18 inch or 20 inch wheels
 

I am thinking of getting a f350 diesel,SWB. I plan on towing a 5th Wheel. Should I get 18 inch or 20 inch wheels?

Welcome to FTE...you have arrived at the place for good honest information on the new 2011 6.7 Diesel trucks. Many of us here have big fivers and are extremely pleased with the performance.

If you do a little browsing around you will find plenty of discussion on this very issue. The wheel sizes are tied to the option packages and also to the gear ratio's available in the truck. Here are the high points and they only address diesel powered trucks:

1. Your fiver does not care which wheel size/gear ratio you have in the truck. The 6.7 has so much power that your biggest worry will be speeding tickets...use your cruise control.

2. As you look at various trucks or build your own at the Ford website, you will find some confusing conflicts regarding the two axle ratio choices. This is because Ford uses the various option packages to determine which ratio you will get with your truck. In the end, again it does not matter. Power and mileage differences are statistically insignificant with either the 3.31 or 3.55 gear ratios or the wheel size.

3. Any option package that uses 20 inch wheels will always have the 3.55 ratios. The 3.31 is not available with 20 inch rubber.

4. If you add the "camper package" option, you will not get the 20 inch wheels. You do get to choose the ratio of your preference though.

5. 17 inch and 18 inch wheeled trucks can get either the 3.31 or the 3.55 ratios. Unless there is another option package that changes the rules. Again it does not matter. The truck doesn't care.

6. The traction enhancement option on all F25/F350 SRW trucks is simple. There is an Electric Locker rear differential available. There is no traditional "limited slip rear end" available in the SRW trucks. The E Locker works great.

7. There is no higher numerically gear ratio available in a SRW diesel truck than 3.55. There is no 3.73 or 4.10 like you can get in the gas truck. If someone tells you different, he is wrong.

8. If you want a particular look with your factory wheel choice, just go with what you like. It may change your axle ratio but it does not matter performance wise.

9. Refer to number one. Figure out what options are important to you...the truck will not care. Whichever wheel size or gear ratio you end up with, performance differences have been proven over and over again to be insignificant.

I have the truck in my signature and the fiver as well. I have 24000 miles on the truck. Over 8000 of these miles have been towing the 13000 pound fiver. Up and down 9% grades and and all across the Mid- West, the truck has taken every condition in stride. Good Luck with your search

Regards

Rick says it well. Welcome to the club.

20 inch all the way!!

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If you want 18 inch wheels buy a Hyundia:-X03

Now that was just uncalled for! :-X04
You leave the 18" wheels alone.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=51107

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That is one beautiful truck, I just ordered the exact truck with the 20's Rims last week for the exception of the adobe trim which I went with the sterling grey trim. The only reason for that was my last truck had the adobe trim and just wanted something a little different. (Again Beautiful Truck.)
My local ford dealer could not get allocation till tonight at midnight so I guess my timer starts tonight:-X21

KPER05....I can't see them they are sooooo small....;)

Just kidding....I bought the 20 inch wheels since I have no plans of upgrading them in the future.

Thanks brother!! You will love your new truck!! I have no idea how I lived life without heated seats!! They rock!! These trucks are stupid fast!! I try not to race other vehicles at stop lights....but I can't help it!!! The shift from 3rd to 4th gear will make you giggle!! Please post some pictures of your new truck when you get it!

I have both stock 20" KR wheels and a set of 18" wheels for the best of both worlds!! I plan on towing with the 18" with Michelin MS/2's as they have a much higher tread life warranty than the AT/2's that came with the truck.

Tires and these trucks is a very controversial topic - everyone has their own opinions.

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I've got the same truck too, but got rid of the crappy Michelin tires. I had chunks falling off of them and they and they absolutely sucked in even the smallest amount of mud. Running the BFG AT's.

I have the same, but with tri-coat white, and the Ford installed mudflaps. 20's fill the wheel well better, in my opition...
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If you want 18 inch wheels buy a Hyundia:-X03[/quote]

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FordTUF1
I am also looking at the doing the same and going with the BFG AT's when my truck comes in. If possible could you post a Picture of your truck with the BFG's.

I have the 20 inch wheels and love them. As mentioned earlier, they fill the wheel well better. I also think they give you a little bit more ride height -- which caused me angst when I went to pull it into the garage the first time (I clear by less than an inch on standard 8X7),

I'm now faced with this same decision.

So far everyone has talked about Ratio or transmission to wheel and about looks.

But what about the ride and especially the ride on bumpy and nine paved conditions?

with the 275/70R18 the wall height is 275 X 0.7 / 25.4 = 7.58"
with the 275/65R20 the wall height is 275 X 0.65 / 25.4 = 7.04"

so the wall height on the 20s is 0.54" less than the 18s.

For example:

- If I'm on an unpaved road in Colorado and it's like a washboard then how will this effect my ride?

- How will this effect my ride on a normal rough road?

- And how will this effect my ride on normal roads when I hit that big pot hole?

Thanks

I like the look of the 20s better than the 18s, but live in the Pacific NW and need to be able to use chains when needed. Ford says not to use chains on 20" wheels, just cable chains. Well cable chains won't help where I get sometimes, so I stuck with the 18s and have no complaints.
Let us know what you decide.
Pat