Wheel Width

[994x4Sprt]

How wide are the stock 16 inch wheels that come on a '99 Explorer Sport? Also, how wide of a tire can I go on these wheels? I'm looking at 33X10.50's and 33X12.50's........i even seen somewhere there was a 33X14.50???

 

[CDW6212R]

I think all Ford 16" wheels are 7" wide. Yours are 16x7's

Look on the Tire Rack website. Pick your chosen tire, and then click the link to "specs."
There you will see a list of the tires in that model, with a column showing the range of wheel widths.

The width depends greatly on the tire height, the height from the wheel to the ground. The more height there, the wider the tire can be.

A taller profile tire can be wider on a given rim than a shorter profile tire.
Good luck,
Don

 

[jhbuckland]

what is the biggest tire I can go on a 99 4x4 sport with out lifting it? I want something nobbie but yet not have to give up my 16inch rim for 15 unless I have to

 

[jimbo74]

best bet is a 245/75/16

tire selection is semi harder to find in a 16" size but lots are still available, however you will find that 16" tires are in metric sizes not traditional 31x10.5 sizing

 

[994x4Sprt]

So, what size would be equal to a 33x12.50x16.......in metric?

 

[Robb]

Technically, they are 318/68R16 Some makers do make 320/70R16, others make sizes around there.

I personally wouldn't stick a 12.5 tire on a 7" rim, especially 33s on a 16" wheel.

 

[994x4Sprt]

Alright. If it was you, what size would you go with? I'm going to have 5" of lift on it and I want 33's so what size do you recommend?

 

[Robb]

I would bypass the scenario.

I would save up a couple hundred bucks, and add a set of 15x8 black "steelies" or "rockcrawler" or "nascar" wheels to the plan. Or you can get the chrome ones if you like the bling, they aren't much more. You may save a little bit on the tires also, 15" tires usually sell for less than 16" tires, simply because they sell more.

If you are gung-ho on keeping the stock wheels, I would have to stick to a 33x10.5.

 

[994x4Sprt]

Aight, thanks for the help. Guess I'll be saving a little longer to get some wheels

 

[JohnnyO]

If you want to keep the stock 16" rims, a 285/75-16 is roughly a 33x10.50. On a stock height truck a 265/70-16 should work okay, I had those on my Ranger. If you're going to get tires and wheels both, 15's are a lot cheaper than 16's.