Turning Radius
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Joined: Feb 2014
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Turning Radius
Just bought a 2002 F-250. Truck came with 18" Rims with 275/70/18 tires. The turning radius is awful, almost unsafe. The stock rim and tire size should be 16" rims with approximately 265/75/16 tires. Would the larger rims have that big of an effect on turning radius? I have owned two 2006 F-250's, and they turned nothing like this truck. I have not really gotten into the front end to see if the stops have been adjusted and/or if the tires are hitting. Just looking for some feed back.
Thanks
Scott
Thanks
Scott
New User
Joined: Feb 2014
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As bbender said, the difference is in your suspension, not your rims/tires. In 2005 Ford finally got on board and switched over to coil spring suspension. Which are just as strong or stronger than leaf springs. (just look at the suspension on the rail cars the next time you're watching one pass if you disagree) The specs section here on FTE for the '05 SD says:
"A new monobeam coil spring front suspension replaces the leaf springs on four-wheel-drive F-250 and F-350 pickups. Efficient packaging of the new front suspension allows the front wheels to turn 18 percent further. This dramatically improves maneuverability and reduces the average turning circle by more than 5.5 feet."
The length of the wheelbase also makes a difference, but the size of the tires does not. My F250 is an '03 so I have the leaf springs, and it's a super-cab with a long-box. I feel your pain. My previous vehicle was a little 2000 Jeep Wrangler which could turn on a dime. Talk about culture shock! Takes some getting used to. I just smile and wave to people as I take my extra bites while turning around. :] Good luck!
"A new monobeam coil spring front suspension replaces the leaf springs on four-wheel-drive F-250 and F-350 pickups. Efficient packaging of the new front suspension allows the front wheels to turn 18 percent further. This dramatically improves maneuverability and reduces the average turning circle by more than 5.5 feet."
The length of the wheelbase also makes a difference, but the size of the tires does not. My F250 is an '03 so I have the leaf springs, and it's a super-cab with a long-box. I feel your pain. My previous vehicle was a little 2000 Jeep Wrangler which could turn on a dime. Talk about culture shock! Takes some getting used to. I just smile and wave to people as I take my extra bites while turning around. :] Good luck!
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2009
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Have you ever noticed that you usually see these trucks backed into a parking space? It's much easier to back in than to drive into a spot nose first.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
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One question though? Are the wheels on it the stock wheels from 2002 or did someone put other wheels on it? My 2000 4x4 had 2006 wheels on it when I bought it. The coil sprung trucks have different back spacing and it took a 47 point turn to maneuver my truck in the parking lots. I finally got stock wheels back on mine and it helped a little (17 point turns now). Make sure you have the right backspacing intended for a leaf spring truck and then consider the size of tire. I will admit, backing into spaces is easier, and a straight axle truck will NEVER maneuver as well as the later years but....I gladly accept my 7.3 straight axle over the coil sprung 6.0 liters any day.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
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I guess what I should have said is I will accept the lesser turning radius of the earlier trucks that also have a 7.3 liter rather than move into a better turning radius truck that has a 6.0 liter.
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