back and get the 275/60/17 instead. The wheel is awesome looking except for the stupid wheel weights. let me know what you're going to do,
Because I'm not finish with my wheel and tire set up yet. steve

 

MIF-150, I think we are going in opposite directions with the setup of our trucks, in addition to upgrading the tires and rims, I am planning on putting a belltech 2"/4" lowering kit on my truck. I am looking for the tires to be a low profile and wide for added handling. Also, Frank F, how much of a diffrence did adding the sway bar make in handling? I am not a big horsepower freak, but I really like my vehicles to handle like it's on rails...

Thanks

Randy

 

The sway bar made a big difference to me especially when cornering really hard. Try www.jcwhitneyusa.com They had them for $108 last time I checked(cheapest I've seen them.)

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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.

 

A bigger sway bar will help you corner flat.
The larger the diameter the better the handling. Some years ago, I swapped the stock front sway bar on my Alfa (only about .75 inch diameter) with a 2.5 inch diameter!

The difference was UNBELIEVABLE!!! Tight 90 degree turns at 70MPH - without body lean. That was the closet thing to "like it's on rails..." I've ever experienced

I saw a formula that had the sway-bar diameter as a variable but I don't remember where I saw it (or what it showed). Basically, you want to find the LARGEST diameter sway-bar that'll fit.

Good luck and good cornering! (I'm trying to convince my wife to lower her truck - so far no luck. )

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
* * * Non-Leaking Sliding Window * * *
http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html