Lifting to fit 285's

[Vancouver BC]

any body ever found or seen a way to lift an E250 or E350 to get enough clearance to run 285's ? ? ? ? ?

[Hotwheels]

Dont know if this is what you had in mind, but you can put 2 inch spacers between the body and the frame to get more clearance in the wheelwells. They do it to handicapped vans so as to be able to drop the floor without cutting into the frame. Also you have to rework the radiator when you do it. I think they get the spacers from Dick Cepeck offroad stores. Hope this helps, but it seems like a lot of work!!!!

[Jim Swartz]

Vancouver BC,

I have a 92, E-350 and did an installation of standard tread 235- 85's. You might want to check my posts on this Van Forum, 8-16-99 on "Bigger Tires for the E-350". Pre 92's seem to be ok. Some 92's on have trouble with the front wheel well back side (near the front door area).Some person wrote and said they had trouble with the rear wheel well. I have so much clearance in the rear wheel well, I think I could sleep there! I do have Alcoa Five Star wheels though and maybe the set-back width is a little different than stock. Certainly narrower than aftermarket chrome wheels (which I recommend that you do NOT use)

I carefully worked my front well with a hammer,grinder and box knife on the plastic inner liner so the fender worked and the tires cleared on sharp turns. It is still very close! Please read my posts. If you have a 3:54 rear, it WILL change your gear ratio. If you do mostly hi-way driving and do not tow a lot, there are advantages with the 285 set-up, mostly in mileage but also better in snow because the 285's are narrower than the 245's. This allows for better traction in snow. 245's seem to "float" more. Does not seem to make sense untill you think about it. Good luck.

PS: I bought Mich's and really like them. Very quiet, reasonable snow traction too with LS rear. Strange thing is that my van seems to get better traction in deep snow going backward than forward. Cold here today, thinking about winter! Jim

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Jim Swartz, 92 E-350 CW, 7.3, Bank's Turbo, K+N, E4OD with Bank's TC.

[This message has been edited by Jim Swartz (edited 09-09-1999).]

[Jim Swartz]

Vancouver BC,

I have a 92, E-350 and did an installation of standard tread 235- 85's. You might want to check my posts on this Van Forum, 8-16-99 on "Bigger Tires for the E-350". Pre 92's seem to be ok. Some 92's on have trouble with the front wheel well near the front door area.Some person wrote and said they had trouble with the rear wheel well. I have so much clearance in the rear wheel well, I think I could sleep there! I do have Alcoa Five Star wheel though and maybe the width is a little different than stock. Certainly narrower than aftermarket chrome wheels ( which I recommend that you do NOT use)

I carefully worked my front well so the fender worked and the tires cleared. It is still very close. Please read my posts. If you have a 3:54 rear, it WILL change your gear ratio. If you do mostly hi-way driving and do not tow a lot, there are advantages with the 385 set-up, mostly in mileage. Good luck.

PS: I bought Mich's and really like them. Very quiet, reasonable snow traction too with LS rear. Jim

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Jim Swartz, 92 E-350 CW, 7.3, Bank's Turbo, K+N, E4OD with Bank's TC.