Hello all!
I've been searching the forums for info on tire sizes. I'll be buying some new tires this summer, and want something that will "fill the gap" that my stock Goodyear RT/S 265-70R17 seem to leave. Nearly all my driving is city, using my 4x4 for occasional snowy/muddy conditions.
I plan on keeping the stock rims, but want a more aggressive look for the tires. I'd like a taller tire as well.
I've searched the forums a bunch and it seems that there are lots of opinions.

285-70R17, 285-75R17(does that size even exist???), 295-70R17, or 305-70R17 seem to be the fav.'s.

What size/brands do you all like? What will give my truck a little more height?

I'm apologize in advance if I'm asking a question thats been addressed before. Blame it on my noob status!!
Thanks in advance...
DBC
02 S-Crew Lariat FX4

 

I'd go with a quality all terrian tire. Your OEM size works out to be a 32x10.50. I'd recommend the 285/70-17 (33x11.50) BFG AT KO or Toyo Open Country AT or 295/70-17 (34x12.00) Nitto Terra Grappler. All of these are excellent all terrian tires and would work well with your OEM 17x7.5 inch wheels.

 

wandell,
Thanks for the reply. THis noob appreciates it!!! Do you or anyone else have an idea as to average cost for a set? Or where would be a good place to get them? We have a Sam's Club here,and they usually have a good deal on tires.

Thanks again

 

I love the BFG 285/70/17s

 

the 295 70 17 nitto terra grapplers come out to 682.00 on www.discounttiredirect.com with shipping cheaper than I have been able to find any of the other sizes locally.

I work on knighthawks MH-60S the navy version of the blackhawk.

 

I would suggest printing out some online prices and take them to all the local tire dealers. You will probably be shocked at the difference in prices you get on the same tires. My only problem locally is that the local guys used to always try to sell me some cheap brand that they carried at a slightly lower cost than the quality tires I was pricing. Most of them know now that they are wasting their breath. Tires are one of those things that you seem to get what you pay for.

 

wandell,
Great advice! Thanks for replying. Have you or anyone else replaced your stock tires with bigger ones? I noticed in my forum research that some people mention having to readjust the speedometer. I'd prefer to not have to do that if at all possible. I appreciate you and all the others who've replyed to my post. Thanks
DC

 

I replaced my 30 inch tall OEM tires with 33 inch tall tires. My speedo is now off 5 mph at 60 mph. I have not corrected it. I could buy one of the aftermarket computer tuners like the Superchips or Hypertech tuners and correct it. Anytime you change to a different tire height, whether you go taller or shorter, it will affect your speedometer.

 

Hey kanter want to sell your bfg A/T's. You could get yourself some tires that fill out the wheel wells even better.

 

wandell,
I'm thinking I can adjust to a 5 mph change in my speedo. Are you pleased with your tires? Would you mind to send me a picture of your truck so I could look at the tires? I noticed you have a 3" body lift. To totally get off the subject of my own thread, but do they make a 1, 1.5, or 2" suspension lift for our S-crews? What's the big difference. betwen suspension and body lifts?
I apologize for taking my thread in a totally different direction, but, hell, it's MY thread after all! :o)
BTW, thanks again for replying to my posts. It's great to have someone actually give you good information insted of flaming you for asking questions.
DC

 

I have a gallary here. Just do a search for "wandell". I have pics of the tires on my Eagle 102's, on my old 058's and on the OEM wheels. I love the BFG's so much I bought a set for my Jeep.
No one makes a small suspension lift because there is no need for one. The 4x4's use torsion bars up front that allow you to adjust the ride height. A body lift simply lifts the body off the frame by the use of spacers between the two.

 

get ready to spend some money because a larger tire in a 17" wheel is not cheap. I am in the same boat you are looking for a all terrain tire and not having the best of luck. I have searched for about 2 months now and this is what I have come up with: (I have included my opinion, just in case you wanted it)


BFG All Terrain: This is a great tire but expect to pay between $180-$200

Toyo Open Country: Do not have a price, but probably not cheap either. Not aggresive enough for me

Nitto Terra Grappler: I would go with this on, but it only comes in 295/70/17. Looks crammed in the wheel well to me. Maybe not to you though.

Cooper ST: This is the Cooper ST not the SST. I an studying this one alot. It looks nice. Similar to the BFG. Do not have a price on this either. It does not come in 285/70/17, but does come in 275/70/17.

That is really about it for the 17" wheel. This size wheel never really caught on, so Tire manufacuters do not produce a lot of tires for it. Once again these are only my opinions and you should eamine all possibiltys for yourself.

Hope this helps.

 

bonefish,

Thanks for all the great info! It seems you've been doing a lot of research and I thank you for sharing it with me. it's a shame there's not more options regarding tires. I can't see paying a lot for new wheels when I like my stock FX4 ones. I'll check some prices around here as well. If I can find any more info on the Cooper's, I'll be sure to let you know, I know theres a tire shop[ around here that sells them, I just have to remember where I saw it!
If/when you get your new tires, let me know what you got and how you like them. I'll od the same. Thanks again to everyone who repied for all the help.
DBC

 

not a problem hawk.I will post when I finally decide what I am going to do, and what tires I get.

 

I wouldn't worry about that too much...the "new" body style F150's (2004-2005) come stock w/17" wheels. It will only take some time for the tire manufacters to start carrying this size. I mean..how could they NOT carry tires for the #1 selling pickup

Tony