Wheel size too big?

[Trappey74]

Is going from 15" to 16's going to be an extra heavy lug on a bone stock 74 302. Engine has 44k mikes on it. Or would you recommend sticking with 15's and finding a wheel I like? Running 31's now I think but want to go up to 33's

 

[Jakedog]

You'll be fine with 16`s. Plus there seems to be more tire choices with the 16.

 

[bronconut73]

16's are often truck tires. They can have way too high of a weight rating for an eb.
So choose carefully and get a C rated tire instead of the more common E rated tire in 16's. There are C rated 16's just look carefully.
More size's to choose from in 16's.

 

[Broncobowsher]

16s were a stock wheel size option for many years.
The overall tire diameter is what will matter more for stressing the vehicle (sluggish acceleration, heating the transmission, poor braking, rubbing and interference)
At this point I would even consider a 17" rim an acceptable choice.

 

[Timmy390]

Fighting with this myself.....

I'm running 16's right now and might move up to 17's

Current, 265/75/16's 31ish

Future, 285/75/16's 33ish
or
Future, 285/7017's 33ish

Tim

 

[toddsrods]

most of the 285's in the 16 inch rim are E rated 10 ply tires.
although hard to kill,a great size, but way to heavy and rough ride.

 

[Timmy390]

most of the 285's in the 16 inch rim are E rated 10 ply tires.
although hard to kill,a great size, but way to heavy and rough ride.

The 285's I'm looking are are E's and weigh 56 pounds each

Tim

 

[bronconut73]

most of the 285's in the 16 inch rim are E rated 10 ply tires.
although hard to kill,a great size, but way to heavy and rough ride.

Thank you Todd /\/\THIS/\/\

 

[NGABronco]

I don't really think 15" to 16" is your question, going from 31" to 33", no matter what wheel size is going to put a strain on a 302, auto or standard tranny, without some additional gearing! Just my 2 cents!!;D;D;D

 

[Broncmeister]

I put 18's with 35's on about 8 years ago and haven't had any issues yet.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I don't really think 15" to 16" is your question, going from 31" to 33", no matter what wheel size is going to put a strain on a 302, auto or standard tranny, without some additional gearing! Just my 2 cents!!;D;D;D

Correct!

What is your gearing right now?

 

[Trappey74]

Correct!

What is your gearing right now?

No clue. Whatever it came with

 

[Bukin 67]

No clue. Whatever it came with

Standard factory rear with V8 was 3.50. 4.11 was an option though.

 

[Broncobowsher]

For 33s---
3.50 gears will be a dog. It will move around and probably be OK on the highway. You will be into the torque convertor to make up the torque you don't have with real gears. That is not efficient. Makes for a lot of transmission heat and that heat comes from wasted fuel.
4.11 gears have proven to work very nice without an overdrive transmission (The C4 falls into this catagory).

 

[Timmy390]

For 33s---
3.50 gears will be a dog. It will move around and probably be OK on the highway. You will be into the torque convertor to make up the torque you don't have with real gears. That is not efficient. Makes for a lot of transmission heat and that heat comes from wasted fuel.
4.11 gears have proven to work very nice without an overdrive transmission (The C4 falls into this catagory).

Yes, 4.11's minimum. Looking back I kind of want 4:30's but what's done is done....

Tim

 

[Nothing Special]

most of the 285's in the 16 inch rim are E rated 10 ply tires.
although hard to kill,a great size, but way to heavy and rough ride.

I used to have 235/85-16 load range E tires on a J**p CJ5. With the tire pressure around 30 psi they were fine on the road. But at 10 psi they were still way to stiff off road (I didn't want to go lower than that). So I wouldn't feel too bad about putting those tires on my Bronco for street use, but I'll stay with load range C since I use it off-road too.