Largest tire on stock F150 2wd?

[trouter_space]

I have to imagine this question has been answered before, but I searched around and didn't see an answer.

I'm shopping for new tires and wondering what the largest tire size I can run on an '86, stock, 2wd, base model F150 with (presumably) 7" wide wagon wheels. It currently has P235/75-15s and was thinking of trying to put on P265/70R15s.

Thanks for your help !

[Gary Lewis]

Welcome to the forum!  Glad you joined.  

But before we get to your question we need to address the guidelines.  We sent you an email asking you to go to the New Members Start Here folder, read the guidelines, and then introduce yourself by starting a new thread in that folder.  You've missed that email, but don't worry as about half the new people do.  However, we do need to know that you've read the guidelines before we answer questions as we hold everyone to the guidelines.

So, have you read them?

[trouter_space]

I have, Gary! Thank you!

TS

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, I see that you have.

As for tires, I had 31" tires (31 x 10.5 x 15) on Rusty, an '81 F150 4x4, and they worked fine except for touching the radius arm just before the steering turned all the way.  So it was livable, but I wouldn't have wanted anything larger on there.

[trouter_space]

Thanks! Considering my thoughts on the turning radius I'll probably only go 30.6" or P265/70R15.

[Gary Lewis]

That seems reasonable.

[Gsmblue]

31x10.5x25 here. Goodyear wranglet Duratrac. I have these on my 1985 F150 4x4. The actual diameter is 30.8 inches - when new. I don’t notice any rubbing and i think they are the right size for my stock suspension.

[Machspeed]

Gsmblue wrote

31x10.5x25 here. Goodyear wranglet Duratrac. I have these on my 1985 F150 4x4. The actual diameter is 30.8 inches - when new. I don’t notice any rubbing and i think they are the right size for my stock suspension.

Those look perfect for your truck.....love it! Want to confirm....are your wheels 7 or 8"??? Also, I note you have the spare in your bed. I'm assuming it is the same size as those on the truck; could it fit under the truck like a stock tire does? Really don't want to put my spare in the bed.

[Rembrant]

I don't know if Rick will see this and chime in, but I'm pretty sure he's running 255/70r15 tires on his 2wd F150 with 15x8 factory rally wheels.





My '84 F150 2wd had 275/60r15's on 15x8 wheels:

[trouter_space]

dang! Nice looking trucks. I've ordered 265/70r15s so here we go. Hopefully my suspension isn't shot, ha!

[trouter_space]

To follow-up on this, the P265/70R15 General Grabber AT/Xs look mighty nice, but they do in fact rub a bit on turns. So I picked up some 1/4" spacers from Titan Wheel Accessories. They were reasonably priced enough and seemed like they're of better quality and fitment than the discount spacers I saw.

Cheers,

[confetti]

Hey trouter, how have the general grabbers worked out for you? Any update over time and any pictures?

[trouter_space]

They are great. I really like them. The road noise is low as people say. We only really just got our first real snow of the year today so when I spin out of here I'll have a better idea on traction. The size I got does rub on sharper turns but I wouldn't change it. I got some 1/4" spacers that are yet to go on which should improve the situation.

Are you inquiring b/c of this storm? I'm kind of laughing because less than 30 minutes before your post General Tire sent their first and only request for me to post a review of them.




Cheers,

[confetti]

Haha I’m just inquiring because my tread is dry rotted and falling off.

Thanks for the pics, I’m thinking the grabbers but I’m considering going for the tall skinny boys instead of the wider ones.

They look good on there!

I have the stock 5.5 steelies with original hubcaps in white and want to keep those

[trouter_space]

Tall skinnies definitely provide a classic look. But I like my wide tracks. What are the other tires you're considering?

[confetti]

I am plenty open for suggestions for some tall skinnies. I’m trying to figure out a size combo that is available.

My brother suggested these 235/85 mud star radials he has on an old Land Rover, but as I’ll do some long highway I think these would be loud.

[Rusty_S85]

I run 31x10.50-15 on my truck.  One thing I noticed is the old Pathfinder All Terrian and the BFG KO1 didnt touch my radius arm at full lock.  With the KO2`s which is all you can get as KO1 was discontinued has a knobbier shoulder and they do hit the radius arm before you hit the lock.  I would gladly have stuck with the KO1 but they arent made anymore and the old Pathfinders I had are discontinued as well after 20 years of being offered by Discount Tire.

[confetti]

Those don’t look too bad either

I’m having an especially hard time finding anything tall and skinny to fit the 5.5 15’s..

235/85r15 would be awesome…
…if they existed

Wonder if I could find some 16” steelies that I can fit my hubcaps on

Edit: I’ve been looking for hours now. Seems like tall and skinny really does not exist for these 15’s. I like the grabbers and the KOs seems like the skinniest I would get are the 30x9.5x15

[Rusty_S85]

confetti wrote

Those don’t look too bad either

I’m having an especially hard time finding anything tall and skinny to fit the 5.5 15’s..

235/85r15 would be awesome…
…if they existed

Wonder if I could find some 16” steelies that I can fit my hubcaps on

Edit: I’ve been looking for hours now. Seems like tall and skinny really does not exist for these 15’s. I like the grabbers and the KOs seems like the skinniest I would get are the 30x9.5x15

Id be careful with 16s, they are kind of like 14s and 15s in limited options.  17s are a good choice as well as 19s but 18s are pricy.  With all the people still using 15`s on trucks and jeeps for off road use I dont think we will see all terrain tires in 15 going away any time soon unlike the 14s that are pretty much obsolete from the big manufacturers.

As far as tall and skinny goes you might have to look at something like military tires from a place like Coker those tires were tall but skinny.

[confetti]

Yeah you are definitely right. I’ve got the full size spare too and I’m not particular about changing the wheels.

I fall more on the resto end of the spectrum.. just after that awesome skinny tire look with an upgrade..

The Coker military’s are great we’ve had them on CJ5s in my family. However, I think that look can be a little early for the bullnose.

Something like the super swamper 31x9.5x15 SAM-82R could be the biggest skinniest. Good look for the era but definitely going to be noisier.

If the 31x10.5 tires barely rub I’m sure these skinnies would be ok

Limited options here call for big trade offs I guess.

For reference this is the look I’m chasing