Will 35 tires fit on a stock F350 dually?
In practice, a stock Ford F-350 Super Duty with dual rear wheels is not designed to run 35-inch tires with its factory wheels and suspension. Achieving a 35-inch tire setup typically requires changing wheels, and often adding suspension clearance, fender work, and calibration adjustments. The exact feasibility depends on the year, trim, and the specific 35-inch tire size you have in mind.
What determines whether 35s will fit
Before choosing a specific tire, several hardware and clearance factors decide whether a 35-inch tire can physically mount and clear on a stock F-350 dually.
- Wheel diameter compatibility: Dual-rear-wheel F-350 models commonly ride on 19.5-inch wheels. Most 35-inch tires are built for 20-inch or larger wheels, so you may need to change wheel sizes to accommodate the taller tire tall height.
- Backspacing and offset: The wheel’s backspacing/offset determines how far the tire sits inboard or outboard. A mismatch can cause rubbing on control arms, calipers, or fender edges.
- Suspension clearance: The factory suspension height limits how much tire diameter you can clear without rubbing on fenders, liners, or underbody components—especially during turns or full articulation.
- Fender and body clearance: The front fender lips, inner wheel wells, and rear fender area may rub when turning or flexing, particularly with wide tires.
- Brake caliper and knuckle clearance: Wider tires on stock or near-stock brakes can rub calipers, rotors, or steering knuckles if not matched to the wheel and tire combination.
- Drivetrain and calibration: Larger tires change overall gearing and speedometer readings; ABS and hill-descent systems can be affected unless recalibrated.
Bottom line: Without wheel and suspension modifications, 35s will either not fit or will rub in a stock DRW F-350.
What you would typically need to make it work
If you still want to pursue 35-inch tires on a stock F-350 dually, these are the common steps and components involved.
- New wheels with appropriate diameter and offset: Upgrading to 20-inch or larger wheels with correct backspacing to accommodate the wider tire and maintain proper track width.
- Suspension modification: A leveling kit or a mild lift to gain necessary clearance and prevent rubbing during flex and articulation.
- Fender work: Trimming or rolling the fender lips or liners to prevent contact with the tire, and possibly using compatible aftermarket fender flares.
- Tire choice: Selecting a 35-width tire that fits the chosen wheel size and provides workable clearance; some 35x12.5R20 or 35x12.5R22.5 options are common, but confirm they fit the wheel and suspension combo.
- Drivetrain and calibration: Reprogramming or tuning to correct speedometer/odometer readings and ensure proper ABS/transfer-case behavior; possible gear ratio changes to maintain towing performance and efficiency.
- Compliance and warranty considerations: Be mindful that substantial tire/wheel modifications can affect warranty coverage, insurance, and may have legal or local road-use implications.
If you proceed with these modifications, work with a qualified shop to verify clearances in all steering positions, verify alignment, and test-fit on your exact truck configuration.
Practical alternatives to 35s
If your goal is larger-than-stock appearance or improved off-road capability without the complexity of a full 35-inch conversion, consider these safer alternatives.
- Smaller step up: Fit 33- or 34-inch tires with the appropriate wheel size and a modest leveling kit to gain some clearance without dramatic changes to gearing or calibration.
- 35s with limited modifications: Some owners run 35s on DRWs with significant wheel and suspension upgrades and professional tuning; this is not a plug-and-play setup and requires careful planning.
- Alternative tire options: Look for tall, narrow tires designed for heavy trucks that might clear with less aggressive modification, or consider a wheel-and-tump setup that preserves payload and handling.
Always assess the impact on payload, towing capacity, fuel economy, warranty, and overall drivability before committing to a large tire upgrade.
Bottom line and recommended steps
For a stock F-350 dually, 35-inch tires are generally not a direct fit. If you truly want to run 35s, plan for new wheels, potential lifting or leveling, fender work, and drivetrain recalibration, all installed by a qualified technician. If you’re uncomfortable with extensive modifications or want to preserve warranty, you may want to stay with stock sizes or opt for a smaller upgrade with appropriate clearance.
Summary
In summary, 35-inch tires do not typically fit a stock F-350 dually without modifications. The key limitations are wheel size compatibility, clearance in the suspension and fenders, and drivetrain recalibration. A successful 35-inch setup usually requires new wheels with the correct backspacing, possible suspension adjustments, fender work, and tuning—but it comes with cost, complexity, and potential warranty implications. Consult a reputable tire and lift specialist to evaluate your exact truck year, trim, and goals.
