This is my first thread and it's a question about wheel and tire size. I have a 95',2x4, six, bright saphire,42,000k with no mods. I'm the original owner and have had no major problems with it, so far. I figure it's time to dress it up. How large of a rim and tire combo can I get away with w/out putting a lift in?

 

you can squeeze 31x10.5 in there. You might get a tiny bit of rubbing, but probably not.

with a 2" lift you could fit the 32x11.5 probably.

 

This one is up for grabs cause the tire/wheel combo is endless.

For starters, in stock form the 1/2 ton F-Series pickups can only fit 31x10.5 tires on 15in rims without modifications. The V8s have problems with the front tires rubbing on the radius arms cause the weight of the engine block when wearing tires with big lugs such as mud tires. Inline 6s can get away with it cause the block isn't as heavy as a 351 or 460.

If you want to go bigger, your gonna have up as in lifting the truck. An inexpensive lift would probably be a 2" or 3" body lift cause of the ease of installation. Suspension lifts can be costly especially if you have to pay someone else to do it. A cheap suspension lift would be replacing your 1/2 ton springs with the springs from a F250HD 3/4 ton of the same year. Most of the time they should bolt right up. And of course you can install lift blocks on the rear at this time to. I would not recommend blocks bigger than 1 1/2 - 2 inches. The stiffer springs will carry more weight and keep the truck more stable in the turns. 1/2 ton Fords have a bad lean in the turns cause their softer springs.

Let me know what you want to do as far as the lifting goes and I'll give you the combinations based on the lift.

-txbullryder-

 

my leveling spacers did a good job of getting rid of most of the leaning in the corners. the front coil overs are way too soft to be going over 20mph.

 

i think someone forgot to mention.......


WELCOME TO FTE!

 

Hey I got an 86 4x4 with 31x10.5x15's on it with a 300 for an engine. My tires rub nicely on radius arms and the 302, 351, and 300 are all pretty close in weight the 460 is quite a bit heavier though. Anyway I noticed you said 2x4, I'd go for the drag/lowrider type of look myself, big tires on the back small on the front. You could probably stuff 33's on the back if you don't load up the box to much or else put helper springs on. Otherwise go with 31's.

Redneck-Cowboy

 

I have an '89 with the 300. The 31x10.5xR15 tires rub on mine but the wheel wells look empty with smaller tires. You might want to take into consideration your gearing before you go to a larger tire. If you have 3.08 gears any increase in tire size might be too much.

 

I still have my 3.08's and I can still start out in 2nd gear, the speedometer ain't even off.

Redneck-Cowboy

 

I too am running 31x10.50/15s on my 84 4wd with 3.08 gears, the truck actually feels quicker with the 31s. I do have rubbing on the radius arms

 

THANKS! for all suggestions. and thanks for the welcome. Seems as though the 31/10.5s w/15in. rims are the choice. I'll keep my stock rims for winter though. illinois[with all the salt] is tough on rims to say the least.--- Before I signed on, I read every question and response in this [inline six] catatgory. You guys have got tons of ideas to chew on! THANKS again! B.2.