Biggest Tires

[nightrunner84]

I have a 87 F250, 2WD, all factory. What are the biggest tires I can put on it. The truck currently has 235/85r16's on it now but I'd like to go with a bigger/taller tire to bring the RPM's down at highway speeds.

 

[Optikalillushun]

id say 285/75/16s with no issues.

 

[nightrunner84]

have you ever had this size on a 2wd? Is a 2wd front axle height any different than a 4wd?

 

[Optikalillushun]

F-350s are 2" higher then a F-250 and just by looking at the 2wd's arond here they look like they sit about the same so id say 285s w/o a problem.

 

[LCAM-01XA]

the 285/75-16s (equal to 33" flotation tires) will have only 1" larger diameter than what you got now (equal to 32" flotations). For a noticeable in engine speed I'd suggest you go next size up to 35" tires (315/75-16) but measure around your current tires to make sure you actually have clearance for them. You have to do the measurement yourself, as none of us here knows how much your front is sagging - I've seen some 2wd F350s ride low like a 2wd halfton, and then I have my 2wd that sits just as high as most stock 4x4 F150s.

 

[redneckaggie]

I would say 35's with offset rims and maybe some bumper trimming with a sawzall

 

[redneckaggie]

The only problem with bigger tires is that you put more rubber there to roll around on. You get a wobble from hell while pulling loads with these tires cause of the extra rubber. Think about it for a second big rigs have bigger rims and not really that much taller tires and they have ultimately high load ranges so it's really your choice. Are you willing to sacrifice the handling for the gains? I have experienced 35's pulling loads(and not to big of loads at that) they were load range E and if you had to steer sharp you got an extremely bad wobble.

 

[Agnem]

Can't say I've experienced problems hauling or towing with 35's.

 

[redneckaggie]

really? Now that is kind of wierd cause i experienced it and all we have changed is the tires since then and it doesn't do it anymore. Were the tires you are talking about wide also cause these were 12.5" wide mudgrips load range E

 

[riotwarrior]

I'd say about as big as you wanna go would be 35" typically anything bigger is going to require body/suspension lift rather than just a small sawzall cut of fenders.

 

[MUDKICKR]

id go with a 255/85r16 tire. its 33"s tall and it is skinny so you can get some gas mileage out of them as well. i had a set of 255/85r16"s on my f350 before i lifted it and they looked good on there, and no tire rubbing.

 

[dakotajeep]

255/85's are a good option.....it will be my next tire purchase.....narrow=less clearance/rubbing issues....

Thad

 

[Mr_Roboto]

I third the 255/85R16 option. Stay with the 85 series, if you drop to a lower profile tire you will just lose mileage because of the extra rolling resistance of a wider tire.

Also stay away from the knobby mud tires, they have higher rolling resistance than a lower void tread.