Ok, reading around on these threads I am getting concerned about upgrading my 16" wheels to the cast aluminum 17 wheels. Can someone explain what the dealer will have to replace\adjust\modify to my truck so that my transmissions is not shifting alot, my speedo is not messed up, my odometer is not off, the rear end is not right, the rpm is not wrong....you get the point. I am buying a brand new 2002 XLT 4X4(3.55 Lim.slip diff) SuperCab but am not getting the offroad package(they have chaged it for 2002) which includes the 17" wheels. I am ordering 2001 17" cast aluminum wheels as a separate item and will have them install them when the truck arrives. I am worried now that the dealer will not be able to make the necessary changes so that my brand new $30K truck will be dissapointing....can someone help me out here???? I am not feeling confident.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

just curious, why would you want the 17" wheels? They aren't much better for handling, they aren't better off-road (which Im stupified as to why they are included in the off-road package) and the replacement tires will cost you an extra $30-40 per tire just because of the rim size. I'm swapping my 17"s for 16"s within a few weeks. I've already got my replacement wheels, just waiting for my new tires.

 

I have always liked the ford cast aluminum wheels on the f150 but ford will not be offering them for 2002. Do you have any good wheel suggestions if I stay with the 16". What are the benefits of staying with the 16". Sounds like everybody in these threads think I should stay with the 16" for towing capacity, acceleration etc....

Thanks for responding!

 

theres many reasons to stay with 16s, heres my short list...
Everyone makes a tire for the 16" rim, very few make a 17" rim, as a result, 17" will be much more expensive.
For true off-roading, you want more rubber, less metal, this is why you'll never find true hard-core off-roaders using 17 or even 16" rims.
16" tires seem to be easier to balance then 17", and stay balanced longer.
As you mentioned, I've heard 16" tow better (and if you look at the tow ratios, they say the 4x4 off-road package tows 500 pounds less then the non-4x4 off-road package so that must be part of it)
Other then that, 17"ers are allright, I just can't see why Ford uses them on the F-150's/expeditions. I'm no wheel expert though.
Finding 16" wheels for the f-150's will not be an easy task. Most people make them but whether its 16" or 17" you still have Fords stupid bolt pattern that was only used on expy's and f-150's, so look forward to yet again spending a premium. 5-bolt, 135mm is the bolt pattern to look for. i got some centerline hellcats off ebay, can't wait to get the tires so I can get em on .

 

Dfrank, I just took delivery of my 2002 4x4xlt sport, it came with 10 spoke 17 inch wheels they are history I have ordered 16x8 Centerline wheels with bfg mudd terrain 285/75/16 Just an F.y.i

 

if you put the 17's on there with the factory 17 tire size, theres not going to be any real difference other than your speedo may be about 2 mph slow at 60. We swap tires and rims (16s and 17s) back and forth when someone thats buying a truck wants the rims from another truck, and we dont do anything else (because theres nothing you can do) and never hear any complaints from the owners about it.