Upsizing Tires
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
Upsizing Tires
I have a question for you guys. I recenty bought a 1999 F350 2x4 Crew Cab Dually. I need tires that will not bog down in south Florida's soft sandy soil and that are also good on the road. I live in south Florida and as soon as I get off of the pavment (my driveway and yard!), I start sinking. My truck has stock 215/85/16's on stock 16x6 rims. I also want to go to a larger diameter tire without changing ($) rims. Also, what about the idea of wider tires up front? Pros-Cons 
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Durham, NC
The overall diameter of your tires is about 30.38 in so any change you make should be closer to that.
The tires you have now are extremely skinny. Good for fuel economy, bad for certain kinds of offroading conditions where you want more "floatation".
265/70R16 will be almost the same overall diameter but give you a lot more width. They are safe for a rim width of anywhere from 7 to 9 inches. There are a lot of different offroad tires available in that size. It's not too terribly wide, though, so it should still have good road manners.
I'm not going to presume to have enough experience with Florida's sandy soil. If it's anything like southern New Jersey's sandy soil, BF Goodrich A/T's were almost useless. I did a lot better with some big lugged mud tires out there but I wasn't out there much. Someone who spends more time in the sand will have to tell you about what tread design would work best.
The tires you have now are extremely skinny. Good for fuel economy, bad for certain kinds of offroading conditions where you want more "floatation".
265/70R16 will be almost the same overall diameter but give you a lot more width. They are safe for a rim width of anywhere from 7 to 9 inches. There are a lot of different offroad tires available in that size. It's not too terribly wide, though, so it should still have good road manners.
I'm not going to presume to have enough experience with Florida's sandy soil. If it's anything like southern New Jersey's sandy soil, BF Goodrich A/T's were almost useless. I did a lot better with some big lugged mud tires out there but I wasn't out there much. Someone who spends more time in the sand will have to tell you about what tread design would work best.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
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From: Lynnwood, WA
I think you sink the front most and not the rear because of the DRW, s the front is more important. Your wheels are little narrow for that, but you can probably squeeze in two LT245/75R16Es there. Another option would be rear 235/85R16s with front 265/75R16s, but that would definitely require new front wheels, and I don't know if they would fit your truck. Actually, since you have no 4WD, you can use 265/75R16 on the fronteven with the current rear tires, though they may look a little uneven.
Last edited by aurgathor; Jul 24, 2006 at 01:38 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 132
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From: Durham, NC
One other thing... on one of my trucks I had an EZ-Locker installed in the rear. This was on a 4x4 but I hardly ever needed 4WD after that, even on the offroad trails. The locker WILL change on-road driving characteristics but also it helps immensely in places where one of the rear tires is not getting traction. About six years ago it cost me about $200 for the EZ-Locker and another $200 in labor from a competent shop to have it installed. Once you learn how to drive a truck with a locker you don't even realize it is there except you don't get stuck nearly as easily.
I will probably be putting an EZ-Locker on my "new" 81 F150 4x2 that I just got today.
I will probably be putting an EZ-Locker on my "new" 81 F150 4x2 that I just got today.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
You could also try to look for 285/70R16 or 32x12.50R16 in D or E for the front. Ask nearby tire shops if they can get anyting wider than 265 that fits your truck, and has a high enough load range. In sandy soil, you want tires as wide as possible.
Last edited by aurgathor; Jul 26, 2006 at 02:18 AM.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
Thanks for the info guys!
After talking to my locals, I'll probably go with 265/75/16's, E load range, Nitto Terra Grapplers all the way around. I'll need small spacers for the rears, and l'll be able to rotate when all is said and done.
Opps!! I just got off of the phone with my mechanic. The tire situation is on hold for now. My catalytic converter is plugged up and the back pressures are rising and I might cook my turbo if I don't fix the problem. A new exhaust system is the priority now, the tires will have to wait. Since I'm also looking for better milage, I've been told to increase the pipe diameter all the way from the down pipes, eliminate the cat and put on a less restrictive muffler. I have the K&N FIPK system and a Supership system. Any ideas???
After talking to my locals, I'll probably go with 265/75/16's, E load range, Nitto Terra Grapplers all the way around. I'll need small spacers for the rears, and l'll be able to rotate when all is said and done.
Opps!! I just got off of the phone with my mechanic. The tire situation is on hold for now. My catalytic converter is plugged up and the back pressures are rising and I might cook my turbo if I don't fix the problem. A new exhaust system is the priority now, the tires will have to wait. Since I'm also looking for better milage, I've been told to increase the pipe diameter all the way from the down pipes, eliminate the cat and put on a less restrictive muffler. I have the K&N FIPK system and a Supership system. Any ideas???
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Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,353
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From: SW VA
For a diesel...I would suggest at least 4" pipe all the way back.
Also...cat converters are required for inspection and emissions (if your state does emissions testing). If your state doesnt do testing...then you could gut the cat...that way, for visual inspections, it will look like they are there.
Also...cat converters are required for inspection and emissions (if your state does emissions testing). If your state doesnt do testing...then you could gut the cat...that way, for visual inspections, it will look like they are there.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
Florida doesn't do inspections any longer. I'll have to do some mufflering though. The City of West Palm Beach has ordinances in regards to loud noises. Loud automobile music and exhausts are big complaint issues here. All the officers have decible meters and they will stop you in a heart beat!
Are there any brands of exhaust systems to stay away from. Since my neighbor will install it cheap, I'll have the extra cash to purchase a longer lasting system. Any suggestions?
Are there any brands of exhaust systems to stay away from. Since my neighbor will install it cheap, I'll have the extra cash to purchase a longer lasting system. Any suggestions?
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