16" or 17"?
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Registered User
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: San Dimas, Ca
16" or 17"?
Can somebody give me the pros and cons on 16 and 17 inch tires for street use? I've heard that the bigger and wider the tire, the better, as far as handling. True? I ordered my F150 with P235R70 16's (My dealer said I couldn't order the 17's withoug ordering the Sports Package which I didn't want). If I want to upgrade them, is it better to just go wider, or should I replace the wheels and go completely up to 17", or even 18? If you change your wheel size, does that impact your gear ratio and your speedo/odo readings? Finally (I hope they don't charge me extra for asking too many questions), will wider and/or taller tires handle better in snow as far as better traction is concerned (this a 4x2 with LS)?
Pete
Pete
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Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Oklahoma City
As long as the overall wheel diameter remains the same you should be OK
These things that you ask have been discussed to great length in both "wheels and tires" forums.
Don't ask why but yes there are 2 forums labeled "wheels and tires"
These things that you ask have been discussed to great length in both "wheels and tires" forums.
Don't ask why but yes there are 2 forums labeled "wheels and tires"
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 26
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From: San Dimas, Ca
I checked the other wheels and tire forum 54RegCab, and I couldn't find any threads dealing with the pros and cons of 16" and 17" inch tires. Besides, it doesn't hurt to get as many opinions as possible, so I would appreciate any input anyone has on this issue.
Pete
Pete
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Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 1,327
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From: OK
Opinion? I'm full of it (you can decide what IT is).
Generally, tall tires (those with a big sidewall) give a smoother ride, but do not handle very well in a performance environment. The tall sidewall will flex and possibly even break the seal at the tire/rim junction. Not good when trying to corner at 75mph.
Narrow sidewalls resist flexing thereby provide better handling in corners. But, the ride is noticeably more harsh. There's just not enough rubber to soak up the bigger bumps. Notice the new "sports cars" have really thin sidewall tires on really huge rims. It's not just for appearance.
Wide tires put more rubber on the pavement which gives better traction in a DRY setting but can/do hydroplane like crazy on water or ice. The vehicle's weight is distributed over a larger area- effectively reducing the ability to "push" water out of the contact zone. Wide tires up front can be a significant hazard when hitting puddles at high speed.
You must be aware that any changes to the OVERALL diameter of the tire & wheel combination will impact BOTH your effective gearing and speedometer accuracy.
A smaller tire & wheel combo will make your speedo read fast (say 70 when you are really doing 65) and make it seem like you have lower gears. This is good for towing.
Conversely, a larger tire & wheel combo will make your speedo read fast (say 65 when you are really doing 70) and make it seem like you have higher gears. Some say this helps fuel mileage. I say "maybe". Personally, I've never seen an improvement.
Finally (you thought it'd never end), tires for 17" wheels, regardless of size, are still somewhat hard to find. Tires for 16" rims are much more common and there are a lot of different sizes. For an 18" rim, you're probably only going to find narrow sidewall (performance handling) tires. Be sure to consult your tire dealer for the best tire/wheel combo for your particular needs.
Neal
Generally, tall tires (those with a big sidewall) give a smoother ride, but do not handle very well in a performance environment. The tall sidewall will flex and possibly even break the seal at the tire/rim junction. Not good when trying to corner at 75mph.
Narrow sidewalls resist flexing thereby provide better handling in corners. But, the ride is noticeably more harsh. There's just not enough rubber to soak up the bigger bumps. Notice the new "sports cars" have really thin sidewall tires on really huge rims. It's not just for appearance.
Wide tires put more rubber on the pavement which gives better traction in a DRY setting but can/do hydroplane like crazy on water or ice. The vehicle's weight is distributed over a larger area- effectively reducing the ability to "push" water out of the contact zone. Wide tires up front can be a significant hazard when hitting puddles at high speed.
You must be aware that any changes to the OVERALL diameter of the tire & wheel combination will impact BOTH your effective gearing and speedometer accuracy.
A smaller tire & wheel combo will make your speedo read fast (say 70 when you are really doing 65) and make it seem like you have lower gears. This is good for towing.
Conversely, a larger tire & wheel combo will make your speedo read fast (say 65 when you are really doing 70) and make it seem like you have higher gears. Some say this helps fuel mileage. I say "maybe". Personally, I've never seen an improvement.
Finally (you thought it'd never end), tires for 17" wheels, regardless of size, are still somewhat hard to find. Tires for 16" rims are much more common and there are a lot of different sizes. For an 18" rim, you're probably only going to find narrow sidewall (performance handling) tires. Be sure to consult your tire dealer for the best tire/wheel combo for your particular needs.
Neal
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 62
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From: California, USA
Pete Matulavich -
Read everything that NOMO wrote in his post again because he is right on the money. If you work at it a little like I did, you can find a tire/wheel combination that will keep the overall diameter of the wheel the same as your stock setup. This of course assumes that you are NOT installing really huge tires on a 4x4 or something like that. I went to a 17" rim and installed a 275-60 series tire. This setup is up from 16" and 255-70's. The overall diameter of the new setup is about a 1/4" larger than stock. I saw no apparent difference in my speedo or gear ratio.
As far as 16" tires being easier to find, this is probably true but then I look at this way. I know when I'm going to need tires so I will be able to take my time getting them lined up. Also, I expect that it will be at least a couple of years before I need to buy another set of tires and by then, I'm positive there will be many more tire makers with 17" tires. If an emergency comes up, My spare will go on the truck (remember, it the same diameter) until I get a new tire ordered.
Wider tires will hydroplane more readily than a narrow tire. I don't really consider this to be a problem myself. When its raining, I feel I should back off the gas pedal and drive more attentively anyway. Be aware that some tires are a little better at pushing the water out of the way. Tires with a more open tread design will do a better job of it. The Goodyears I installed have an open tread design and do a good job with the water. Beleive me, I put them to the test the first chance I got on the wet pavement. I wanted to know what to expect when I did encounter puddles in the road.
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Black '97, SC with 4.6, 3.55 gears, automatic, 2-4 Belltech drop kit, SnugTop fiberglass lid, 3 chamber Flowmaster muffler, billet bumper grill, fog lights, American Racing 17x8 wheels with 275-60 Goodyear Eagle GT II tires.
[This message has been edited by Mr.Wizard (edited 10-06-1999).]
[This message has been edited by Mr.Wizard (edited 10-06-1999).]
Read everything that NOMO wrote in his post again because he is right on the money. If you work at it a little like I did, you can find a tire/wheel combination that will keep the overall diameter of the wheel the same as your stock setup. This of course assumes that you are NOT installing really huge tires on a 4x4 or something like that. I went to a 17" rim and installed a 275-60 series tire. This setup is up from 16" and 255-70's. The overall diameter of the new setup is about a 1/4" larger than stock. I saw no apparent difference in my speedo or gear ratio.
As far as 16" tires being easier to find, this is probably true but then I look at this way. I know when I'm going to need tires so I will be able to take my time getting them lined up. Also, I expect that it will be at least a couple of years before I need to buy another set of tires and by then, I'm positive there will be many more tire makers with 17" tires. If an emergency comes up, My spare will go on the truck (remember, it the same diameter) until I get a new tire ordered.
Wider tires will hydroplane more readily than a narrow tire. I don't really consider this to be a problem myself. When its raining, I feel I should back off the gas pedal and drive more attentively anyway. Be aware that some tires are a little better at pushing the water out of the way. Tires with a more open tread design will do a better job of it. The Goodyears I installed have an open tread design and do a good job with the water. Beleive me, I put them to the test the first chance I got on the wet pavement. I wanted to know what to expect when I did encounter puddles in the road.
------------------
Black '97, SC with 4.6, 3.55 gears, automatic, 2-4 Belltech drop kit, SnugTop fiberglass lid, 3 chamber Flowmaster muffler, billet bumper grill, fog lights, American Racing 17x8 wheels with 275-60 Goodyear Eagle GT II tires.
[This message has been edited by Mr.Wizard (edited 10-06-1999).]
[This message has been edited by Mr.Wizard (edited 10-06-1999).]
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From: California, USA
StrangeRanger -
A picture is worth as thousand words so the included link will take you to another post I wrote in the suspension area. There is a picture of my truck so you can see what it looks like. Take note of the actual drop I got from the Bellteck kit.
I'm pretty sure that if you used the 17x9 inch wheels, you would have clearance problems. It depends on the wheel's offset. In my case, the hub of the wheel is right in the center of the 8" wide rim (zero offset). If I were to install a 9" wide rim with zero offset, the tire would move 1/2" to the inside AND the outside. This would give me less clearance than I have now. If I were to compress my rear springs right now enough to push the fender down over the side wall of the tire, it will hit the side of the tire. Granted, in order for me to do this, I would really have to load the bed of the truck. At this time, I have NEVER hit the sides of my tires and I don't think I ever will. Keep in mind that a wheel with positive offset will move the tire more toward the outside of the truck which means even less fender/sidewall clearance.
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000193.html
The bottom line here is that if you use the 17x9 wheels, you probably won't hit the tires under noraml driving conditions. However, if you really compress the rear springs, LOOK OUT! I think the same is true for the front end as well. I hope all this makes sense and it helps with your decision.
------------------
Black '97, SC with 4.6, 3.55 gears, automatic, 2-4 Belltech drop kit, SnugTop fiberglass lid, 3 chamber Flowmaster muffler, billet bumper grill, fog lights, American Racing 17x8 wheels with 275-60 Goodyear Eagle GT II tires.
[This message has been edited by Mr.Wizard (edited 10-07-1999).]
A picture is worth as thousand words so the included link will take you to another post I wrote in the suspension area. There is a picture of my truck so you can see what it looks like. Take note of the actual drop I got from the Bellteck kit.
I'm pretty sure that if you used the 17x9 inch wheels, you would have clearance problems. It depends on the wheel's offset. In my case, the hub of the wheel is right in the center of the 8" wide rim (zero offset). If I were to install a 9" wide rim with zero offset, the tire would move 1/2" to the inside AND the outside. This would give me less clearance than I have now. If I were to compress my rear springs right now enough to push the fender down over the side wall of the tire, it will hit the side of the tire. Granted, in order for me to do this, I would really have to load the bed of the truck. At this time, I have NEVER hit the sides of my tires and I don't think I ever will. Keep in mind that a wheel with positive offset will move the tire more toward the outside of the truck which means even less fender/sidewall clearance.
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000193.html
The bottom line here is that if you use the 17x9 wheels, you probably won't hit the tires under noraml driving conditions. However, if you really compress the rear springs, LOOK OUT! I think the same is true for the front end as well. I hope all this makes sense and it helps with your decision.
------------------
Black '97, SC with 4.6, 3.55 gears, automatic, 2-4 Belltech drop kit, SnugTop fiberglass lid, 3 chamber Flowmaster muffler, billet bumper grill, fog lights, American Racing 17x8 wheels with 275-60 Goodyear Eagle GT II tires.
[This message has been edited by Mr.Wizard (edited 10-07-1999).]