235 tire width to 295 difference
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Senior User
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235 tire width to 295 difference
Hello all,
Has been a long time since I have posted, shame on me. Some of you may remember me, others may not. Either way, Hello again to the old, and a Big Hello to the new!!!
My 03 SD is soon to be ready for new rubber. My truck came with 235/85/16 tire size. I am wanting to increase the tire width to 295. Is there a big difference in appearence? I have always hated the "Radio Flyer" looking tires that came stock.
Also, can I increase tire width to 295 while still maintaining the same ride height? To acheive this, would I order 295/85R/16 tires? If so, there would be no need to recalibrate the speedo, correct?
My truck does have the X springs so I should be safe with this width.
Many Thanx
Has been a long time since I have posted, shame on me. Some of you may remember me, others may not. Either way, Hello again to the old, and a Big Hello to the new!!!
My 03 SD is soon to be ready for new rubber. My truck came with 235/85/16 tire size. I am wanting to increase the tire width to 295. Is there a big difference in appearence? I have always hated the "Radio Flyer" looking tires that came stock.
Also, can I increase tire width to 295 while still maintaining the same ride height? To acheive this, would I order 295/85R/16 tires? If so, there would be no need to recalibrate the speedo, correct?
My truck does have the X springs so I should be safe with this width.
Many Thanx
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 64
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From: NY
On what width rims?
There is a suggested rim width for all size tires.
A good rule of thumb is the tread width should be close to the rim width. If not, the contact patch of the tire is affected.
I picked up a set of the eighteen inch Harley rims for my truck. Nine inch rim and a 275 tire.
There is a suggested rim width for all size tires.
A good rule of thumb is the tread width should be close to the rim width. If not, the contact patch of the tire is affected.
I picked up a set of the eighteen inch Harley rims for my truck. Nine inch rim and a 275 tire.
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sorry, should have clarified. I want to increase the tire width on the stock 16 rims. I know from the SD FAQ that 295s will fit these rims, am just wondering if there is much difference in appearence as well as if I can keep the same ride height.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 64
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From: NY
You can physically fit the 295 on the stock rim.
You can mount a 315 on the stock rim.
I think it would be a mistake.
The handling will suffer and you will have premature tire wear.
I would suggest that a 265 is about as wide to safely go on the stock rim.
http://www.nittotire.com/tires_terragrappler.asp
As an example, look at the specs link on this webpage. If I recall correctly, our trucks come with a seven inch wide rim. Check out the rim width on this site for each suggested tire size. What is the ideal for a 295?
Something to think about. I see a lot of folks going for big rubber for the asthetic value. What is lost in looks, is safety and real world performance.
You can mount a 315 on the stock rim.
I think it would be a mistake.
The handling will suffer and you will have premature tire wear.
I would suggest that a 265 is about as wide to safely go on the stock rim.
http://www.nittotire.com/tires_terragrappler.asp
As an example, look at the specs link on this webpage. If I recall correctly, our trucks come with a seven inch wide rim. Check out the rim width on this site for each suggested tire size. What is the ideal for a 295?
Something to think about. I see a lot of folks going for big rubber for the asthetic value. What is lost in looks, is safety and real world performance.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: NY
Kutty Sark brings up the next point to consider.
To maintain the operation of your ABS, if so equiped, and your spedometer, you may wish to keep your outside tire diameter close to stock.
235-85-16 is the stock tire size.
265-75-16 is the optional tire size.
275-65-18 is the Harley Davidson tire size.
The first option, 235-85-16, is 31.7 inches tall as Kutty Sark states.
The second option, 265-75-16 is 31.5 inches tall.
On 18 inch rims, the 275-65-18 is 32.00 inches tall.
As Kutty Sark states, the 295-85-16 tire is 35+ inches tall!
Yee Haa! That's a big tire!
Speedo's off, ABS operation affected.
To maintain the operation of your ABS, if so equiped, and your spedometer, you may wish to keep your outside tire diameter close to stock.
235-85-16 is the stock tire size.
265-75-16 is the optional tire size.
275-65-18 is the Harley Davidson tire size.
The first option, 235-85-16, is 31.7 inches tall as Kutty Sark states.
The second option, 265-75-16 is 31.5 inches tall.
On 18 inch rims, the 275-65-18 is 32.00 inches tall.
As Kutty Sark states, the 295-85-16 tire is 35+ inches tall!
Yee Haa! That's a big tire!
Speedo's off, ABS operation affected.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
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From: USA
Hello Rockwell, welcome back!.
Sorry, you will not be able to change from 235/85-16's to 295/75-16's AND keep the same tire diameter. The 235's are about 31.5" tall and the 295's are about 33.5" tall.
However, here is some good news: 265/75-16's are the same diameter as the 235/85's and will fit the stock rim width, assuming the stock rims are 7" wide, though they would be better on 8" rims. 265's are the optional tire size Ford offered on these trucks and they will fit the truck without any suspension or fender modifications, speedometer error, or change in effective gear ratio. They are also available in 3415 lb load capacity, load range E, which will acutually be an improvement in tire load capacity over the 235's, which are rated about 3000 lbs max load.
Happy tire changing
.
Sorry, you will not be able to change from 235/85-16's to 295/75-16's AND keep the same tire diameter. The 235's are about 31.5" tall and the 295's are about 33.5" tall.
However, here is some good news: 265/75-16's are the same diameter as the 235/85's and will fit the stock rim width, assuming the stock rims are 7" wide, though they would be better on 8" rims. 265's are the optional tire size Ford offered on these trucks and they will fit the truck without any suspension or fender modifications, speedometer error, or change in effective gear ratio. They are also available in 3415 lb load capacity, load range E, which will acutually be an improvement in tire load capacity over the 235's, which are rated about 3000 lbs max load.
Happy tire changing
.
Last edited by SoCalDesertRider; Jan 2, 2005 at 04:08 PM.
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Postmaster
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I didn't see your reply while I was writing mine there Sportsman. Looks like you already answered it .
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Thread Starter
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Thank you ALL for the replies, its what makes this forum so great! Im very glad I asked before i went and did something I would regret. Awesome info in your posts!
Looks like the 265/75-16's are the size for me and my stock rims.
Many Thanx!
Looks like the 265/75-16's are the size for me and my stock rims.
Many Thanx!
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: NY
Lets complicate things a bit!
I'm in the Northeast, in the winter you need an aggressive tire tread to get you through the winter. In the summer all an aggressive tread does is make noise and rob gas.
So I bought a spare set of rims and tires. The link below is for Diversified Products, a Mom & Pop shop near the Ford factory. I've done business with them for years with my Mustang. They had / have a special on the 2004 18" Harley rims. What a nice loking rim and the plus two profile tire wheel combination looks fantastic!
With this 18 x 9 rim I went with the Harley original tire size of 275-65-18.
Wish I could post a picture!
Depending on where you're at and you finances, it might be another option.
http://www.buyfordmotorsport.com/
Good Luck!
I'm in the Northeast, in the winter you need an aggressive tire tread to get you through the winter. In the summer all an aggressive tread does is make noise and rob gas.
So I bought a spare set of rims and tires. The link below is for Diversified Products, a Mom & Pop shop near the Ford factory. I've done business with them for years with my Mustang. They had / have a special on the 2004 18" Harley rims. What a nice loking rim and the plus two profile tire wheel combination looks fantastic!
With this 18 x 9 rim I went with the Harley original tire size of 275-65-18.
Wish I could post a picture!
Depending on where you're at and you finances, it might be another option.
http://www.buyfordmotorsport.com/
Good Luck!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 218
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Rockwell,
Let me throw my hat in the ring. I went to 285/75/16's. Check out the gallery. You won't like the look of 265's either. They look too small. 265's were standard on my truck. The 285's are a perfect fit on a standard rim. 1" taller than my OEM's.
Let me throw my hat in the ring. I went to 285/75/16's. Check out the gallery. You won't like the look of 265's either. They look too small. 265's were standard on my truck. The 285's are a perfect fit on a standard rim. 1" taller than my OEM's.
