Does anyone have an idea of what the largest/tallest tire I could fit on a late 80s f250 (2wd, stock) without rubbing? From what I've gathered 33inches seems to be the number, but I've not found anything specifically for the late 80s to mid 90s generation.

 

i put 33X12.5X16.5 tires on 10 inch wide rims on my nephews 88 250 2 wheel drive, and he had no problems with it for the 3 years he had it.
but the 33's are about all you can go without rubbing.

 

Did you have to replace the wheels themselves? Because as far as I can find, the wheels are 16.0 stock. Or would the .5 not be an issue?

 

i 33x12.5r16 on 10 ins rims no rubbing

 

You can find the same size in a 16 inch rim.

Definitely DO NOT try to mount a 16.5 tire on a 16 inch rim. Not safe, wont work.

 

Figured as much, but the conformation is nice to have.

Also, the gears are 4.11 ratios, so I should be looking at 32's for peak performance, correct?

edit: Looking at this site (http://4lo.com/calc/geartable.htm) it seems like 32" would be cloestest to factory, but then it goes to list 34" as having the better gas mileage? Would that account for the fact I'd have to raise the truck to get 34s under there?

 

34" is not really a common size. I'd throw a set of 33"s on there and not look back

 

Seems like every time I get on to check my posts, someones replied!

So something like a set of 305/70R16s? I've been looking at getting a pair of Kuhmo venture at's.

 

Dont get mud tires with big side lugs. Been there done that. On a 2wd f250 i put 33 inch Simex Extreme Trekkers on it and when i cut the wheel full lock, the lugs rubbed making it feel like the front end was gonna just jump off an run away.....VERY annoying

 

Any suggestions for tires? I'm going for an even balance of looks, performance, and driving pleasure. The truck ain't gonna be doing much true off roading, but it will be doing a fair bit of driving on dirt and gravel roads, some of which barely qualify as roads, and some fairly flat farmland (probably about 35%-65% "barely counts as road" to city/highway/expressway driving). Will be occasionally, as in every few months, be called upon to pull a one or two horse trailer.

 

The Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ is an amazing tire for all of that. My uncle had a set on his 2004 f250 when he got it a couple years ago and he just got a new set of them he loves them so much.