Tire sizes with leveling kit?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,544
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From: Suffolk, VA
I had 315s on mine when I bought it, and hated them. Made the steering difficult to turn when stopped or at low speeds, the power steering whined, and they rubbed way before full lock so the turning radius sucked. I put some 285s on there and it's perfect, steers great, a lot less whining and no rubbing. And I noticed better acceleration and transmission shifting manners with the gear ratio/tire height back to something livable.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Memphis
I had 315s on mine when I bought it, and hated them. Made the steering difficult to turn when stopped or at low speeds, the power steering whined, and they rubbed way before full lock so the turning radius sucked. I put some 285s on there and it's perfect, steers great, a lot less whining and no rubbing. And I noticed better acceleration and transmission shifting manners with the gear ratio/tire height back to something livable.
My acceleration is pretty bad right now.....actually it holds the gears too long, especially 3rd to 4th. My neighbor (a mechanic at Ford) took it to work today to try and reflash (or whatever it is called) the truck to let it know that there are no longer stock tires on it. Hopefully that helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,544
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From: Suffolk, VA
Well I do have the front leveling spring kit (2 or 3" can't remember). So lift isn't the issue. I could have had 10" of lift, but the front tires still would have rubbed the inside sidewall on the springs and been just as hard to turn. And the gearing certainly would still have been the same.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
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I have a 2.5" spring kit in my truck 2003 F350 and I run 35/12.50/16.5 with no daily problems. I had to trim the lower air dam about 1 inch. If you did not know you would never see it. My tires do rub if I hit a ditch while at full turn. Never rub on the road.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
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From: Hampton, Maryland.
Well I do have the front leveling spring kit (2 or 3" can't remember). So lift isn't the issue. I could have had 10" of lift, but the front tires still would have rubbed the inside sidewall on the springs and been just as hard to turn. And the gearing certainly would still have been the same.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 4
From: Suffolk, VA
Yes I agree, and I guess that was my point. You need to have a wheel with less backspacing, but even then I wanted to point out the gearing will suck with the taller tires, and it's a lot more stress on the steering pump and gear box. Just something to be aware of if one decided to go with 35s or 315s
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Dirtyweekender77
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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