I know that I posted this in two different spots, hoping that you pre '97's have done this before and you would see it here more than in the tire section.

I am looking at increasing my tire width. I want a wider and better handling tire and better traction to boot. I have had different tire shops say that I can go to 255/70R15's but they are only about 3/4" wider than my 235/75R15's that I have on now.
I would like to go to 275/60R15's but I am not sure on the clearance for turning on the front end. Anyone have or had this setup on their truck of this era?

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

---------------------------------
1994 F-150 XLT Supercab, Long Box, 302 EFI, 3.55 LS, K&N FIPK, Bosch Platinum +4 Spark Plugs, Automatic, Single Catalytic converter, followed by a Raven Z-55 muffler and finished off with chrome tips (2 1/2" to 3"), Royal Blue in and out, Captain Chairs. Chrome Rims 15x8's, Michelin LTX M/S 105S 235/75R15 (Summer), OEM Aluminum Rims 15x8's, Michelin LTX M/S 108S (Winter), Lightly Tinted, Soft Tonneau Cover, Ford Receiver Hitch Cover & Lock, J&J Enterprises Stainless Steel AirDam with KC driving lights, Lund Supersteps, Lighted Grab Bars, VTech Slotted Taillight Covers, Alpine CDM-7829 Head Unit, PPI 4800 Amplifier, Kicker 10" Solo Baric Sub with Custom Box and Kicker Impulse 6.5 Mid & Tweets.

 

I've got 31"x10.5"R15's on mine which is like a 265/75R15 I believe, and my tires DO rub on the front radius arms when at full steering lock (I dont really notice it but there is a warn down spot with bare metal showing at the right spot on the arm where the tire would make contact)

1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)

 

I have 31"x10.50r15 on my 1986 F150 4x4 and they do rub, but I think that I have to get some Front end work done so that could be the problem. I don't know if this will help you at all. Try Four Wheeler magazines they sometimes have a what fits what hits article.

Canadian Ford man
1986 x2 F150's 302's
1985 F250 4x4 351W
1984 F150 XLT 351W

 

You say you want better traction and better handling. Your going to a wider tire = less pounds per sq in. You might want to rethink what you want and what you need per the surface you want to maximize traction on. Ice and snow packed roads, go narrower for better traction. Sand and mud, go wider for better floatation.

Carlos

 

I also have had up to size 31's on my truck. They did rub a little on the radius arms and that was after front end work. I just delt with it and knew not to turn too far when in a tight area. I also agree with Carlos. Better handeling and tighter turning radius with narrow tires. Narrow for snow and rain. Wider for sand and mud.

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.

 

i used to hae 275-60-15 dunlops on 15x8 rims on a '85 F-150, and they did not rub at all. I think they would look great on your truck

 

I had 275/60-15's on the Back of a 1990 F150 and 255/60-15's on the front. They were on neutral offset 8" Aluminum slots and I had no problems what so ever with them. They didn't stick out of the wheel wheels but an inch and looked really good on there. They also held the road like crazy. I was running Hoosier Radial GT's on mine. This truck was a 2wd F150 XLT Lariet. 351/5 Speed. Wish I had kept it. I haven't seen another 351/5speed 1/2 ton that started life like that since then.

Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6

 

That sounds like a really tough truck, I luv my 302/5-speed combo just because of the 5-speed, I was looking about 3 months before I bought my truck and couldn't for the life of me find
a) air bag
b) 351
c) 5-speed
d)4x4 if less than $10k

I found one 351 4x4 with auto but they wanted $12k for it, when I found my truck I had to buy just because of the color...

1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)

 

I would love to find another. I was told by a dealer that this truck didn't exist. "Ford never put a 5 speed behind a 351 in a 2 wheel drive" they said. left them scratching thier chin when I pulled up and they saw the VIN said it was a 351 and the emission sticker said 351. The door sticker said it was a ZF 5 speed! lol. pretty quick for a truck and pulled awesome for a 1/2 ton. Dumbest thing I ever did was trade it in. Had 175,000 miles on it.

Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6

 

I have 31X10.5 15" LT's on Ford 15X8 steel rims and I have no rubbing at all. I run them at 45 PSI and get great traction in all conditions (it's a truck, I'm not expecting slot car handling).

1992 F150 Supercab SB 4x4 302 AOD 3.55 31x10.5 All Terrain on Ford 15x8 Ralleys

 

I'm pretty sure it rubs there buddy, i dont notice mine rubbing but I can see the effects on my radius arms, a nice shiny spot right there, and if you turn the wheel to full lock, get out and look, its touching...maybe your tires are worn down or something? My A/T's have about 1" to 1.5" of tread on them (maybe 6k miles on them)

1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)

 

The 31" tires are 3" taller than the 275/60R15's (28" in height). The traction that I am mainly looking for is strictly for the summer. These tires will be on my set of chrome rims which are used in between the months of April and November. I would like to have more traction in the wet conditions compared to the 235's I have now. They would help out at the occassional trip to Milan Dragway (twice a year) with the other guys & girls from here in Windsor & Michigan. Thanks for all of help and keep the comments coming.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

------------------------------------------
1994 F-150 XLT Supercab, Long Box, 302 EFI, 3.55 LS, K&N FIPK, Bosch Platinum +4 Spark Plugs, Automatic, Single Catalytic converter, followed by a Raven Z-55 muffler and finished off with chrome tips (2 1/2" to 3"), Royal Blue in and out, Captain Chairs. Chrome Rims 15x8's, Michelin LTX M/S 105S 235/75R15 (Summer), OEM Aluminum Rims 15x8's, Michelin LTX M/S 108S (Winter), Lightly Tinted, Soft Tonneau Cover, Ford Receiver Hitch Cover & Lock, J&J Enterprises Stainless Steel AirDam with KC driving lights, Lund Supersteps, Lighted Grab Bars, VTech Slotted Taillight Covers, Alpine CDM-7829 Head Unit, PPI 4800 Amplifier, Kicker 10" Solo Baric Sub with Custom Box and Kicker Impulse 6.5 Mid & Tweets.

 

Around here, most guys run the 30x9.50 or 31x10.50 on their stock rigs. But they will rub on the radius arms.

 

Kevint. NO rubbing lock to lock. 6K miles on the tires. A heavy AT lug. Maybe its the wheels, yours could be set back further than the Ford factory rims?

1992 F150 Supercab SB 4x4 302 AOD 3.55 31x10.5 All Terrain on Ford 15x8 Ralleys

 

I have the gray factory "styled steel wheels" on my ride, default backspacing no mods to the rims

1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)