I am looking to get bigger tires. I am currently running BFG's all terrains 265/75/R16 on stock rims. will the same brand tire in 33X12.5RR 16.5 fit? Would there be any isssues as far as cupping goes? if not, what is the nearest equivalent, 305's, 315's? I am also contemplating add-a-leafs. Thanks for the input!

 

A 33 inch tall tire will clear a stock-ride-height truck, no problem there. However, you'll have to get new rims if you want to run those 33x12.50x16.5's. Mounting 16.5 inch tires on the stock 16 inch rims (or any 16 inch rims, for that matter) is an invitation for disaster. The comparable LT metric size is a 285/75R16. It works out to 33 inches tall, 11.5 inch section width - so it's about an inch narrower than the 33x12.5's, but I don't think that's much of an issue. I can tell you that they fit just fine with the stock rims - I'm running 285/75R16 BFG All-Terrains right now. They're a great all-purpose tire, and they've got great grip and a long service life. As far as cupping goes, I've never had any problems with it, but I do an alignment atleast once a year and I rotate the tires every oil change.

Now, if you're thinking about add-a-leafs (I'm assuming you mean one of the many 2" front leveling kits out there), I'd get some new rims and bolt on a set of 35s (or equivalent). They'll fill the wheelwells better and give you an additional inch of ground clearance. Again, though, you'll have to get rims to run pretty much any 35 inch tire - most of them are too wide to run on a stock rim. If you're looking at BFGs, you've got a bunch of options in that size. Sticking with the A/Ts, you could run a 315/75R16, a 35x12.50x16.5, or a 315/70R17 - they are identical within a tenth of an inch in outside dimensions; it all depends on the rim you want to run and how much green you want to part with.

Of course, you could go absolutely nuts and look into 18 or 20 inch rims, but that takes some serious long green ....

 

thanks for the response. I was just looking at 285/75/R16, but was just curious about the 33's. Can I run 285's on a stock level truck. If so, can I run them without any trimming? I have a early 99 and it sits higher stock than my dad's '02 crew cab, so my intuition says I will be safe.

 

My 02 is stock height (for now), and the 285s clear everything just fine. No trimming necessary - they're only about an inch taller than the stock tires. My buddy runs 'em on his 99 without any issues, too.

 

I am running the 285/75-16's on my 2002 F350 2wd and have not had any problems at all. It is a little tight, but it has never rubbed once. I do not have any lift on the truck at all, it is all stock. With a 4X4 you should be in better shape.

 

I am running 305/70-16's on 16x8's, with a leveling kit, and they rub in a twist and turn situation. I definitely couldn't fit a larger tire without more lift.

I did have 285/75-16's on my stock wheels, at stock height and they fit fine - no rubbing issues at all.

If you want a better looking bigger tire with NO possible fitment issues - personally I'd slap 285's on the stock wheels.

 

I sent you a PM

kenzmad

 

Before lifting my truck, I ran 295/75/16's on factory rims with no rubbing issues. No offroading or anything like that.