I ordered an 04 the other day, no build date so far. Does anyone know the make/model of tires they're putting on an 04 F350 SRW? I have the LT265/75R16 BSW AT option. I know they won't be Firestone's like on my 99....

Thanks

 

Don't know if they've changed, or if there's a diff between BSWs and OWLs, but my 03 came with BFG Rugged Trail T/As (same size as yours). I like 'em - much better than the Wranglers that came on my previous truck on wet/oily pavement.

 

I just got my 03 F350 and it came with firestones

 

That's interesting, I thought I read somewhere that Ford had severed all ties with Firestone over the whole Explorer thing. Anyone else hear this?

 

My `03 came with Generals.....Oh Joy

 

Nope, Ford still actively uses Firestones. My '02 F-350 came with Firestones!

 

My 03 F250 XLT -- built 4/03 -- came with General AmeriTrac 235/85R16 AT. When I ordered the FX4 pkg the dealer told me the 265/75R16 AT was 'not available' so it came with the 235s.

since replaced with better tires -- Generals were not a comfprtable ride and were squirrely on wet paving.

RR

 

That's strange... My 03 F350 Lariat FX4 -- built 3/03 -- came with the 265/75R16 AT OWLs (BFGs). Mine was built in the Kentucky plant - could that be the difference here, or is it a BSW vs OWL thing, or did they run out?

 

I agree with the strange part. If you build a truck on the ford Canada website you are forced to pick 265 tires over the stock 235's when you pick the FX4 option.

 

Hi,

My '01 4x4 F250 off road came with 265 Firestone 10 plys but I ordered all the heavy duty stuff. I test drove a 2003 F250 4x4 and it had BFG trails on it. This was in Canada also. I have not seen one with Firestones lately. Thank goodness

 

When I ordered my 03 F250 my brochure did not even list a 235 tire. My salesman told me that they did not put 235's on the SD's anymore because so many people upgraded to the 265's. Anyhow, because I knew that I would be putting aftermarket tires on my SD I just had them put on the plain jane 265 70 16 tires so I would not have to pay for upgraded tires just to take them off and replace them. When I took delivery of my truck I could not believe what I saw. My truck came with Pirelli Scorpion tires. Man, talk about something weird, an F250 SD C/C 4X4 with street tires that are made by a performance tire company no less. Glad I will soon be changing them because I know that there is no way that they would be of any use in the snow, or even in a muddy field, around here.

 

My 2003 came with firestone 265x75r16 AT and I upgraded to 285x75r16 bfg at a week after I got the truck and the ride quality improved a lot for me

 

Agree that the 235/85R16 AT as the only option for an AT tire with the FX4 package was strange -- also unexpected! When I tried building online (US) the FX4 option for the F250 XLT required an AT tire -- default was 235/85R16E and option was the 265/75R16E BSW or OWL. I placed the order for 265/75R16 BSW AT but got called back and told the dealer could get the truck built but not with the 265's, would have to accept the 235s. I would also guess that the plant in Kentucky must have run out at some point -- my build date was 04/03/2003 IIRC and another fellow here ordered a F250 FX4 and had it built earlier than mine, his final order date was about 15 or so days before mine; his came with BFG Rugged Trail BSWs in 265/75R16E.

Not that it mattered too much: he also switched right away: the Rugged Trails are not very good tires IMHO, based on having dealt with family members who got a "good deal" on several sets for their various SUVs and trucks [none in E range, though -- highest was "C"] and then suffered miserable luck with multiple flats on rough roads and trails -- I know, as I had the benefit of changing tires twice, and then removing the second spare which blew out a sidewall after a small rock puncture was patched, all in the rain on a single day in my GF's 4Runner. Not to knock BFGs over all -- have had excellent luck with other BFG models.

Rant: I really wish Ford would let people order "without factory tires" and get a choice as dealer-installed option-- or get a set of quality factory optional tires even if it were for a few $$ more than aftermarket ! I asked my dealer [down in Washington] what to expect for tires when I ordered [this was when I was originally placing the order for 265/75R16 ATs] and his blunt but honest response was "what does it matter? the tires the factory will put on won't be satisfactory because they are minimum quality regardless of brand and you will need to plan on replacing them if you want good rubber." He advised getting the cheapest available tire from the factory and then replace them. I had to get the AT option due to the FX4 package.

I took him at his word and had a set of Cooper Discoverer AT 265/75R16 tires ready when my truck arrived and had them put on within a matter of a few days. My experience with the Generals in that short time proved he was right!

Sorry for the long winded comment. Pet peeve time.

RR

 

Interesting, however, I have never been able to find a tire shop that would patch a sidewall puncture on a radial.....blow outs, etc..

Also the BFG Mud Terrains have a very solid reputation regarding sidewall strength (extra ply I think) and durability, I guess the Rugged version isn't that rugged.

My dealer is open to arranging to swap on whatever tires I want and get me a 'near' full credit with a tire shop on the tires that come on the truck. I can't argue with this.

I guess Ford can't wrap their heads around a 'tire delete' option shipping would be a challenge.....

 

Well -- it WAS a bit of a rant, huh? Re the puncture that was patched -- I did that myself and it was a rock puncture between the treads; the sidewall blew about an an hour later after I had to put it back on to replace the second spare which also had a big puncture.

I have not used them myself, but have heard real good things on the BFG Mud Terrains. The Rugged Trail model looks to be what it is -- a cheap compromise version that doesn't seem to have the same characteristics in design, strength, etc., that come with the higher priced models. I wouldn't even have brought up my own miserable experiences with them except hearing them mentioned stirred up some memories and also some strong thoughts I had about why it is a bad idea to try and save money on equipment... rain and mud help focus your thoughts!

Can't fault your dealer's policy -- wish I could have managed the same. However, I was able to sell the Generals from my F250 and recoup part of the costs for the new tires. Won't get specific about who I sold them to except to say that they are people who have a history of looking for good deals on tires -- but I don't feel guilty about it: gave them a real good deal and know that the tires will be used primarily on work trucks on streets and roads and not under real tough conditions.

I think the bottom line on your query is that (a) what is being put on the SDs from the factory is really in flux lately, (2) that you may get a different oem tire on the 350 than the 250 [imagine the 235s may be a little shy on load capacity even in range E, so 265/75R16 may be the minimum for the F350] and it is hard to predict what you'll get, and (c) you will likely not be happy with the factory furnished tires and best seek to use that dealer option to swap out for the tires of your choice. I feel that tire selection is the biggest safety (and performance) choice for a truck and one I was not willing to compromise on or delay. My kids ride with me. Good luck on the MTs, if that's what you settle on.

RR