Smaller Wheels

[rayg75]

I have a 2014 FPIU and I would like to get smaller wheels so I can put some bigger tires on it. Does anyone know how small I can go and still clear the brakes and suspension?

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2014 FPIU and I would like to get smaller wheels so I can put some bigger tires on it. Does anyone know how small I can go and still clear the brakes and suspension?

I think the 18" are as small as you can go. I was able to use 16" wheels on my 2011 Limited but that was before Ford upgraded the brakes to the same HD ones used in the PIU midway through the 2013 production schedule.
What size tires do you have on it now?
EDIT: I believe I used 17" wheels. That was 11 years ago.

Peter

 

[rayg75]

I think the 18" are as small as you can go. I was able to use 16" wheels on my 2011 Limited but that was before Ford upgraded the brakes to the same HD ones used in the PIU midway through the 2013 production schedule.
What size tires do you have on it now?

Peter

254/55/18. I am wanting to put some alll terrain tires on it for over landing.

 

[J_C]

If really important, could you downgrade the brakes? I hate that idea as I'm good with my 18" wheels and HD brakes but I don't take it far enough off-road to need bigger tires or more ground clearance.

 

[rayg75]

If really important, could you downgrade the brakes? I hate that idea as I'm good with my 18" wheels and HD brakes but I don't take it far enough off-road to need bigger tires or more ground clearance.

Thanks. I would rather spend the money on the larger AT tires than downgrade the brakes.

 

[peterk9]

254/55/18. I am wanting to put some alll terrain tires on it for over landing.

Is that the OEM size? Does look familiar to me. Okay, I see why. they are 245, not 254.

You can go with a slightly higher sidewall but would have to decrease the width somewhat. A 235/60R18 would work and stay within the 3% maximum diameter variance compared to OEM.

Peter

 

[J_C]

Thanks. I would rather spend the money on the larger AT tires than downgrade the brakes.

I don't understand your statement. The brake downgrade would be to a smaller diameter rotors like peterk9's, in order to use 16" wheels, then with smaller wheels being able to fit, you get more tire sidewall before the overall diameter of the tire is too large to fit.

Otherwise you can get AT tires in either size. You did ask about smaller wheels and that's the way to potentially get there.

Total tire diameter doesn't change either way unless you lift it, and peterk9 is telling you not to go over 3% which isn't worth the bother, IMO. I don't necessarily agree with that 3% # though, and there's bound to be other topics in the forum about what the biggest is that you can fit without a lift.

 

[rayg75]

I don't understand your statement. The brake downgrade would be to a smaller diameter rotors like peterk9's, in order to use 16" wheels, then you get more tire sidewall. You did ask about smaller wheels and that's the way to potentially get there.

Total tire diameter doesn't change either way unless you lift it, and peterk9 is telling you not to go over 3% which isn't worth the bother, IMO. I don't necessarily agree with that 3% # though, and there's bound to be other topics in the forum about what the biggest you can fit without a lift is.

I would rather pay the price for 18inch diameter at tires, than loose the performance of the larger brakes. I won’t be able to get at much sidewall as I could with a 17 but it should still be enough for the little off-road driving I will be doing.