Questions on aluminum wheel conversion

[stewartjwnls]

I have a couple of F250 4WDs, a 68 and a 72 that I'm looking to change from steel wheels to aluminum.

In doing so, will I have to switch the wheel lug studs and nuts to a longer stud and a 2 piece nut? The aluminum wheels are obviously thicker than the steel. The type of nut that has a flat face that rotates independently from the lug you place the socket on, so as to not mar the aluminum. I'm thinking of the type that were on my 96 F250.

Also, I know I can fit a 16X8 with an 8X6.5 lug pattern on these hubs, but I've been told that the tie rod end on the left? side will rub. Anyone have experience with this? Anyone already put 16 inch aluminum wheels on one of these types of trucks?

I've been told to stick with a 16.5, but that really limits my choice of both wheels and tires. Would moving to 17s solve all the problems?

I have a set of 16X7 aluminum wheels off a 96 superduty with the right pattern and would like to use those for at least on truck if possible. I've put one on the front left, and seems alright, but not sure if that's a good enough test.

Again, thanks for any help.

Jim

[Alvin in AZ]

Wow that was a cool, well written and well thought out post.
No kidding. :)
...I like to use those big sheets of cardboard from Costco. ;) ;) ;)

Butthead in AZ
ps- A guy can use one sheet to pattern ->two<- shots from a shotgun too!
Believe it? :) (...look at the "back" instead of the "front")

[averagef250]

16" wheels will fit on any 8 lug axle. There have been 16" wheels made improperly with the wrong contours or extra thick sections that could interfere, but these have been out of production for decades. Buy new or recently made wheels and you will be fine.

Your lugs must match the wheels. There are many types. The wheels on your 96 250 are likely hubcentric, you likely won't find aftermarket aluminum 8 on 6.5 wheels that are like that, most are lug centric, but some use tapered lug nuts and others use straight ones that fit in the lug hole with a washer.

[stewartjwnls]

16" wheels will fit on any 8 lug axle. There have been 16" wheels made improperly with the wrong contours or extra thick sections that could interfere, but these have been out of production for decades. Buy new or recently made wheels and you will be fine.

Your lugs must match the wheels. There are many types. The wheels on your 96 250 are likely hubcentric, you likely won't find aftermarket aluminum 8 on 6.5 wheels that are like that, most are lug centric, but some use tapered lug nuts and others use straight ones that fit in the lug hole with a washer.

The wheels I have are off a 90s era super duty. I had planned to put in longer lug studs/bolts and use the washer style lug nuts. Tried one of the wheels on the left front, and it looks like they'll fit, but the tie rod end is very close with the wheels pointed straight.

[ScreaminZ]

Lucky for you the tie rod moves with the wheel, so it's not going to get any closer to the wheel when you turn.

[averagef250]

Hundreds of millions of people have installed 16" wheels on all years of ford F250 and F350 4x4's. There is no clearance issue. 15" wheels will not fit on disc brake 8 lug trucks.

[stewartjwnls]

Not sure what the guy who told me this was running into.

I will defer to the general opinion of those on this forum, and see what happens.

Thanks all.