I have a 97 F150 Offroad 4X4 with the 7.5 in. wide 17 in. rims. I just put a Rough Country add a leaf in the back and cranked up the front. I got a couple of inches for $50. Looking to get Cooper Discoverer STT's, the 285-70 R17's but I was wondering if the 33 or 35-12.50's would fit those stock rims. The 33's are actually a hair shorter than the 285's but an inch or so wider. Coopers charts say the 12.50's are for 8.5in wide rims and up. Any thoughts?

 

Yes, you can fit the 35x12.50's by using the OEM wheels. Usually running a tire on too narrow a wheel can cause the center portion of the tire's tread to wear slightly faster than normal, similar to running too much air pressure. However, several members here and at FTW have run 35x12.50's on OEM 7.5 inch wheels for thousands of miles with no problems.

 

So which would last longer, look better or would I be happier with? The 285-70R17's or the 33-12.50r17's. $805 for 285's, $845 for 33's and $975 for 35's. The specs. say that the 285's are 1/4 taller, 1 in. narrower.

 

Either 33 will look fine. If you plan on going to a wider wheel in the future, I'd get the 33x12.50's. I would stick with them or the 285's unless you plan on a lift kit in the near future.