19.5 vs. 22.5 - anybody have input and/or pics on a Ford?

elkhornsun wrote:
I would go with DRW instead.

It looks like already has one. ;)

I went from 16's to 19.5's on my F350 SRW. I have 265x70x19.5 tires that are a bit of an AT tread. They are very heavy duty sidewall, and fit my leveled 2002 F350 with no rub. They are a 34" tall tire. Reduced my sway by a lot!
I just bought an f700 box truck that came with 22.5 rims and tires. They are much larger, though both have very thick sidewalls (almost an inch thick sidewall!)

So having close view of both, I would stick with the 19.5's since they are a bolt-on. Any adapter to enable the use of 22.5's would add strain to the bearings not even factoring in the added weight.

Hopefully that helps in your decision making.

Best regards, Garry

Tire options are already very slim with the 19.5. Going to the 22.5 size leaves you with heavy truck or bus tires that are highway tread only and the ride will be very hard with you and your passengers able to feel every bump in the road. I would go with DRW instead.

19.5s have a lot less profile as well for the height. I think 22.5s would likely be hard to use without going tall.

mooring product wrote:
Im going to go with 20" direct bolt on with some Nitto terra grapplers in a LT275/65R20 E126R

http://aewheel.com/eagle_alloy_wheels.cfm?id=1945&cat=474

You should just go with a 19.5 direct bolt on...mind you the 10 lug looks much more "bad aXX"

Be aware that those rear rims are only rated for 2350 lbs each giving you 9400 lbs capacity on your DRW rear axle. The tire rating of 3750 lbs is overkill for that rim.

mooring product wrote:
Im going to go with 20" direct bolt on with some Nitto terra grapplers in a LT275/65R20 E126R

http://aewheel.com/eagle_alloy_wheels.cfm?id=1945&cat=474

You should just go with a 19.5 direct bolt on...mind you the 10 lug looks much more "bad aXX"

Same setup I'll be looking into. Make sure and post some pictures when you get them mounted up. Good looking wheel and they look easy to clean!

mooring product wrote:
Im going to go with 20" direct bolt on with some Nitto terra grapplers in a LT275/65R20 E126R

http://aewheel.com/eagle_alloy_wheels.cfm?id=1945&cat=474

You should just go with a 19.5 direct bolt on...mind you the 10 lug looks much more "bad aXX"

I bet ya they'll probably look great, but in my case, I'm not going for looks, strictly function. I want the stiffer sidewalls and the "piece of mind" of commercial tires. I've heard(but not confirmed) that commercial tires have less give, helping a lot with sway control.

One drawback I have heard is stiffer ride when empty, which is fine because I seldom drive my truck unless it's doing something a truck has to do. Otherwise I have a couple other vehicles I drive.

The only Fords I have seen with 22.5" wheels are from EarthRoamer.. They require an adaptor and body modifications and/or lift in order to avoid rubbing.

If you currently have a dually and want to run SRW then I suggest you take a look at the 19.5" wheels from Hutchinson. Note: these are 10-bolt wheels and will require an adaptor.




If you want to continue to run DRW then there are many direct bolt-on 19.5" wheel options available from companies like Vision Wheel and American Force.

Cheers
-Mark

Im going to go with 20" direct bolt on with some Nitto terra grapplers in a LT275/65R20 E126R

http://aewheel.com/eagle_alloy_wheels.cfm?id=1945&cat=474

You should just go with a 19.5 direct bolt on...mind you the 10 lug looks much more "bad aXX"

Isn't a 22.5" rim kit going to leave you with a 35-37" tall tire? You may be able to stuff 35's in your wheel well, but I suspect even those may need a lift to not rub at full lock. Do you really want to raise the COG of your setup? Do you tow with your TC on the truck? Going to a 35" or taller tire may require gearing changes in your axles.

There are plenty of 19.5" rim choices that will give you 4500 lbs or more capacity per wheel in a 33" tall tire. This option would cost you around $3000 for a set of six rims and tires mounted and balanced with new lug nuts and center caps.