Gonna need tires soon, trying to decide what size...
 

I bought my 97 F250 PSD (E4OD/4.10LS rear) almost a year ago. Been going through it fixing a bunch of issues here and there. Here in the next month or so I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and put some tires on the ol girl. It's a super cab long bed 2wd "Grandpa Truck" if I remember correctly the factory specified tire is LT235/85R16 load range E. I have been considering staying the same height, but going to wider tire, thinking a 265/75R16. I could be wrong but it seems like doing this would give me a little more lateral stability. This truck is a 3 season tow rig, I have a slide in camper that rides in the box and pull a 20' car trailer I use to haul my wheeling rig to different OHV trails and events. Any thoughts on running this size tire (LT265/75R16) on a 2wd? Or would I be better off sticking with the factory size? Oh I also am planning on installing air bags in the rear to help level things out if needed.

Thats a good size for our 2wd trucks.
Heres a pic of mine with 285-75-16


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...52380e42bd.jpg

Forgot to add I added 2" spacer on the front bumper, and bottom corners of bumper notched, you can bearly tell.

That actually looks pretty good with 285s I don't think I want to go that wide. This truck will always be a pavement pounder and parked in the winter months. Any rub issues with the radius arms?

You're probably going to get a lot of opinions! Here's mine and I'm a long way from being a tire expert and I'm not saying I'm right. About wider tires providing more lateral stability, I'm not sure about that. A wider contact patch is going to make the tire more responsive to steering input and responsive can also be defined as squirrely depending on your point of view.

I stayed with the stock tire size because I think wider tires on trucks are mainly for looks - nothing wrong with that though. Wider tires have more rolling resistance, burn up a little more fuel and also are more inclined to have wear problems than the narrower stock size. The stock tire size is also cheaper, which counts a lot for me. Again, just my opinion, I'm not claiming to be right.

The air bags work great on my truck.

Just on the left side, missalign pitman arm maybe?

If it were me I would stay stock size. If it were 4wd then 265. I'm just not much on 2wd with bigger.

I was leaning towards staying with the stock size. The fuel economy issue did cross my mind. Just thought I'd ask around, see what you guys think about it. I usually don't go for 2wds either, but this truck has a beautiful rust free body. And it's mechanically sound, and it drives perfect. I couldn't pass up a sweet deal. I could always convert it to a 4wd later if I decide to.

Heres another pic of it while towing just for fun;)


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...27e1dd2989.jpg