I am sure this has been asked and answered before so I apologize, but Search is not my friend tonight. What is the maximum tire size I can install on a non lifted 1985 F250 4WD.I am thinking 33's (and maybe more) will fit just fine but I don't know about the width. I really don't want a real wide tire anyhow. I have the factory steel 16 inch wheels. Thanks in advance.

 

i believe 33's are the max without a body,suspension lift or fender trimming.

 

The previous owner installed 35's on my 86 250 2WD. They will rub at 3/4 turns.

I have a set of 285's to install once the project gets going.

 

I'm runnin 33x12.50r16.5's bfg all terrains they don't rub at all. When they wear out might go to a 34 or 35x9.50 mud terrain. But I have been pretty happy with my bfg's they ride well and have never let me down off the hwy. Too bad truck tires are so damn expensive, hope this helps.



1986 F250 4x4, 460, glass-pack, t-18, 10,000lb warn winch
1979 F150 4x4, 400, flowmaster, c6, 35" boggers "no lift"

 

im running 33x12.5-15 on my 84 f250 no rubbing good luck!

 

I have my eye on some 285/75R16's. It looks like they run out at 33.2 in diameter fit a 8" rim with a range of 7.5" to 9", and have a section width of about 11 and a half inches. E Range. Thoughts?

I believe those factory steels have an 8" rim width, is that so?

I do plan to lift the truck maybe 2 inches but the tires are going to have to come first and I want to keep the factory steels, they are in great shape. I also would rather not have to swap gears like I would need to do with significantly larger tires. I don't have any issues with leaving the factory gears as is with only going from a 32" tire to 33.2" but a bit wider.

I am more of a lurker than a poster but I do want to say thank you for a great resource.

 

The factory rims are not 8 inches wide. The factory steel rims are only 6 inches wide. All those guys in the previous posts saying "there tires don't rub" can't be running the stock rim. It makes a big difference. A aftermarket rim is wider, and sets the tire away from the truck frame further which helps prevent rubbing.

 

OK then, second question. With the stock steel rims am I pretty much stuck with the 235/85R16 as a maximum size?

What should I look for regarding wider rims at the salvage yard, or on the aftermarket? I actually prefer the look of the plain steel rims on this truck but want slightly larger tires. I have no desire with this vehicle for fancy wheels.

 

I had 285/75s on the stock rims for some time and had never had a problem your safe in your set up. You could always go with a 16x8 painted wheel to.

 

If you get too wide a tire on the narrow rim, it will wear the middle of the tire out before it wears the sides. I got a good deal on some 31x10.5x15 tires for my f150 because the guy I bought them from had them on a stock toyota factory rims, and the center was getting worn down some. They would still pass inspection easily in the center, and the outer edges were like brand new. I installed them on some cheap chrome rims that were 8 inches wide, and got a lot of life out of them.

You may run into this problem also if you get a tire that is too wide for your rim, even though it may not rub.

 

Reviving the dead but I just put 37x12.5r16.5 on 85 F250 yesterday. It is stock from the looks of it. I'll try to attach a picture.

 

No way that is not going to rub at some point on a stock no-lift truck. That's a huge tire. My 89 f250 has 35x12.50x16.5 but it has a 4 inch lift on it.