Tires 101
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Des Moines, IA
Tires 101
I did a search and can't find the thread that discussed maximum size tire for the 7" rims. I'm looking at the T/A KO's so I did a bit of digging at the BFG web site and I need a bit of advice.
I'm wanting something wider than the 235/85's I currently have and keep the same rims but the local tire guy says that's as wide as I can go on a 7" rim. Not so according to BFG but I want to make sure the wider tire (265/75) looks ok on a 7" rim and nobody here has had any negative experiences.
Here's how they compare:
Size / Rec. Rim Width / Section Width / Overall Dia.
235/85 / 6-7 / 9.4" / 31.7
265/75 / 7-8 / 10.6" / 31.7
Load ranges are the same.
By the Rim Width Range it should work but will it "look" good on the narrower end of the "rim width" scale?
And more importantly, there aren't any clearance issues on a 97 F250 4x4, are there?
I know this may be old news but I couldn't locate the info.
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm wanting something wider than the 235/85's I currently have and keep the same rims but the local tire guy says that's as wide as I can go on a 7" rim. Not so according to BFG but I want to make sure the wider tire (265/75) looks ok on a 7" rim and nobody here has had any negative experiences.
Here's how they compare:
Size / Rec. Rim Width / Section Width / Overall Dia.
235/85 / 6-7 / 9.4" / 31.7
265/75 / 7-8 / 10.6" / 31.7
Load ranges are the same.
By the Rim Width Range it should work but will it "look" good on the narrower end of the "rim width" scale?
And more importantly, there aren't any clearance issues on a 97 F250 4x4, are there?
I know this may be old news but I couldn't locate the info.
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,606
Likes: 13
From: Belair md
i ran 265\75\16's on my old 97 250 before i lifted it and they did not rub anything.
i still have the stock rims on this truck and have 315\75\16's with no problems, i ran load d's on both trucks with that size tire and towed plenty with no problems and lots of miles to back them. i ran bfg at's and the bfg mt's. i really like the mud terrains better, they are the exact same rubber compound but much more agressive, i had no tire noise and they got over 70k out of my last set. the at's are on the truck right now but i regret not getting the mt's. they are a much meaner tire and do better in deep mud and deep snow
i still have the stock rims on this truck and have 315\75\16's with no problems, i ran load d's on both trucks with that size tire and towed plenty with no problems and lots of miles to back them. i ran bfg at's and the bfg mt's. i really like the mud terrains better, they are the exact same rubber compound but much more agressive, i had no tire noise and they got over 70k out of my last set. the at's are on the truck right now but i regret not getting the mt's. they are a much meaner tire and do better in deep mud and deep snow
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,574
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From: knoxville, tn
265s will work fine, my dad ran 305s on his stock wheels with no problems, but I will note that with that wide of tire it seemed like you were riding on a bubble if you know what I mean, I run 285s and like them very much, I even convinced daddio to run 285s this last set and he is much happier with how it rides and handles
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From: Des Moines, IA
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They do look good. I think I like the looks better than the KO's.
How are they for 5th wheel/highway use? And how do they wear with the independent fronts on the F250's? I've always learned that a continuous tread pattern, or as close as you can get, is better for tire wear on the independent front suspensions of the F250's.
I would go with a mild lift and taller tire but the primary use for my truck is towing our 5th wheel and it's boarderline too high as it is. So I need to stay as close to stock height as possible... unfortunately.
I'll have to do a bit more comparing and thinking about the KO's and KM's.
Anyone here have a complete set of lug nuts for the aluminum rims that you may want to sell? I purchased a set of take-offs yesterday to replace my steel rims and they didn't come with nuts.
Thanks everyone!
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Are these the M/T's you were refering to?
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They do look good. I think I like the looks better than the KO's.
How are they for 5th wheel/highway use? And how do they wear with the independent fronts on the F250's? I've always learned that a continuous tread pattern, or as close as you can get, is better for tire wear on the independent front suspensions of the F250's.
I would go with a mild lift and taller tire but the primary use for my truck is towing our 5th wheel and it's boarderline too high as it is. So I need to stay as close to stock height as possible... unfortunately.
I'll have to do a bit more comparing and thinking about the KO's and KM's.
Anyone here have a complete set of lug nuts for the aluminum rims that you may want to sell? I purchased a set of take-offs yesterday to replace my steel rims and they didn't come with nuts.
Thanks everyone!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
The nuts for the steelies and aluminum wheel are the same. I would recommend getting some 2 inch deep acorn chrome lug nuts. Then paint the hubs black! looks much better than the center caps and they don't fall off.
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From: Des Moines, IA
Originally Posted by tjbeggs
The nuts for the steelies and aluminum wheel are the same. I would recommend getting some 2 inch deep acorn chrome lug nuts. Then paint the hubs black! looks much better than the center caps and they don't fall off.
Did I buy the wrong rims?
I bought them from a tire store that deals in new rims and has a load of new take-offs. They are 16x7 with what appears to be a 6.5 bolt pattern (that's not an accurate measuement). Offset seems to be within an eigth inch (again, not really accurate) but they require flat washer nuts.
They were also stored with the proper Ford center caps.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,606
Likes: 13
From: Belair md
those look like they are off an 05 and newer truck.
and yes those are the mt's i ran, for 5th wheel i dont know, they only come in d range, the at's come in e's. both my trucks were 250's and i had no abnormal wear issues,
and yes those are the mt's i ran, for 5th wheel i dont know, they only come in d range, the at's come in e's. both my trucks were 250's and i had no abnormal wear issues,
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Des Moines, IA
Crap! You're right! How could I have missed the fact they were 8 lug?!!
Good thing I haven't mounted any tires on it, eh? I guess that's what happens when ya get all excited about new rims! I had the right ones in my hands when a buddy says, hey, here's a set... and they are much nicer. I didn't even look.
Go figure... they were the only set without any significant blems. Grrrrr.
Man, do I feel stupid.
Good thing I haven't mounted any tires on it, eh? I guess that's what happens when ya get all excited about new rims! I had the right ones in my hands when a buddy says, hey, here's a set... and they are much nicer. I didn't even look.
Go figure... they were the only set without any significant blems. Grrrrr.
Man, do I feel stupid.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,606
Likes: 13
From: Belair md
ours are 8 lug too, just standard bolt pattern vs metric. try to stick one rim on to see what happens, there are several people that claim those wheels do fit our trucks but i have never tried. how about you play guineua pig for us?
if you tow a fifth wheel then i wouldn t go more then 4 inch and 33's you can still get leaf springs for a 4 inch lift too
if you tow a fifth wheel then i wouldn t go more then 4 inch and 33's you can still get leaf springs for a 4 inch lift too
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Des Moines, IA
Originally Posted by c00nhunterjoe
ours are 8 lug too, just standard bolt pattern vs metric. ....
I need to get my head in gear and stop getting ready for company.
"What Honey? No, I'm on the forum, can you finish up everything before family gets here?"
Ya, right. Not if I don't want to get castrated.
See where my head is today?
Sure, I'll do the guinea pig thing, but is it recommended with heavy loads?
Give me until tomorrow.