I have a '99 F 150 ext cab that I just got new wheels and tires for. We went with Goodyear MTR's 285 75 16's on a 16 x 9 wheel. There has been trouble getting them to balance proper. Something to do with them not being able to place the weights right, cuz they would rub. (I don't understand this.. so my description is lame, sorry.) There was also some trouble with the Upper control arm rubbing the right front wheel on the inside, for which they ground it (control arm) down a little... and a cotter (spelling?) pin flicking off the weights on one of the back tires. Are these common type problems to run into?? Seems to me like the wheels are just too big. As for the Goodyear MTR's... does anyone have any comments on their handling for regular driving conditions? (ie. highway/ gravel roads, light off road) Sorry if this doesn't make any sense, but I really need some help here. I have a feeling this shop is trying to mess with me. Thanks for any help... -Jenn

 

I forgot one other question I had. Assuming I get this problem straightened out, what can I do to get back the acceleration "ummph"? I have definitely noticed a difference since the new wheels/tires, and it is driving me nuts. I am stock everything 'cept the wheels/tires and exhaust, (duel pipes from the cats back, just straight pipes... no muffler or anything) Do I have to change the gear ratio, or is there other things I can do to bring it back up to what it was before? BTW.. trucks got the 4.6 liter V8, which was surprisingly peppy before. Thanks again.... -Jenn

 

The answer is simple: The wheels do not fit your truck! It was not designed for such wide rims. Also, look at the circumference of the tires you just bought; they are much larger than what was specified for your truck. You have now messed up the calibration of your speedometer and altered the final drive ratio considerably. The problems you have introduced to your powertrain control module (or whatever they call it) is significant. Generally speaking, you could go to a "slightly" wider wheel size, but 9" is ridiculous. You would need wheels with a built in offset (and its attendant problems) or spacers to move the wheels outboard (and their attendant problems). This sounds like a poorly thought out modification by some mental midgets (grinding control arms for clearance! sheesh).

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 29-Aug-01 AT 06:04 PM (EST)[/font][p]The wheels are not too wide. I have 16x10" wheels and 35" tires on my truck and I have a friend who is running 16x12" wheels with 37" tires. The problem is that the backspacing is off. you need to go back to the shop and tell them you need a wheel with 4.5" of back spacing. I guarantee you that nothing will rub. As for the speedo problem, it depends on what year your truck is. I have a 97 and was able to swap the VSS gear and it corrected the speedo and shift points. 98's also have the VSS gear. You have a 99 and on 99's and newer, you will either have to beg the dealership to reprogram the computer (they hate to do that), get a performance chip with a custom program (I have a Superchip and can give you contact info on how to get it for less than what most places are charging), or sometimes a Hypertech power programmer will work. Superlift is also supposed to be coming out with a new device called a Tru-Speed to correct speedo's on computer controlled trucks, but I haven't seen it hit the market yet. As far as tires, a stock 97-current F-150 4x4 can fit 33" tires with no lift (285/75-16 & 305/70-16 are both 33" tires) but in some cases people have had to give the torsion bars a couple of turn up front. Hope this helps.

Lok