I've been searching this site and have gotten more confused, so I'm hoping I can get some advise specific to what I want to do with my '97 F150 4x4.
First...will a 16" wheel clear my calipers? What I'm thinking is going with a set of Eagle 187's, 16x8, 11mm offset, 4" backspacing. Mounting either Nitto Terra Grappler 305/70/17 or BFG A/T's in the same size...or maybe TOYO's?
The other question is: would these rub anywhere? I'd appreciate any opinions and/or advise as to what I should do. I originally started looking at 285/17 BFG A/T's for my stock rims but for a "little" more I was thinking I could get new rims AND tires if I went down to 16". Thanks in advance.

 

Yes, 16's will fit. No, you shouldn't have any rubbing, although personally, I'd go with a 16x10 inch wheel with 4.5 inches of backspacing. If you go with 16x10's you will have to trim a little plastic off your front bumper's lower valance for clearance.

 

So you think the 305's will be ok with the 16x10's and a little trimming?

 

Why use a 10" wide rim? Is it just for looks or does it spread the tread of the tire out making it not as tall causing less rubbing?

 

Check out my gallery, I have 16x8's with 285's and I have minor rubbing. My torsion bars are about two-three turns from all the way up though. I just got some new tires, I will post pics as soon as I get them on.

 

dwsf150, it's just a personal preferance based on appearance only.

 

Thanks Wandell, I'm looking at getting tires sometime after the first of the year, just not sure if I should up-grade rims at the same time. I have 285/70R17 tires on factory teardrop rims now and would like to go to 305/70R17. On a 2003 super crew 4x4 would there be any tire rub if the rim size was 17" or 18", 8"-10" wide?

 

Well, a 305/70-17 is basically a 34x12.50 tire. I'd stick with a 305/65-17 (33x12.50). If you stick with a 33x12.50 tire on a 10 inch wide wheel, or narrower (with 4.5 inches of backspacing), it really doesn't matter if the rim is 16, 17, 18 or 24 inches in diamater. If you use a 10 inch wide wheel, you will just have to trim a little plastic off your front bumper's lower valance for clearance. I have some pics of this trimming in my gallary.

 

Thanks Wandell

 

Ya, thanks! Think I'm gonna go with a 10" rim...and 305's!!