Tires Size
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
225/75-16 are 29.3" tall, 8.9" wide
235/85-16 are 31.7" tall, 9.3" wide
Like Sam, if it were me I'd go back to the stock size (which you can hardly find in anything other than load range E). But that is an 8% change in diameter which might be noticeable in your final drive ratio. It's possible that a previous owner thought it was geared too tall and tried to "correct" it. For instance, if you have 3.55 gears, then switching to the smaller tires effectively made them 3.84 gears. Personally I think the stock tires would be fine with 3.55 gears, but you need to decide what you think. And if your gears are any taller than 3.55 (I don't know that any taller were offered...) then taller tires might be a problem.
On the other hand, if you have 4.10 gears, then the smaller tires are giving you 4:43s, and the stock (larger) tires will probably be seen as an improvement.
235/85-16 are 31.7" tall, 9.3" wide
Like Sam, if it were me I'd go back to the stock size (which you can hardly find in anything other than load range E). But that is an 8% change in diameter which might be noticeable in your final drive ratio. It's possible that a previous owner thought it was geared too tall and tried to "correct" it. For instance, if you have 3.55 gears, then switching to the smaller tires effectively made them 3.84 gears. Personally I think the stock tires would be fine with 3.55 gears, but you need to decide what you think. And if your gears are any taller than 3.55 (I don't know that any taller were offered...) then taller tires might be a problem.
On the other hand, if you have 4.10 gears, then the smaller tires are giving you 4:43s, and the stock (larger) tires will probably be seen as an improvement.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Another popular size, and one that Ford used on some of these vans, and which a lot of 250/350 van drivers use, is 245/75x16. These are 30.5" tall, almost directly between the 2 sizes you mention, and give a good footprint and some more meat than the stock tires. (Most guys also really like Michelin LTX M/S's, which I loved on my E150 for all the time I had it thru 3 sets.)
I agree with Bob on the gearing. You can find a gearing chart and there will be a rear axle code on your door jamb sticker saying what the gearing is. I would be more inclined to use the larger tires if you have stiff gearing like 4.10 or something. Either the stock size or the 245/75's will give you more torque and more RPM's than the tires you have.
George
I agree with Bob on the gearing. You can find a gearing chart and there will be a rear axle code on your door jamb sticker saying what the gearing is. I would be more inclined to use the larger tires if you have stiff gearing like 4.10 or something. Either the stock size or the 245/75's will give you more torque and more RPM's than the tires you have.
George
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 21
As far as performance, I did notice my van was a little more sluggish with the larger tires but not terrible. I would check to make sure your speedo is functioning correctly. There are plenty of speedo/gps apps for a smart phone that will give you your speed so you can compare it to the speedo read out. If the speedo was not adjusted when the tires were upsized then your speed will probably be ready low.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 131
From: Maryville
225/75-16 are 29.3" tall, 8.9" wide
235/85-16 are 31.7" tall, 9.3" wide
Like Sam, if it were me I'd go back to the stock size (which you can hardly find in anything other than load range E). But that is an 8% change in diameter which might be noticeable in your final drive ratio. It's possible that a previous owner thought it was geared too tall and tried to "correct" it. For instance, if you have 3.55 gears, then switching to the smaller tires effectively made them 3.84 gears. Personally I think the stock tires would be fine with 3.55 gears, but you need to decide what you think. And if your gears are any taller than 3.55 (I don't know that any taller were offered...) then taller tires might be a problem.
On the other hand, if you have 4.10 gears, then the smaller tires are giving you 4:43s, and the stock (larger) tires will probably be seen as an improvement.
235/85-16 are 31.7" tall, 9.3" wide
Like Sam, if it were me I'd go back to the stock size (which you can hardly find in anything other than load range E). But that is an 8% change in diameter which might be noticeable in your final drive ratio. It's possible that a previous owner thought it was geared too tall and tried to "correct" it. For instance, if you have 3.55 gears, then switching to the smaller tires effectively made them 3.84 gears. Personally I think the stock tires would be fine with 3.55 gears, but you need to decide what you think. And if your gears are any taller than 3.55 (I don't know that any taller were offered...) then taller tires might be a problem.
On the other hand, if you have 4.10 gears, then the smaller tires are giving you 4:43s, and the stock (larger) tires will probably be seen as an improvement.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
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From: Roseville, MN
Sam I Am, who I was agreeing with in the post you quoted, had just said that. I was just pointing out that he wouldn't need to worry much about it because he was very unlikely to find anything other than a load range E in the size tire that came stock on his E350.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 20
From: Fort Smith, Arkansas
I read the original post as the stock size is 225/75/16 and there are lower rated tires than E in that size commonly available.
I guess one of us got that wrong.
I am a big fan of keeping stock size tires on my trucks which is still my recommendation in this case.
I guess one of us got that wrong.
I am a big fan of keeping stock size tires on my trucks which is still my recommendation in this case.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
I have a tire question also; The tires on my 1996 E350 are dry rotted and need to be replaced. I have been thinking of going with 265/60R18 (E rated). I want a bigger footprint with a lower sidewall.
Questions:
#1 - According to the Tire Rack this size tire requires an 8" wide wheel. Will this tire/wheel combo fit in my stock van without rubbing the fender well or obstructing the steering?
#2 - Did Ford offer an 18" wheel with 8X165.5 bolt pattern. If Ford did I presume it was on a F250/F350, will the offsets work on my E350?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Questions:
#1 - According to the Tire Rack this size tire requires an 8" wide wheel. Will this tire/wheel combo fit in my stock van without rubbing the fender well or obstructing the steering?
#2 - Did Ford offer an 18" wheel with 8X165.5 bolt pattern. If Ford did I presume it was on a F250/F350, will the offsets work on my E350?
Thanks in advance for your help.
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