I have decided to scrap my 17" Stock rims
and spend some money I don't have on a new set of rims because I am in the process of adding the Rancho 4" suspension lift and my existing tires are ready to be replaced. Based on my own research and much great advice provided by you guys, I have been unable to find a 35" tire for a 17" rim that is street worthy.

Now the question is, 15", 16", or 16.5"???
I was looking at the BFG 35x12.5x16.5 tires
but am open to any combo of wheel and rubber.
I want the tire to be around 35's. I think 33's are just a little too small, plus my credit card is burning a hole in my wallet...

This truck does not go off-road (I know I am a pu%%y). But I am just going for looks. I
like my trucks like I like my women (joke...)

BTW... 98 F-150 XLT 4x4

Thanks guys,
Jim

 

Go with the 16 inch wheels.They are a little cheaper and there is a much bigger tire selection-wich are also priced cheaper.hope this helps

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2000 f150 4x4 sport,black, 3.55 5spd ,4.2 liters of fury ------mods----pioneer cd,alpine sub,cadence ultradrive amps,alpine mids&tweets,Delta tool box,class III reciever hitch,herculiner bed liner,taz floor mats,profile bug guard,custom painted tail light covers,headlight covers,cranked torsion bars,pirelli scorpion at(265/75 16), modified air box(crash1 style),JET air filter,blue cargo lights


www.lightningcrashz@hotmail.com

 

i agree with Lightning. Go with the 16's a real money saver, and the bigger selection of tires. The 15's will not fit unless you grind some material off of the front calipers.

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97 4X4 Flareside
4.6 5-Speed
Superchipped
ASP underdrives
Airaid
Dynamax headers
Borla Cat-back
Clear corners
5% Tint
285/75/16 BFG All terr.
16x8 AR Baha's
Rancho 9000's

Soon to come:
3" Perf. Acc. body lift
w/lift lips
315/75/16 BFG KO's
4000K bulbs

 

From what I have seen a lot of aftermartket wheels are 16.5 and there are a lot of tires in this size. With the 16.5 I have seen more metric sizes 33x12.50 or 35x14.50 etc. than with the 16s.

[This message has been edited by powerstroke73 (edited 11-09-2000).]

 

You should look for a rim you like that is made in the 97 and up bolt pattern. Not all rims are made in this (5x135mm). This is the most important part!!! If you find a rim you like in 16 or 16.5 then find the tires. There are a lot of different tire sizes and brands made for the 16" and the 16.5".
There are not that many selections of rims in the 16.5" (5x135). The AR baja is one.
The Eagle alloy 589 is one and the Eagle
series 143 is another(My choice). There are some Weld and Centerline also but more expensive. With the 4" lift you should be able to go up to a 35x12.50 tire. This size is made by BF Goodrich in both the 16" and the 16.5". The 16" is just labled as metric
ie 317x75x16=35x12.50.
TSL also makes a very wide selction of tirs.
and Goodyear has some 33x12.50x16 also.
So my conclusion would be find the RIMS you
like first that fir your Ford then buy tires to fit the rims. You may pay more for some tires but the rims are what really makes the TRUCK set apart.



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97 150 4x4XLT flareside reg cab 4" warn BLACK DIAMOND suspension lift.

 

16.5 is the way to go without a doubt. 16.5 has been around as a wheel size since forever. Tires are cheaper for 16.5, and here is an example. BFG All-Terrain 295x75x16 (same as 32x11.50) is $188.95. 35x12.50x16.5 is $167.95. There really isn't any choice as far as my opinion goes.

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Boss™

Ordered June 29th: 2001 F-150 Lariat, Oxford White/Silver 4x4, SC, SB, SS, 99L 5.4L, 44E tran, 7700# payload, Class III Tow, 3.73LS, Skids, Leather Captains, 4W disc ABS, shift-on-fly, keyless, HD everything
Planned Mods:
"Protected by the Owner and his 2 friends, Smith & Wesson" sticker, Westin Chromed Stainless Nerf Bars, ARE LS II bed cover, Bedrug™, Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter w/airbox mods, headers, Superchip, 3" body lift with at least 33's, alarm/pager/auto start system, stereo system