Alright....first post here on F150 Forum so bear with me. I have a 97 F150, 2WD, Lariat, extended cab, no lift or other height modifications, stock wheels (12x1.75 studs).

Just bought a set of wheels off of craigslist because they were cheap and I hate my stock wheels. They are 16" (like the stock ones) but they are about 11 inches wide (this may be the biggest problem). I'm not 100% on the offset but it definitely looks like it is a bit of a negative offset. Previous owner had them on a 98 F150 with like a 8 inch lift. lol.

I want to get tires with aggressive tread (currently using General Grabber AT2s and like them) that look good on the truck (NO TIRE STRETCHING) and I want them to fit on the truck without any/few modifications to height. I like the look of the wheels a little outside the fender so hopefully this will work out well. I need to know if 305/70/16 tires (basically 33") would fit/not rub/not require modification on this truck. If anyone has ran this setup before, I would highly appreciate the input. Oh, and I'm a broke college student who can't spend too much on tires. But I mostly just want to know what will fit and what won't.

 

Tbh man that's gonna take a lot of cutting and even after that it won't fit

 

How can you be so certain Alec? do you have the same truck and have tried a similar setup? Not doubting you, just asking. That's why I'm here, trying to see if I can make these wheels work somehow.

 

They will rub without a doubt.

 

The 285 75 16 is the biggest you can do with no lift and it will more than likely still rub.

 

Soooo would playing with the torsion bars help with this? Since I will be rubbing, is there an easy way to stop the rubbing? How would it be done? I would really like to be able to use the wheels. Maybe spacers would help? I guess worse case scenario I'm out $70 for the wheels and can resell them. I have very little experience with tire fitment so this all pretty new to me. And if I'm getting this correct, it's the width of the wheels that's the problem right? Not the 33" because I saw in other threads that 33" fits.

 

Yea. Your torsion bars. Let us know how that goes with your 2WD. (Hint - they don't have torsion bars).

 

Well I guess now it's even more clear I don't know much about this type of stuff. Any suggestions on how to get the wheels to fit? (Not including putting a massive lift on it) Just want them to be wider and still work.

 

Two options.
3" spindle lift $400 for kit. Best bet. Keep everything at factory angle. No extra stress
Coil spacer - 100 ride like ****, wear our front end. But cheaper. You choose.
I chose spindle. 285/75/17 bfg ats

 

I thought it was just the width of the tire that is the problem not necessarily the height? The 305/70/16 is a little under 33" and I've seen these trucks work with 33" tires.