Largest Tire Size for Stock 4X2 2002 Ford E250 Van

[Ford_6L_E350]

Mac,

I have 275/70-18 tires on 05 F350 18" wheels. To run the F350 wheels I have an F350 front axle and adaptors on the E350 rear axle. My tires are 33" tall, and the height is more important than the size (until you get very wide - none of the sizes mentioned are very wide).

Mike

[macmcintire]

Thanks Mike. I think I will go with the 285-75-17. But first I will have to rob a bank in order to get the money to do the Camburg lift, tires, wheels and locking differential.

[jage]

Originally Posted by macmcintire

If I lift it first I will need to put bigger tires on immediately.

Huh? Why?

[macmcintire]

I guess "need" is the wrong term. "Want" is more accurate. I'm afraid it will look weird with my thin tires after I lift it. Plus, as I understand it, they do an alignment after the lift and the size of tire makes a difference in the alignment. If this is true I would have to get the van realigned if I put new tires on later.

[jage]

Originally Posted by macmcintire

Plus, as I understand it, they do an alignment after the lift and the size of tire makes a difference in the alignment.

Only if you're going 35s in the back and 29s in the front... I just always have done lift before tires- you can't really tell what will fit and look good otherwise, and I think if you have to do it in two separate stages for financial reasons you should either accept not being cool for a bit, or at worst look for some inexpensive used ATs to get you by.

If you go tires first you could waste money as they'll look tiny under the lift anyway, or do damage to your fenders/the tires because the clearance isn't enough, blah blah blah. Again, I'd look at used tires- your friendly local tire store should be able to watch for a set coming off a pickup that is a bigger size for you and the investment isn't as great so if they don't work post lift, at least it's not as bad.

Depending on your goals, who knows, the increased tire size might be enough and you might feel like in the end the lift isn't needed, I just hate to see you spend money on nice tires and have them not be right after you spend money on the lift.

I would still like to know the max fit tire size under a stock E350 though.

[macmcintire]

Thanks Jage. I'm going to schedule the lift today. I agree that it's best to see what is the right tire fit after the lift. Thanks for your sage (or jage) advice. I really appreciate how helpful everyone is on this forum.

[Silver350]

I would still like to know the max fit tire size under a stock E350 though.

Well, if 245/75's (30.4") have some room and 265/75's (31.6") rub just a bit I would say that 235/80 R16's at 30.8" would probably fit. If they were chunky enough they might give the ol' school look as well.

[Ford_6L_E350]

So, Mac what does your wife think of the modifications to her van??

Mike

[macmcintire]

She would prefer that it not be lifted. However, she also realizes I will be camping in the van a lot more than she. I prefer to camp in more isolated areas and she prefers more civilized spots. She told me last night she has no interest in seeing every dirt road in the SW United States. I said that's exactly what I want to do. Her response: "Have fun!" She also knows I can't stop spending hours on this website and that I'm now drooling over new bumpers for the van. So she has surrendered to the fact that the Camburg lift, locking differential and five new tires and wheels are not the last additions to the Sportsmobile. She just wants to know that once my (her) van "looks like" the big boy's Sportsmobiles will I stop adding more stuff to it. And, of course, the more I see on this website the less likely I am to say I will never do anything more to the mobile. The good news is I'm the author of five books and royalty money keeps coming into my "fun fund," so I always can say "I have the money" to buy the next thing I want for the van. Until the fun fund runs dry I can always dream. Of course, I used to take my wife to Europe every year with the fun fund. But who wants to go to Europe when one has a Sportmobile?

[Ford_6L_E350]

Better take care of a wife that tolerates your messin' with her van. Take her where she wants to go once in awhile.

Mike