Brain probe for 19.5 x 7.5 rims and 16" F450 Front Brakes

[Camper_Jeff___K]

Brain probe for 19.5 rim and tire opinions. Also curious as to the possibility of swapping larger F450 front disk brakes onto my 2000 F250 4x4 supercab long bed. I was looking at Rickson rims and they have the Aluminum and Powder Coated steel 19.5 x 7.5 rims. The aluminum wheels have slotted lug bolt holes and the steel rims have round holes and are considered hub centered. Apparently there is an issue with the aluminum wheels and breaking wheel studs. I think the steel wheels come with an OEM center offset. Any thoughts on these rims or better suggestions?
Next question is, I want to improve braking, stopping performance. I was looking at the Z36 brakes which according to some can provide 11% better stopping performance. They still use the 13" rotor and calipers. I am wondering if it is possible to adapt F450/F550 16" 8 lug front rotors and calipers to my F250? Why would I do these things you ask? The biggest difference between the F250 and F350 is the weight tag and name, otherwise the two models share the same frame and brake sizes. My truck has a new engine, larger rear springs, air bags, large front and rear sway bars, Rancho 9000s, Torklift tie downs and other modifications for the TC. It is about to get 3 leaf front springs. The truck is already setup nicely for my uses and would cost a fair amount to get another truck. Any input appreciated.

[mbloof]

Bedlam wrote:
I had the Vision Heavy Hauler 81 rims on my F250. They were not hub centric but did have a 4500 lb rating. These rims used cone shaped lug nuts verses the flat you currently use. I paired those rims with 5000 lb rated 245/70r19.5 PR16 LRH tires.

This is correct.

When used with the correct lugnuts the Vision wheels are not a issue.

I've used the Vision 81's on my 97' and 17' Ford without issue.

I ended up with Vision 81's on my 17' because after 4 months waiting on Rickson, they never built or delivered. My local tire dealer had the Visions installed in less than a week after ordering them.


- Mark0.

[Grit_dog]

With the proliferation of truck campers in the PNW, used sets of 19.5s come up for sale quite often.

[swhunter]

I have a 2000 F350 Crewcab 7.3 liter powerstroke 4x4 longbed single rear wheel. I carried a Lance camper that has a 11’3” floor. I switched to Vision 19.5” wheels, on the wheels I have Toyo M920, 245/ 70R – 19.5” tires. The wheels are rated 4500 lb’s & the tires are rated 4540 lb’s. I now have a lot more safety margin compared to the stock 16” wheel and tire combo. The stiff side walls of the tire made a difference in reducing the sway with the camper on board. It is nice to not have the tires squat when loaded. I don’t have a need to air down so that is a non issue for me. I don’t know when I can upgrade to a dually. So I did research the 19.5” tire subject for several years before making the change. It is a expensive up grade. I am happy with the results I have gotten since going with the 19.5” setup.

[Bedlam]

I had the Vision Heavy Hauler 81 rims on my F250. They were not hub centric but did have a 4500 lb rating. These rims used cone shaped lug nuts verses the flat you currently use. I paired those rims with 5000 lb rated 245/70r19.5 PR16 LRH tires.

[Camper_Jeff___K]

Bedlam wrote:
1. I do not believe Rickson is still in business. Your choice now is American Force or Vision for 19.5" in a 8-lug. You can also go to a Method HD 18" for 4k lb capacity rims. For your offroad use, you may be happier staying with a 4k lb rated LT tire that can be aired down rather than the stiff 19.5" commercial tires that will also be narrower.

2. The Dana 60 is used on the front of the F250 through F550, but the wide track version is the Super 60 and I am not sure of the differences.

3. 1998-2004 F550 and F450 chassis cabs used 8-lug (don't remember the rim diameter) but hey have been 10-lug since. You may have a chance of finding larger 8-lug brakes off some of the 2011-2014 F450 pickups, but they used 17" rims during that year range (most likely same as F350).

Did you find it true on your old Rickson rims that they were slotted bolts, not a true hub centered rim.
PS: I still have that bottle of wine in the TC fridge for when next we meet.

[Camper_Jeff___K]

SSBC Stainless Steel Brake Company was suggested as a supplier for a larger bolt on braking solution. They have an 8 piston, 4 per side, stainless steel sleeved caliper and rotor kit. I can't tell if they are larger diameter rotors though in the provided information. I'll give then a call tomorrow before 5 eastern.
The F450 front axle has that extended hub then reverse wheels to match the dually rear offset I presume so the front rear and spare are all interchangeable. It may be as simple as getting the back plate and mounting hardware off the larger truck along with 19.5-inch rims and swapping them onto my front axle. More research needed.

[Buzzcut1]

the grifters that were Rickson are thankfully out of Business

[jimh406]

Ford-trucks.com might be able to help. According to guys on the Mustang forum, going to a larger rotor is pretty simple for those. You change the Caliper which already has the right offset and change the rotor. I have no idea if something similar is possible for a Super Duty, but it might be. I was thinking my F450 has 10 lugs, but you may be talking about the models that had equivalent front/rear as the F350.

[Bedlam]

1. I do not believe Rickson is still in business. Your choice now is American Force or Vision for 19.5" in a 8-lug. You can also go to a Method HD 18" for 4k lb capacity rims. For your offroad use, you may be happier staying with a 4k lb rated LT tire that can be aired down rather than the stiff 19.5" commercial tires that will also be narrower.

2. The Dana 60 is used on the front of the F250 through F550, but the wide track version is the Super 60 and I am not sure of the differences.

3. 1998-2004 F550 and F450 chassis cabs used 8-lug (don't remember the rim diameter) but hey have been 10-lug since. You may have a chance of finding larger 8-lug brakes off some of the 2011-2014 F450 pickups, but they used 17" rims during that year range (most likely same as F350).

[Grit_dog]

Never dealt with them personally but Rickson may be out of business and certainly has been a poor service supplier for many years. As far as the entire internet is concerned anyway.
Pretty sure they don’t make aluminum wheels either. But am curious what you consider to be slotted lug holes. In 35 years of being a gear head, mechanic and truck owner I’ve never seen or heard of slotted lug holes.
I did see rickson website compares their wheels to Vision heavy hauler wheels, which are alloy and a “slot” design. The word slot being used to describe the appearance of the wheel and the holes in the rim (not the lug holes).
Maybe that’s what you’re trying to explain.
Regarding your axle, maybe a Ford expert will chime in, but what you’re proposing might be possible. I “think” Ford used Dana Super 60 front axles on all the superduty series from 250 to 550 back in your vintage of truck.
That would be a good start. But I’d think you’d need to replace the entire knuckle, at a minimum to match the mounting points of the larger calipers. Beyond that, idk if the hubs, axle length, dia, number of splines, etc are the same or not. It would be a great upgrade though if it works.