New wheels
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
New wheels
Hi i have a 1999 ford f250 and i currently have 16" i was looking to upgrade to 18" or 20" but not sure if i should. I use my truck everyday and im out on dirt roads as well as in the city a lot. So i need help in deciding if i should get a bigger rim or not, whats holding me back is i dont know how much it ia going to affect me as far as weight of wheel/tire and suspension wise anyone have any opinions or suggestions?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 38
From: State of Delusion.
Hi i have a 1999 ford f250 and i currently have 16" i was looking to upgrade to 18" or 20" but not sure if i should. I use my truck everyday and im out on dirt roads as well as in the city a lot. So i need help in deciding if i should get a bigger rim or not, whats holding me back is i dont know how much it ia going to affect me as far as weight of wheel/tire and suspension wise anyone have any opinions or suggestions?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,170
Likes: 1,331
From: Bahstun
if you get bigger rims, get bigger tires
those that run low profile tires always wreck a tire or rim with a pothole since it cant adsorb the shock of it. my brothers Escort GT went through many tires and rims
I have never owned a low profile tire for this reason
those that run low profile tires always wreck a tire or rim with a pothole since it cant adsorb the shock of it. my brothers Escort GT went through many tires and rims
I have never owned a low profile tire for this reason
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
Welcome. The size rims have absolutely nothing with where you drive. You drive city, dirt roads... so. If you go with the same height tire what you will notice a ride quality difference on the street mostly since you'll have less sidewall to absorb the impact.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: south cali
Price a 20" tire !!!
Now price a 16" tire....!!
You will discover that the 16" is a lot cheaper and the added bonus is they look better. jajaja..... I am not a fan of 20" tire wheel combos but that is just my opinion.
Now price a 16" tire....!!
You will discover that the 16" is a lot cheaper and the added bonus is they look better. jajaja..... I am not a fan of 20" tire wheel combos but that is just my opinion.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
My opinion is to stay with the 16". To be frank, I don't get this ridiculous trend of 'more wheel and less tire' on vehicles, especially trucks. It ruins your ride, harder on the suspension components, and your expensive wheels are more prone to damage. It's purely cosmetic, and makes no sense to me. You pay more to get less. I don't get it. Sorry for the rant, but just seeing it on the street annoys me.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
I'll bring up the less subjective stuff:
Many of the aftermarket 16" rims "fit"... but don't. They sometimes extend out past the body, flinging road onto the body and your mirrors. The other issue is the inside diameter barely clears the front brake calipers. If there is no lip on the rim, then the balancing weights have to go on the inner face of the rim. You can find yourself hearing a "scrape-scrape-scrape" while driving out of the tire bay.
One other thing: Costo (in my area) carries piles of 17" tires - not so much with the 16".
Do your homework, and the decision on the 16" might be made for you.
Many of the aftermarket 16" rims "fit"... but don't. They sometimes extend out past the body, flinging road onto the body and your mirrors. The other issue is the inside diameter barely clears the front brake calipers. If there is no lip on the rim, then the balancing weights have to go on the inner face of the rim. You can find yourself hearing a "scrape-scrape-scrape" while driving out of the tire bay.
One other thing: Costo (in my area) carries piles of 17" tires - not so much with the 16".
Do your homework, and the decision on the 16" might be made for you.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 967
Likes: 7
From: coquitlam,BC
I switched to 18" and would never go back. Way more tire selection. slightly shorter sidewall depending on what you buy. less sidewall gives you less tire squirm when you hall heavy. Better handling with a shorter sidewall. thats my opinion.
Roy.
Roy.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
Couldn't be happier with my 18's... leveling kit, air bags in rear to keep it level. No rub. I modified front inner fender mud shield thing. Running 35X12.5 18's. Dont know how it would work with stock bumper though....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
xxxcre10xxx
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
13
Dec 15, 2002 12:13 AM