Ford E-350 Tire Question

Tiny
MUABAO
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  • 1935 FORD F-350
Hello,
I just bought a used 1990 Ford E-350 van with the 7.5L engine. It came with 4 new tires, TL 235/85/16R. I have another van that also has almost brand-new tires but with different size: TL 245/75/16R. I would like to find a way to lower the overall height on the van I just bought so it can fit in my garage. My question is: Is it safe to replace the tires with the TL 245/75/16R ones, or must I stay with the factory 235/85/16R? If it MUST stay at 235, can I replace them with TL 235/75/16R (only the profile number is changed)?
Bottom line is I'd like to find a way to lower the van so it can fit in the garage so any other suggestion is appreciated.
Thank you for any help.
MB
Monday, November 13th, 2006 AT 9:57 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
The tires are LT for Light Truck. Put the LT tires on that make the vehicle fit, but remember, once you screw with the tire sizes you need to replace the send of the tranny to adjust the speedometer reading and odometer.
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Monday, November 13th, 2006 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
MUABAO
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Hi Mr Hunt,

Thank you for your quick reply & help. Just so that I'm clear on this: It's ok to replace the current tires with the lower-profile ones? How about changing from 235 to 245. Is that recommended or not?

Thanks again,
MB
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Monday, November 13th, 2006 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
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P185/70R13 The number after the slash, in this case “70, ” is a percentage: the percentage the distance from the rim to the tread (in a properly mounted and inflated tire not supporting a car) is of the width of the tire. In this example it is 70, so 70% of 185 = 129.5; from the rim to the road is 129.5 mm (about 5.1 inches). Basically, the number tells you how tall the tire is; it is usually called the aspect ratio or the profile of the tire.

Your only concern should be the speedometer and the maximum load limit of the new tires.
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Monday, November 13th, 2006 AT 2:23 PM

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