20" wheels off-road

[dbrook1]

Howdy. Just placed my order for a 2012 XLT 4WD, Ingot Silver, 205A, BLIS, w/tow & 20" wheels. I've been browsing the forum for a couple weeks prepping for the big purchase. I have a question regarding the 20" wheels. There are numerous references to the 20"ers not being for off-road use. Can anyone help define what that means? My off-road use would entail grass/dirt roads that can turn to absolute mud, deeply rutted dirt roads, cross farm field driving, and snow of varying depths during fall hunting. No rock climbing, stream fording, etc. Thanks in advance and also thanks for the info I've already gleaned from previous posts!

PS-I apologize if this is outlined elsewhere---I didn't see it.

 

[peterk9]

Howdy. Just placed my order for a 2012 XLT 4WD, Ingot Silver, 205A, BLIS, w/tow & 20" wheels. I've been browsing the forum for a couple weeks prepping for the big purchase. I have a question regarding the 20" wheels. There are numerous references to the 20"ers not being for off-road use. Can anyone help define what that means? My off-road use would entail grass/dirt roads that can turn to absolute mud, deeply rutted dirt roads, cross farm field driving, and snow of varying depths during fall hunting. No rock climbing, stream fording, etc. Thanks in advance and also thanks for the info I've already gleaned from previous posts!

PS-I apologize if this is outlined elsewhere---I didn't see it.

Welcome dbrook1. :wavey:
I don't think you would have any problems using it for the conditions you described. I believe the reason it is not recommended for 'off roading' is because of the small distance between the wheel rim and the ground due to the 20" profile tires. It would be too easy to damage the rims going over rocks etc.

Peter

 

[Blee1099]

Best bet is to downsize to a 15, 16 or 17 inch wheel.. With the 20s there is not much of a selection if any at all.

 

[Blee1099]

The smallest 20" tire BFG makes is a 33.5" in the KM2 vs 30" in the 17" wheel variety. or 32" in the AT tire in the 20".. If your gonna go with on road and off I'd go with the All Terrain tire myself.

 

[peterk9]

Best bet is to downsize to a 15, 16 or 17 inch wheel.. With the 20s there is not much of a selection if any at all.

Are you sure a 15 or 16" will fit? Might be too tight a fit for the brakes? The base model comes with 17" steel wheels and that is what I'm looking at using to replace my 20" with for mounting Winter tires.

 

[sangiovese]

18" wheels on Limited

Sorry if this has already been answered, but I searched and could not find it.

Is there anything about the limited that precludes the use of 18" (or even 17") wheels? Does it have larger brakes than the XLT or Base?

I have a Limited on order and intend to get some 18" wheels with winter tires, but I've not been able to confirm that 18" wheels can safely be used on a Limited. I also checked the on-line manual but there was no mention of wheel size limitations. Has anyone confirmed this is OK?

 

[peterk9]

Sorry if this has already been answered, but I searched and could not find it.

Is there anything about the limited that precludes the use of 18" (or even 17") wheels? Does it have larger brakes than the XLT or Base?

I have a Limited on order and intend to get some 18" wheels with winter tires, but I've not been able to confirm that 18" wheels can safely be used on a Limited. I also checked the on-line manual but there was no mention of wheel size limitations. Has anyone confirmed this is OK?

I was told by the Ford parts manager at my dealership that Ford will not release wheels specs. There is also no use in asking our Ford reps as they will not be able to tell you if you can use a different size because of liability issues. I was told that the part numbers for the brakes for the Base, XLT and Limited models were all the same. Therefore I'm assuming that the wheels should be interchangeable. The parts manager said the only way to know for sure was to order a 17" wheel and try it on my Limited. As I mentioned previously, I am looking at getting the Base model 17" steel wheels for my Limited to mount my Winter tires on.
Welcome to the Forum. :wavey:

Peter

 

[dbrook1]

Unfortunately a 2nd set of wheels/tires is not in the budget. Sounds like I should be OK with my planned usage. I'll just have to be careful not to scratch the wheels themselves. I'm asuming I won't be a huge fan of the stock tires as they look to be for highway cruising only. I'll have to live with them until they wear out due to $$$.

Thanks for all of the rapid responses. Has anyone had any experience similar to my planned "off-roading" (I use that term very lightly) with their 20's?

 

[willwitten]

I drive on almost the same conditions you are talking about......except it doesn't snow much here (Maypearl, Texas). I have had my limited (4wd, 302a, tow) for 3 months (5k miles). I have had no problems. I drive daily on dirt, gravel, grass, fields, hills, thorns, everything.....I even drive on paved roads and interstates!

 

[dbrook1]

Thanks willwitten... That cracked me up. Any mud in all of that? By the way, our MN highway/interstate driving is often "off-road" in the winter (28" blizzard last Dec).

 

[Holligl]

Deep ruts will knock the air spoiler off in the front. (It does snap back on.) I could not make it up a steep rutted dirt road hill because the Hankooks did not have enough traction to keep it out of the ruts.

 

[dbrook1]

OK, a couple more questions that may seem basic to you afficionados: Since I ordered 4WD, will my tires be less "touring" than the FWD? When it's time for new tires, will I be able to fit something with a slightly larger profile on my vehicle? As always, thanks.

 

[willwitten]

Dbrook1 -- no mud here yet.....it hasn't rained enough since I got the car.

I think the tires are the same for all 20" rims......no difference between 4wd and fwd.
The tires on my 4wd are "street" tires.....not off road or all terrain.
When they wear out, I will get better tires.

 

[TIO M]

Anyone have any experience with the Nitto All Terrain TERRA GRAPPLER 265-50 20XL?

I've noticed that the original Hankooks weigh about 35lbs and the 20" Polished rim weighs roughly between 30-34lbs. But I can not find for the life of me how much the Terra Grappler wheels weighs.

Any thoughts about this wheel to replace the Hankooks?

Nevermind I found the weight....43lbs for the Nitto tire.

 

[FlyNavy]

OK, a couple more questions that may seem basic to you afficionados: Since I ordered 4WD, will my tires be less "touring" than the FWD? When it's time for new tires, will I be able to fit something with a slightly larger profile on my vehicle? As always, thanks.

I'm curious what the largest profile size tire will fit on the 20s as well. Specifically, I'm trying to find a tire with white letters on them - like the old explorers had and the current pickups have.