Ok, so has anybody put 17" wheels on their trucks with no body lift or anything? I happen to have a connection to basically an endless supply from my employer of 17" tires with over half the treads left on an "as needed" basis. I was just wondering if there would be any issues with rubbing going up that big with no lift what so ever.

 

17" wheels should fit just fine, especially stock wheels. But you have to check for interference with brake and suspension.

I think the issue you are worried about is tire clearance. That will depend on the tire, just as it does if you buy bigger 15s or any size wheel for that matter.

What size are your used 17s?

FWIW I would think about the cost of wheels etc in light of getting used tires, even for free. How long can they last if they aren't good enough for your company to run? How have they been run, what have they been run into?

If you are a low mileage driver where half tread tires represent a long term investment, why bother? You are saving one tire change but having to buy wheels.

You'll figure it out, just get some more info and price those wheels.

 

They are 235/80/17. DOT regulations makes us change them out. They come off of an ambulance for what it's worth. The wheels I am looking at are $500 new but I thought about trying to just find a set from the junkyard or off craigslist or something. I can get them mounted and balanced pretty much whenever I need to for free.

 

They're Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires. Not that it makes a difference...

 

Other than the cost of the wheels, worth looking in to. Good reviews on Tire Rack and about 32" diameter. As long as the wheels don't hit something they will fit fine.

 

The only things that matters here are the total diameter of the tire/wheel combo and the wheel offset/backspacing, the stock combo is 29.5" in diameter on a 7" wheel with 0 offset/3.5" backspcing, 31" tires on the same wheel will clear with no issues and 32s should only produce minor rubbing on the radius arms or sway bars at full lock. Aftermarket wheels must have no more than 3.75" backspacing, that means you need a wheel with mounting surface roughly centered in the wheel so modern truck trakeoffs with the hub flush with the outer lip of the wheel are no good... you need a dished type wheel.

 

You think they gave him 7" wheels stock? I would have bet on 6".

 

Yes these F150s got 7" wheels mostly, some packages equipped with 31's from the factory got 8" wheels. I won't say there aren't any 6" wheels though... might find some on base model 1/2 tons and they were somewhat more common on HD trucks with basic steel wheels.

 

First-gen Lightning rims are 17x8, I think. Probably the easiest way to go.