Hey guys,

I have a 97 4x4 4.6. What is the largets tire I can mount on the stock 16 inch wheels with out a lift or maybe a little cranking on the torsions just to level her out? I dont have enough cash for a full lift and a regear so I just want to go alittle higher than stock now. I can believe how small the stock tires are.
Mike

 

265/75/16 is close to the max that the stock 7" wide wheel can handle safely. If you don't care about having a wide wheel, then 235/85/16 are almost the same overall height as the above mentioned size. If your truck came with the 235/70/16, then you'll be looking at close to 3" tire height increase, or about 1.5" in ride height change.

 

Thanks Casper I will take this information under consideration. What would be the floatation size equivilent to those sizes you listed. Or what is the nominal tire height? I was looking to mount maybe 31's or 32's.

Mike

 

265/75/16 equates to about 31.8", so it's very close to a 32" floatation series tire. The floatation equivalent would be roughly 32x10.5x16, which I don't think anyone makes. I'm not too sure about the availability of floatation series with sizes like this.

 

Thanks Casper

Mike

 

A 265/75-16 is essentially a 32x10.50-16. You can fit a 285/75-16 (33x11.50) or a 305/70-16 (33x12.50) without any problems. The 305's are a little too wide for the stock 16x7 rims but they will fit. You would probably have more tread wear in the center of the tire with that combo. If you plan on getting aftermarket rims (16x8 or 16x10) in the future, I'd go with the 305's. If you are going to keep the stock rims I'd go with the 285's.

 

You can fit a 315/75R16 (35x12.5) on the stock rim and it will hold. I know people that have done this on a 7" rim, but I would stick to a max of 305/70R16 (33x12.5). I ran 305s and 285s on the stock rim before I got new rims and put 315s on there. Keep in mind though that 33s+ on the stock rim don't look near as good IMO cause the wheel makes the tire bubble too much and like someone said, it will wear faster in the center of the tread. 285s fill in the wheel well very nicely for a non-lifted 4x4. 305s do too, but they look best with an aftermarket wheel...

 

OK guys.
If I go with the 285's or thre 305's, how much los of acceleration am I gonna see. I only have a 4.6. Which would you recommend.

Mike

 

If you are never going to be getting a new wheel, get a 285/75R16. It will fill in the wheel well the best with a little less power loss. The 305/70 however looks best with a slightly wider 8"-10" rim, and would be the way to go if you are eventually gonna get new rims. As far as poewr loss goes,

a 305/70R16 is:
32.8" tall
12" wide

a 285/75R16 is:
32.8" tall
11.2" wide

Since they are the same height, the power loss will be very similiar. 305s weigh a little more, but the feeling of power loss is mostly a result of the larger diameter tire needing more rpms to turn that larger diameter. Since these are the same diameter, I'd say there wont be much difference. I didn't really notice a big difference between my 305/70s and 285/75s until I went up to 315/75s. That made a bigger difference. 315s suck a lot of power up.

 

thanks for the valuable info guys.

 

I say go with the 305/70 they are wider and in almost all cases wider is better. The weight factor I really don't think is a issue due to the fact that you would not be able to notice a diff between the 2 if you drove either. Like others said you can run them on your stock runs as I know A LOT of people who do this. Just turn the PSI down about 3-5 PSI in each tire and they will wear a little more evenly.

 

I have the 97 f 150 4x4 and it came with the little 235 75 16 on it , I used to work at a tire shop and we tried the 285-75s and they fit fine in the back but the front rubbed when we bounced it up and down so I went with the 265 -75-16s , I should of got 285 70 16 or cranked my tortion bars to fit the 75s oh well Im happy with the ones I got they look good and the best part was they were FREE ( I saved my Firestone's and sent in the bill)