Tire and rim combinations

[alaskantinbender]

Questions about Tire and rim combinations

I have been thinking about the best tire and rim combination for my E350 4X4 and my eyes are glazing over with all the choices.
Use stock steel 16" rims or go with wider aftermarket 16" or 18" to match my F350. Go with a 33" inch MT or 35"?
Does any one know if a 15" rim will fit with the rotors?
Maby even go with a 40" tire and cut the fenders a bit for room.
What have some of you used and what does the general concensus say about it on the forum??

regards,

Jim

 

[ujoint]

It really depends on what tire you want to run. I would stay with the 16" rim, anything smaller won't clear the brakes. I'm running 20" wheels, but that's because I have F550 brakes, so I have to have at least a 19.5" wheel. Figure out what tires you want to run before continuing.....

 

[alaskantinbender]

I have used the BFG MT's with great results for years so will probably stick with them. But I hear rumours of the old MT tread pattern going away.
The 35" is probably the best size for what Im doing with the van. And they should fit with the added 3 1/2 inch lift from recient mods.
I hate spending the money for wider rims but the 35's really need a 10" width.


regards,

Jim

 

[ujoint]

I think an 8" wide wheel is perfect for a 35/12.50, and yes, the "old" BFG M/T's aren't available anymore since the new KM2's have been launched. Someone may have a set around, it's worth a shot....

 

[FROADER]

Yeah, an 8" wheel is fine for a 12.5" tire. It's actually better than a 10" wheel if you ever air down the tires. Less of a chance to lose a bead.

When I finally lift my van, I'll be getting some 35s as well.

 

[saltamontes]

stock wheels are hub-centric so the load is carried by the hub not the lugs.

nearly every (if not every) aftermarket wheel is lug-centric.

ford designed the lugs to only hold on the wheel, not to carry load.

i would consider stock 18" or 20" hub-centric wheels as upgrade.

besides tire's bead effects, the handling characteristics of the tire can be negatively affected by using too narrow a wheel.
(a softer sidewalled tire on too narrow a wheel tends to wander w/ parallel road irregularities for example)

toyo has a very useful recommended wheel width measurement on their tire specs. Additionally, they have released lots of new E-rated sizes for 18 and 20.
check em out.