Tire size.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Tire size.
I'm an owner of a 1977 Ford F-250 2wd pickup truck. Currently on the truck are 16.5" inch tires, all of which are nearly bald. Now a friend has a ford passenger car he's getting ready to "scrap". He's offered me his 15" set of tires (nearly new) for $25. What I would like to do is to buy his set of tires, and a set of 4 15" rims (which I've already priced at $130 brand new), and put them on the pickup. As you can see this would be much cheaper than paying well over $400 for a new set of 16.5" tires.
Now my main question is this. Would there be any problems putting the smaller tires on the pickup in relation to how the truck handles?
Now my main question is this. Would there be any problems putting the smaller tires on the pickup in relation to how the truck handles?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 133
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Tire size.
You are going to loose hauling capacity by putting on car tires, I dont think that stepping down to a 15 inch tire will make that much difference if you go with a truck tire designed to carry the weight but your truck probably weighs around 5000 pounds empty, passanger cars probably range from 1500 (geo) to 3500 (crown vic). Just with that you are looking at around 1000 pounds difference. The trouble will most likely be in the form of sidewall roll when cornering, and lose of carrying capacity. When I've overloaded my F-250 Camper Special it has been the 16.5's that were the limiting factor. Good luck but if you step down I would go with a tire suited to your application.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Paola, KS
Tire size.
Passenger car tire are not rated to carry the weight of a truck. Putting 15" rims on shouldn't be a problem although sometimes a 15" rim won't clear the front brake calipers on a 250 or 350.
Brian:P
Brian:P
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
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From: Apple Valley CA USA
Tire size.
i am pretty sure that the 15's won't work on your F250. the front brakes should be discs on a late model truck and i am pretty sure a 15 inch rim won't clear the caliper. 16 inch is the smallest that will work on an F250 with front disc brakes. hawkrod
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Carmichael
Tire size.
My friend,
You are being penny wise & pound foolish. The point of owning a 3/4 ton or heavier rated truck is to be able to haul a load safely. If you are this concered about the cost of a set of truck tires, you'd be better off selling the truck and bying a car. Your main problem is that with auto tires, you will overload them with any load at all. You might check on the weight of your friends car and compare it to the 5,000 + pounds that your truck weighs.
You are being penny wise & pound foolish. The point of owning a 3/4 ton or heavier rated truck is to be able to haul a load safely. If you are this concered about the cost of a set of truck tires, you'd be better off selling the truck and bying a car. Your main problem is that with auto tires, you will overload them with any load at all. You might check on the weight of your friends car and compare it to the 5,000 + pounds that your truck weighs.
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