what size tires

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Oct 14, 2007 | 10:59 PM

03PwrStk

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what size tires

I just bought a 2003 Ford CC 4x4. It came with 285-65-16. Does anyone know if this is the biggest tire i can fit under there without putting a leveling kit or a lift on it?

Oct 14, 2007 | 11:02 PM

Storm

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From: Neptune Beach, FL

285/75R16 is the biggest without rubbing... anything more and you'll touch the leafs

Oct 16, 2007 | 12:35 AM

03PwrStk

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So will i have to change wheels to be able to get 35 inch tires under there. Besides adding a 2" leveling kit to it.

Oct 16, 2007 | 12:36 AM

Storm

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From: Neptune Beach, FL

You'll need at least a 4" lift to fit 35's.. You can put 35's on stock wheel however you'll need to push the steer stops out to keep the wheels from hitting the leafs.. This will however reduce your turning radius more unless you just put on 4.5 backspaced wheels.

Oct 16, 2007 | 02:12 AM

BC Powerstroke

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I have 2 sets of 35's (on stock 16 wheels and 20 wheels) on my 2003 that has a levelling kit. Only the 35's on 20 wheels just barely touch the back of my wheel well at full turn when the suspension is slightly compressed (ie hitting a bump, driveway and etc). My backspacing on the 20" wheel gives a slightly bigger offset than the stock 16 wheels with 35's which is why the slightly rub. The 35's on stock 16 do not rub but very close (say 1/8 inch clearance)

However both 35 inch sets do not touch the leafs on my truck.

In general you can live with a levelly kit for 35's if done absolutly perfect (ie specific backspacing and tire selection). However to absolutely clear 35's a 4" lift kit is recomended for the 2003.

Oct 16, 2007 | 09:20 AM

Storm

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From: Neptune Beach, FL

I'd love to know how your 35's on 16" Factory Wheels dont rub on your 2003.. Even with my 4" lift they still touched the leafs.. I haven't seen/heard of one that didn't.. Perhaps your turn stops are further out then spec.. Generally the factory turn stop spec will put the outer tread lugs right against the rear section of the leaf..

If yours dont touch.. Your lucky

I went through crap for a month with factory wheels until my 16x10s showed up.. Everytime I turned it was rubbing..

Last edited by Storm; Oct 16, 2007 at 09:32 AM.

Oct 16, 2007 | 12:39 PM

BC Powerstroke

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From: Vancouver, BC Canada

I purchased my truck used at 50,000km with 35" Dick Cepek FC-II on stock wheels. It could be the original owner may have adjusted the turn stops as I never really cared to look.

My turning radius is not great but that is the case with 03/04 SD with front leafs. I purposely purchased the front leaf set up as the 05 and up with the IFS are not as robust. We had 2 of the newer IFS trucks lost one of the front wheel susepnsions in heavy pot holes (sheared right off) on the oil mine roads (empty 1 ton truck). The bill for each of them under warranty was $7,000. None of the leaf set ups we have had any issues with this regard but it does make for a harder ride.