Tire size question - Diesel Forum

Doug Bensen · 09-13-2005, 03:55 PM

I have an '89 E-250 with 4.10 rear. The stock optional tire size is 245/75-16 with a 30.47" OD. I have a '86 F-250 with 235/85-16 tires with a 31.73 OD. The F series has a 3.55 rear and I think the RPM's are too high at highway speeds as it is. I haven't yet driven the van but I imagine the 4.10 rear is going to make the engine scream at 65. Any chance I could use the same tire on the truck on the van. It's bad enough it has the higher gears but with smaller tires it is even worse. Once apon a time, in it's 170,000 mile life, it has a Gear Vendors on it. Wish it still did, but for now just wondering if I could fit the larger tire under there without any problems. Any opinions appreciated. The search feature didn't yield any results that would help me.
Thanks,
Doug
'86 F-250 4x4
'89 E-250 ATS

toalpi · 09-13-2005, 08:24 PM

On the front they may make incidental contact up inside the fender well in a couple of places when fully bottomed out but none of the contact points are sharp and it will not cause problems. I used to have 265/75-16 (31.7") on the front of an 87 E250. In the rear there is plenty of room.

Mr_Roboto · 09-13-2005, 08:30 PM

I run the 235/85R16's on 7" rims on both my 92 E250 and my 94 E350, with no clearance issues. I really prefer the tall, narrow tire.

Of course the body / frame etc is different on your van... so clearances may be different.

Doug Bensen · 09-14-2005, 10:27 AM

Toalpi,
The diameter of the tire you were running and the 235/85-16 are the same. When you were running that diameter tire is that when you had the occasional rubbing with no damage. I guess what I could do is swap the tires off the truck and put them on the van to see how thing work out, but man, that would be a lot of work. Thanks guys, for helping me out.
Doug

toalpi · 09-14-2005, 01:32 PM

Yes it was with the 265/75-16 up front. I never heard or felt any rubbing. I could see the evidence such as black marks and scuff marks "up in" a few places. But this is only going to happen when on very uneven terrain when the tire is turned and fully stuffed up. I suspect most of it happened when offroad. It was a 2 wheel drive van but it spent plenty of time off road with 33X12.50-16.5 tires on the back. The rear fender and springs needed some "adjustments" for 33's.

e444 · 09-15-2005, 06:34 PM

i have 265/75/16 on 8in rims on my e350 but i put moog cc860 springs on the front wich lifted it 1 3/4 in and that took care of rubbing issues and of course an alingment

Doug Bensen · 09-16-2005, 01:11 PM

I still haven't made up my mind. It seems like the extra 1 3/8' OD can make a difference. I wouldn't have guessed it would have been that close. I guess the only sure way would be to put my tires on from the truck and go for a ride. That sure is a lot of work but probably worth it. Thanks,
Doug