17" Wheels on unlifted 2000 LTD?

[Endlessblockades]

An opportunity came up to grab a set of 17x8 wheels from a friend that will fit this rig. I was about to buy a set of AT 16" tires but am wondering what 17" tire dimension I could fit in the unlifted wheel wells if I get these wheels? I plan to do a spring lift later on, but for now, l will leave the suspension alone. I will never be a serious crawler, mall or trail, so the small benefit of sticking with 16" wheels for serious off-roading isn't that big a deal. I do a lot of forest service roads, nothing very aggro. Mainly asking what rubber I could fit without rubbing.

Thanks!

 

[ColoRockyT4R]

I just put on a set of 4th gen sport wheels on my bone stock 2000 limited with o/e size tires and they fit great with absolutely zero clearance issues

 

[Ricktuk]

The wheel doesnt mean as much as Wheel tire height combination. Put low profile tires and the total circumference wont be as much as stock. put tall tires on stock rims and it will rub. Just think a little. But 17" shouldnt have a problem

 

[cahilc]

Poking fun at myself... But I'm trying to go the other way and put 15" rims instead of the stock 16" on an '02.

Two reasons better backspacing and wheel weight.

How much additional unsprung wheel weight are you picking up bumping up to a 17"? Just curious.

Yes it's a "truck" but most folks don't realize the additional weight.

Cheers!

 

[Endlessblockades]

Poking fun at myself... But I'm trying to go the other way and put 15" rims instead of the stock 16" on an '02.

Two reasons better backspacing and wheel weight.

How much additional unsprung wheel weight are you picking up bumping up to a 17"? Just curious.

Yes it's a "truck" but most folks don't realize the additional weight.

Cheers!

From what I read in another thread after refining my Search technique (sry for this super-redundant post), barely any weight at all. I should have mentioned that I was concerned about the 8" wheel width. The 17" wheels I'm considering fit on a 3rd Gen but the thing was all jacked up with a body and suspension lift. I guess I'm wondering about 8" width on a stock 2000 LTD. I guess i can just try it but if it doesn't work I'll have to make another trip to the tire man...

 

[Fishwerks]

Do you know the backspacing of the 17" wheels?

 

[Endlessblockades]

Do you know the backspacing of the 17" wheels?

4.5" Backspacing

0 Offset

They are American Racing Baja wheels and the AM online Chatter said they will fit fine with a normal tire like a 265 70

 

[cahilc]

From what I read in another thread after refining my Search technique (sry for this super-redundant post), barely any weight at all. I should have mentioned that I was concerned about the 8" wheel width. The 17" wheels I'm considering fit on a 3rd Gen but the thing was all jacked up with a body and suspension lift. I guess I'm wondering about 8" width on a stock 2000 LTD. I guess i can just try it but if it doesn't work I'll have to make another trip to the tire man...

For simple comparison looked at Goodyear Trail Runner.

265/70/16 weight is 36lbs.
265/70/17 weight is 47lbs

11lbs difference per tire.

On my '96 running FJ60 chrome steel rims 15" with backspacing of 3.5.

Love the extra 1" on each side. Handles like a completely different truck.

Considering how to get 3.5" backspacing on my' 02 @ 16".

Might simply swap tire sets.

The tire size is 235 vs 265.

The difference between vehicles handling from 3.5" backspace and 4.5" backspace is nothing short of dramatic for me. YRMV.

 

[suthernman258]

Tires

What is the best AT tire for 2wd and mild wheeling dirt roads and such? 265/70/16 is what I have. Stock everything so far.

 

[Fishwerks]

4.5" Backspacing

0 Offset

They are American Racing Baja wheels and the AM online Chatter said they will fit fine with a normal tire like a 265 70

Some trucks are different but yeah you should be okay with a 265/70/17. The 8" width shouldn't make a difference. The backspacing is slightly lower than stock, but I'd just put them on and trim if necessary.