Winter tires and wheels

[Sobmartin]

I just traded my 2016 f150 for a Lightning Flash. The 2016 used 18” rims. Is it safe to drop down to the 18” rims with heavier weight tire for winter? Hate to buy new 20” rims for 4 months of use.

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[PreservedSwine]

EDIT- deleting response as response below far more well informed

 

[tls]

It depends which 18" rims you have left over from the 2016 and also whether your Flash has the SR or ER battery.

The only 18" Ford wheels that are rated for the weight of the ER trucks are the "64H" wheels from the F150 Heavy Duty Payload Package.

 

[Grease Lightning]

I just traded my 2016 f150 for a Lightning Flash. The 2016 used 18” rims. Is it safe to drop down to the 18” rims with heavier weight tire for winter? Hate to buy new 20” rims for 4 months of use.

It really will depend on your use case. While most F-150 rims will not be rated for the Lightning’s max capacities, if you will not be hauling or putting in the max capacity for the wheel, it may be perfectly fine.

Always keep in mind insurance and attorneys love to find something like that to redirect blame and responsibility.

 

[Sobmartin]

Thanks for the information.
OK need to,buy 20” wheels. Are there any “inexpensive” rims out there? I don’t want to. spend $180 + for a fancy rim

 

[Henry Ford]

Where do you live? I find snow tires entirely unnecessary in Michigan. The traction control combined with the weight and low center of mass make the Lightning an exceptional winter handling vehicle. Depending on your circumstances you might find that you don't need snow tires.

 

[Sobmartin]

we live in the eastern foothills of the Cascade mt of Washington. Our driveway slopes from 1500 feet to 600 ft and we usually get 90” to 120” of snow

 

[Tony Burgh]

we live in the eastern foothills of the Cascade mt of Washington. Our driveway slopes from 1500 feet to 600 ft and we usually get 90” to 120” of snow

YOU NEED SNOWS.
I picked up a take off set of F150 20” wheels and vetted them through Ford. I used the Ford Parts Website and requested and received confirmation in writing. I took the 4 old snow tires that I used on my 2015 Lariat that are 113R but I know I won’t exceed the 10,000 pound rating the four tires provide. Also, being an engineer who designed reactors, heat exchangers, pressure vessels and more, there is safety built in to meet and exceed the specs. I trust and use those tire November through April every year.

 

[VTbuckeye]

Back in 2022 when my lightning was on order I found a set of grid off-road wheels gd08 for 90/wheel new. I have the 18 inch 18mm offset wheels in bronze with Continental Vikingcontact 7 tires. I probably don't need winter tires, but it is safer that way when the weather gets bad. It it saves one accident it has paid for itself. I have never seen them at that price since then. They have a load capacity well on excess of the regular lightning wheels. I didn't pick them for looks, as the price was so good, but they really don't look bad.
https://www.grid-offroad.com/wheel-collection/gd8/

 

[potato]

Thanks for the information.
OK need to,buy 20” wheels. Are there any “inexpensive” rims out there? I don’t want to. spend $180 + for a fancy rim

You don't need to buy 20" wheels if you don't want to. But you do need wheels that are rated for the weight. I bought some aftermarket 18" alloys for my winter set. Fast Storm II

 

[tls]

No need to go to 20" and 20" will limit your choice of snow tires. The 18" 64H wheels come up on eBay from time to time and they will work great. Many aftermarket 18" wheels are rated for enough weight too but it can be hard to find one with an offset that doesn't make your truck look stupid.

 

[tls]

$225 each: https://www.ebay.com/itm/234928277079

 

[Schroederhc1]

You can pick up used stock lightning wheels here from time to time. They're perfect for snow tires. I put Nokian on the ones I picked up. Eastern Wa, as well.

 

[Henry Ford]

we live in the eastern foothills of the Cascade mt of Washington. Our driveway slopes from 1500 feet to 600 ft and we usually get 90” to 120” of snow

You don't need snow tires you need snowmobiles!

 

[Shawnson]

Where do you live? I find snow tires entirely unnecessary in Michigan. The traction control combined with the weight and low center of mass make the Lightning an exceptional winter handling vehicle. Depending on your circumstances you might find that you don't need snow tires.

well that’s dangerous, your opinion is suggesting winter tires only are useful for acceleration vs deceleration…. Winter tires most useful point is braking. Where weight works against you and AWD matters nothing.

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