20" Wheel Questions
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20" Wheel Questions
I'm like really new to this so please take it easy on me for my lack of knowledge...I just purchased a 2006 F150 5.4 SCrew Lariat 4x4 and I've got a few questions about the observations of my truck...
1. Why did Ford choose to go with a 20" wheel?
I saw the 18" wheel on an FX and it looks really sharp and aggressive.
2. What are the major differences (besides 2") that I'll see in a 20" wheel vs. an 18" wheel if I decide to change them out?
3. In general, will 20" tires work in inclement weather? I live in Southern Ohio so it's not often we get a lot of snow but occasionally we do.
Thanks in advance,
Tom
1. Why did Ford choose to go with a 20" wheel?
I saw the 18" wheel on an FX and it looks really sharp and aggressive.
2. What are the major differences (besides 2") that I'll see in a 20" wheel vs. an 18" wheel if I decide to change them out?
3. In general, will 20" tires work in inclement weather? I live in Southern Ohio so it's not often we get a lot of snow but occasionally we do.
Thanks in advance,
Tom
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,806
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
Overall diameter of the wheels / tire package is just about exactly the same, as is width. I think that it's mostly just a "style thing" as so many have taken a liking to the "big wheel look".
The 15s of yesterday looked great to me, 31/10.50-15s being about the same diameter and width as the 275/60-18 and 275/55-20 rubber used on the 18s and 20s.
The brake / suspension package used now necessitates 17" minimum.
I suspect that there is even a faster steering response with the lower profile 20" rubber, all else being equal.
May even run cooler with shorter sidewalls to flex?
The 15s of yesterday looked great to me, 31/10.50-15s being about the same diameter and width as the 275/60-18 and 275/55-20 rubber used on the 18s and 20s.
The brake / suspension package used now necessitates 17" minimum.
I suspect that there is even a faster steering response with the lower profile 20" rubber, all else being equal.
May even run cooler with shorter sidewalls to flex?
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
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From: SE Georgia
in general terms, the 18" & 20" rims come with 32" rubber (275/65/18 or 275/55/20)
they are the same overall height, and the same width.
the rims themselves are a bit different. 18" rims are 7.5" wide, 20" rims are 8.5" wide. this is due to the sidewall height. the 20's have 1" less sidewall than a 18" rim. because of this, you need a wider rim to keep that tire bead seated...a 20x7.5 rim would pop the bead the first good whack it took.
any 2004-2010 F-150 rim will fit any other 2004-2010 F-150/Expedition/Navigator/Mark LT. They all have the same 6 lugs, same offsets and backspacing.
if you like the look of the 18's better, ask someone to trade. i can pretty much guarantee that someone will. 20's are pretty big demand. depending on how your truck's theme is, they can really look sharp IMO.
in terms of usefullness...a 20" tire is limited to it's capability offroad. there is less sidewall, so the tire can't take as much damage, and there is less room for rubber deflection. on the street, the smaller sidewall profile cuts back on sidewall sway, and allows for "sharper" manueavers.
a 18" or 20" rim will be equally good in the snow. the deciding factor there is the rubber itself. good rubber works best. and for some reason it's easier to find 20" tires than 18" tires...don't know why.
if you tow alot, the 20" and 18" rims cut your capacity by about 800 lbs. The rims aren't rated to the same specifications that a 17" rim is.
they are the same overall height, and the same width.
the rims themselves are a bit different. 18" rims are 7.5" wide, 20" rims are 8.5" wide. this is due to the sidewall height. the 20's have 1" less sidewall than a 18" rim. because of this, you need a wider rim to keep that tire bead seated...a 20x7.5 rim would pop the bead the first good whack it took.
any 2004-2010 F-150 rim will fit any other 2004-2010 F-150/Expedition/Navigator/Mark LT. They all have the same 6 lugs, same offsets and backspacing.
if you like the look of the 18's better, ask someone to trade. i can pretty much guarantee that someone will. 20's are pretty big demand. depending on how your truck's theme is, they can really look sharp IMO.
in terms of usefullness...a 20" tire is limited to it's capability offroad. there is less sidewall, so the tire can't take as much damage, and there is less room for rubber deflection. on the street, the smaller sidewall profile cuts back on sidewall sway, and allows for "sharper" manueavers.
a 18" or 20" rim will be equally good in the snow. the deciding factor there is the rubber itself. good rubber works best. and for some reason it's easier to find 20" tires than 18" tires...don't know why.
if you tow alot, the 20" and 18" rims cut your capacity by about 800 lbs. The rims aren't rated to the same specifications that a 17" rim is.
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if you tow alot, the 20" and 18" rims cut your capacity by about 800 lbs. The rims aren't rated to the same specifications that a 17" rim is.[/quote]
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TYLUS, I THINK THE LOWER TOW RATING HAS TO DO WITH THE TIRES FOR THE 18 AND 20 INCH WHEELS. FOR INSTANCE THE STOCK 20" SETUP RECIEVES A LOWER TOW RATING BECAUSE THE STOCK SCORPIONS ARE A PASSENGER TIRE AND NOT AN LT. BETTER FOR RIDE QUALITY BUT LESS LOAD CAPACITY, I COULD BE WAY WRONG BUT THE WHEELS ARE JUST FINE ITS THE STOCK TIRES.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TYLUS, I THINK THE LOWER TOW RATING HAS TO DO WITH THE TIRES FOR THE 18 AND 20 INCH WHEELS. FOR INSTANCE THE STOCK 20" SETUP RECIEVES A LOWER TOW RATING BECAUSE THE STOCK SCORPIONS ARE A PASSENGER TIRE AND NOT AN LT. BETTER FOR RIDE QUALITY BUT LESS LOAD CAPACITY, I COULD BE WAY WRONG BUT THE WHEELS ARE JUST FINE ITS THE STOCK TIRES.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,806
Likes: 2,604
From: The Shenandoah Valley
In my previous post, I goofed on the 18" tire sizes, I thought they were 275/60-18, they are 275/65-18. My mistake. I can't fix it now as the edit button is gone.
Anyway, I don't think there is anything weak about the 20" aluminum wheels. Ford and other car manufacturers hold pretty high standards on wheel strength when using outside suppliers or if done in house. I've seen the wheels in wrecks, they'll take a hit and break suspension and bend axles first.
The difference in the hauling / towing rating lies within the load ratings ascribed to the tires by the tire manufacturers after testing and approval. Smaller rim diameter with same overall outside diameter of tire, same width, means a greater volume of air and more surface area within the tire itself in the 275/65-18 ... than in the 275/55-20 tire. Air pressure faily constant at 44 psi for ratings, means more air providing support in the 18 inch tire in that comparison.
I use Tire Rack for new tires now, and that's where the links ... link to.
In the Perelli Scorpion ATRs case for example: An On/Off Road All Terrain tire with a 520AB rating.
In the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armour, On/Off Road All Terrain tire, also 520AB rated,
GoodYear does have an "E Pro-Grade" version of this same 275/65-18 tire, rated 3415 pounds at 80 psi, and that tire weighs 57 pounds each .... about 10 pounds heavier due to thicker sidewalls and tread for the higher pressures and load, probably make your truck ride about like a 36 Mack C-Cab Chain Drive on hard rubber tires.
Wow.
Anyway, I don't think there is anything weak about the 20" aluminum wheels. Ford and other car manufacturers hold pretty high standards on wheel strength when using outside suppliers or if done in house. I've seen the wheels in wrecks, they'll take a hit and break suspension and bend axles first.
The difference in the hauling / towing rating lies within the load ratings ascribed to the tires by the tire manufacturers after testing and approval. Smaller rim diameter with same overall outside diameter of tire, same width, means a greater volume of air and more surface area within the tire itself in the 275/65-18 ... than in the 275/55-20 tire. Air pressure faily constant at 44 psi for ratings, means more air providing support in the 18 inch tire in that comparison.
I use Tire Rack for new tires now, and that's where the links ... link to.
In the Perelli Scorpion ATRs case for example: An On/Off Road All Terrain tire with a 520AB rating.
- 275/55-20 is load index 111 rated 2403 pounds at 44 psi,
- 275/65-18 is load index 116 rated 2760 pounds at 44 psi,
And for comparison only: - 31x10.5R-15 is load index 109 rated 2250 pounds at 50 psi,
(note: same ratings as the ones I use on my '77 F-150)
In the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armour, On/Off Road All Terrain tire, also 520AB rated,
- 275/55-20 is load index 111 rated 2403 pounds at 44 psi,
- 275/65-18 is load index 114 rated 2601 pounds at 44 psi,
GoodYear does have an "E Pro-Grade" version of this same 275/65-18 tire, rated 3415 pounds at 80 psi, and that tire weighs 57 pounds each .... about 10 pounds heavier due to thicker sidewalls and tread for the higher pressures and load, probably make your truck ride about like a 36 Mack C-Cab Chain Drive on hard rubber tires.
Wow.
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