Have an 86’ F250 4X4 that I’m starting to recondition/restore, and have some questions regarding wheel and tire sizes.

Mainly, are there any recommendations for wheel and tire setup?

I’ve been tossing around the idea of getting 16 or 17” steelwheels that are about 8-9” wide. Probably won’t put any massive rubber on themsince cost will be a factor, but would like 31-33” tires.

This will be primarily a camping/hunting truck, so will beoff road a lot, with some highway driving. Really just want a capablewheel/tire combo, with limited to no modification to the truck. Obviously I’dlike it to look nice, with a little wider stance than the stock wheels give itnow.

 

Here's my tires. Stock wheels painted Grey, with stock LT 235 85 R16 E tires. I think for more width, LT 265 75 R16 E would fit without any modifications.




That's about the best pic I have for width with stock, 265's would widen it up 1.18" from 235's but still keep it unfubar'd.

 

'85 Batmobile with some aftermarket (craigslist find) 16x7 (or were they 16x8?...) rims, Cooper Disco ST 265/75/16s, cheap eBay capped black lug nuts, Gorilla push-through centers on the rear:





Close-up:


Indeed, 265/75/16s are within 1/10" overall diameter the same as the OEM 235/85/16s.

 

So I think I've decided to go with LT265/70R17 BFG AT T/A KO2 mounted on steel 17X8 wheels w/ a 3.5" backspacing. It looks and sounds, from what I've read, will help clear steering knuckle as well as fill out the wheel wells and give me a slightly wider stance than stock.


Anyone see any problems or have a similar setup?


Thanks again for everyone's support.

 

I run 235/85 16s on the stock 16 inch wheels on am 85 F250 4x4. Great it the snow but offroad I prefer the 33x12.5s on 16.5x10s. They give it a nice stance as well.

 

Where are you getting the wheels? What kind?

 

Found some steel wheels on the typical sites (summit, 4wheelparts, etc) while I've been trying to figure this all out, but will probably search on eBay, Craig's list & a couple other local online classifieds though I've always been weiry of buying autoparts that way.

Really like the procomp wheels though!

 

Why go to a 17? 16's are cheaper unless you are looking at using takeoffs, but most OE equipped tires have no place on a 4x4 that leaves pavement. Clearing the knuckle or brakes are not a worry, 16" is the stock size on these trucks. I would look at a 16x8 with a 285/75R16(33x11 or so) or the aforementioned 265's.
I have gone as big as 315's on a stock F250, and it is tight, but, 315's are never cheap to buy.

 

^^ what he said.

a 265/75/16 is going to about $30 per tire cheaper than the 265/70/17

And I the wheels are going to be about $50 per wheel cheaper too

 

This is the info I was looking for. Had read a couple posts here and some other forums, about people having issues with clearance of the steering. Unfortunately they were super old threads so no luck getting any detailed info, but wanted to make sure I cover a couple things when buying new wheels and tires; limited or no modification needed, cost and availability of tires in the future, and well looks come in a distant third LOL.

Like the idea of 16X8 with 285/75R16. Will do some price comparing tonight but know if I can stay with a 16" wheel, I'll save a little in the long run, so as long as I won't have issues with clearance, that's most likely what I'll do.

 

I was afraid you were going to get 17 inch rims off a later truck. I think most of those have the metric pattern and won't fit.

Make sure also you always at least get the LT's. They make a lot of 16 and 17 inch rims for regular light duty SUV's and their load ratinng would not be high enough for your f250. I think they have a letter rating for the load range of the tire if you want to do some research on it.

 

FYI:
235/85-16 are 31.7 x 9.25
265/75-16 are 31.6 x 10.4
285/75-16 are 32.8 x 11.2

 

No, I know enough not to just grab any old wheel. Need 8 on 6.5 (6.125) pattern and want to stay with a minimal offset which is why I'd like to go with a set with 3.5" of backspace so it pushes the somewhat wider wheels out, instead of into the wells.

Not as familiar with load ratings, but do know both tires and wheels have max loads and will make sure and verify that whatever I get will meet at least minimal load requirements... I know a guy!

But really, I've got a good friend who will be ordering direct for me. He hasn't worked on many older Fords so he recommended doing some research into what sizes others have had success with. Once I give him the sizes, he'll make the order using the F250's info. I'll be sure to double check about load ratings before we purchase. Thanks.