Need More Ground Clearance
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 3
From: Northern New Mexico
Need More Ground Clearance
I run a '99 PSD F-250 4WD with stock wheels with 265R7516 M&S tires. Today I had to shovel our way out of the snow for the fourth time this winter. I occured to me that if I ran taller tires that provided more ground clearance, I might not get stuck as often. Stuck being wheel spin cause the truck is grounded.
I see that many drivers have gone to larger diameter wheels rather than just taller 16". Is there a benefit to 17, 18, 19.5, 20, 22 inch wheels over 16s? I guess with the 19.5 inch the tire options extend into the f and g load capacities. What other advantage are there? For example, if I went to a 20 inch wheel could I run 9X20 military tires on a Super Duty (assuming enough lift for clearance)? I have 9X20s on a 1942 Chevy 1 1/2 ton 4X4 and am very happy with their mud and snow capabilities.
Do 20 inch wheels require an adapter from the wheel hub to the bolt pattern of the 20 inch wheel?
I see that many drivers have gone to larger diameter wheels rather than just taller 16". Is there a benefit to 17, 18, 19.5, 20, 22 inch wheels over 16s? I guess with the 19.5 inch the tire options extend into the f and g load capacities. What other advantage are there? For example, if I went to a 20 inch wheel could I run 9X20 military tires on a Super Duty (assuming enough lift for clearance)? I have 9X20s on a 1942 Chevy 1 1/2 ton 4X4 and am very happy with their mud and snow capabilities.
Do 20 inch wheels require an adapter from the wheel hub to the bolt pattern of the 20 inch wheel?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Rancho Cucamonga USA
For offroad use a 16" wheel with a 35" tire is better than a 20" wheel because you have a taller sidewall and when you air down it bulges out more and gives you a better foot print for traction. I went with 17" because they were in stock and I was too impatient to wait for the 16" wheels.
I think your logic is good about a taller tire but unless you install a lift I don't think a 35" tire will fit. A 33" isn't going to get you much over the 265. According to the Procomp tire chart a 265/75-16 is 31.6 in diameter so a 33 is only 1.4" larger in diameter. For reference, the Procomp 35/12.50-16 has a 3195lb load rating and the 35/12.50-17 has 3000lb rating.
The Procomp chart may be helpful
http://www.procomptires.com/allterrain.html#
The people that go with large diameter wheels like the looks I think.
Michael
I think your logic is good about a taller tire but unless you install a lift I don't think a 35" tire will fit. A 33" isn't going to get you much over the 265. According to the Procomp tire chart a 265/75-16 is 31.6 in diameter so a 33 is only 1.4" larger in diameter. For reference, the Procomp 35/12.50-16 has a 3195lb load rating and the 35/12.50-17 has 3000lb rating.
The Procomp chart may be helpful
http://www.procomptires.com/allterrain.html#
The people that go with large diameter wheels like the looks I think.
Michael
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 3
From: Northern New Mexico
Rikosinte:
Thanks for the info. Th truck has lots of clearance as I resprung it with three leaves in the front and five in the back. Each leaf is 13/32 thick. I have no idea what they came out of. The result is 14 inches from the top of the rear wheel to the wheel well "fender" in back and 9 nches in front. This is with no payload. ALthough, with 3,300 pound of ceramic floor tile, the springs barely moved. The bottom line is there ought to be plenty of room for a taller tire.
I have no problem with a 34 or 35 inch tire on a 16 inch wheel. I just wondered if I was missing something with the smaller sidewall tires (70s) on a larger diameter wheel. I guess the answer is not much from a working standpoint.
On the other hand, if I could run 9X20 milspec tires, that would look cool, although the ride at 80 MPH might be a tad bumpy.
Thanks for the info. Th truck has lots of clearance as I resprung it with three leaves in the front and five in the back. Each leaf is 13/32 thick. I have no idea what they came out of. The result is 14 inches from the top of the rear wheel to the wheel well "fender" in back and 9 nches in front. This is with no payload. ALthough, with 3,300 pound of ceramic floor tile, the springs barely moved. The bottom line is there ought to be plenty of room for a taller tire.
I have no problem with a 34 or 35 inch tire on a 16 inch wheel. I just wondered if I was missing something with the smaller sidewall tires (70s) on a larger diameter wheel. I guess the answer is not much from a working standpoint.
On the other hand, if I could run 9X20 milspec tires, that would look cool, although the ride at 80 MPH might be a tad bumpy.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jibronee
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
24
Jun 29, 2012 07:06 PM
bobj49f2
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Sep 6, 2005 12:58 PM
