We’ve written extensively about the American made Ford F-150 and numerous questions you can have about this car.
Today, we will talk about the information you need to have to select the correct new tires or rims for your F-150. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation.
Let’s start with a quick answer to the question: What is the exact bolt pattern of a Ford-150?
All generations of the Ford F-150 have a bolt pattern of 6×5.31 inch (6x135mm), a center bore of 3.42 inch (87.1mm), and six lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 2.0 (2004 – 2014) or M14 x 1.5 (2015 and older), that need to be tightened with 150lb-ft (204Nm) of force.
However, that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. While we’ve talked about the bolt pattern of all Ford models in this article we’ve outlined the F-150s bolt pattern in more detail for each generation.
We also discuss what lugs/bolts are used precisely, the exact diameter of the center bore hub, and the torque specifications of the bolts.
Finally, we also have information about each engine type’s exact tire size and rim size. You should know precisely what you can and cannot buy this way. Read on!
Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation
To fit a wheel properly on your F-150, you’ll need to know more aspects than just the bolt pattern. Below we’ve outlined all the factors you should be aware of for each generation of the F-150. These include: center bore diameter, wheel tightening torque, whether lug nuts or bolts are used, and the thread size of the bolts.
We also want to clarify that the below-listed specifications are the same for all models within that generation. The F-150, of course, comes in different trim levels and engine options. However, these bolt patterns, lugs used, and torque specifications do not change for other models within a generation.
Furthermore, we also listed the exact tire and rim size used with each engine option to give you a precise idea of what tires you can and cannot buy.
2020 – 2022
- Ford F-150 with a 2.7 EcoBoost V6 or 3.3Ti V6 engine has a standard tire size of 245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/60R18 or 275/65R18 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44, 7.5Jx17 ET44, 7.5Jx18 ET34 or 7.5Jx18 ET44.
- Ford F-150 with a 3.0TD V6 or 5.0Ti V8 engine has a standard tire size of 245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/60R18, 275/65R18 or 275/60R20 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44, 7.5Jx17 ET44, 7.5Jx18 ET34, 7.5Jx18 ET44 or 8.5Jx20 ET44.
- Ford F-150 with a 3.5 EcoBoost V6 or 3.5 PowerBoost V6 engine has a standard tire size of 245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/60R18, 275/65R18, 275/60R20 or 275/50R22 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44, 7.5Jx17 ET44, 7.5Jx18 ET34, 7.5Jx18 ET44, 8.5Jx20 ET44 or 9Jx22 ET44.
2018 – 2020
- Ford F-150 with a 2.7GTDi V6, 3.0TD V6, 3.3Ti V6, 3.5GTDi V6 or 5.0Ti V8 engine has a standard tire size of 245/70R17 or 265/70R17 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44 or 7.5Jx17 ET44.
- Ford F-150 with a 3.5GTDi V6 engine has a standard tire size of LT315/70R17 and a standard rim size of 8.5Jx17 ET34.
2015 – 2017
- Ford F-150 with a 2.7GTDi V6, 3.5Ti V6, 3.5GTDi V6 or 5.0Ti V8 engine has a standard tire size of 245/70R17 or 265/70R17 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44.
2011 – 2014
- Ford F-150 with a 3.5 V6 , 3.7 V6 or 5.0 V8 engine has a standard tire size of 255/70R17 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44.
- Ford F-150 with a 3.5 HD V6, 5.0 HD V8 or 6.2 HD V8 engine has a standard tire size of LT245/75R17 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44.
- Ford F-150 with a 6.2 V8 engine has a standard tire size of LT315/70R17 and a standard rim size of 8.5Jx17 ET34.
2009 – 2010
- Ford F-150 with a 4.6 V8 engine has a standard tire size of 255/70R17 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44.
- Ford F-150 with a 4.6 HD V8, 5.4 HD V8 or 5.4i HD V8 engine has a standard tire size of LT245/75R17 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44.
- Ford F-150 with a 5.4 V8 or 5.4i V8 engine has a standard tire size of 265/60R18 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx18 ET44.
2004 – 2008
- Ford F-150 with a 4.2 V6 or 4.6 V8 engine has a standard tire size of 235/75R17, 235/70R17, 255/65R17 or 255/70R17 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44.
- Ford F-150 with a 4.6 HD V8 or 5.4 HD V8 engine has a standard tire size of LT245/70R17 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET44.
- Ford F-150 with a 5.4 V8 engine has a standard tire size of 265/60R18 or 275/65R18 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx18 ET44.
Retightening The Bolts
As said before, most generations of the F-150 that we discussed have six lug nuts. These need to be secured in a specific way when you mount the wheel to the car again.
This information is stated in the owner’s manual, but we’ve gone through the effort of instructing you here. Ford advises you to bolt these nuts in the way that’s shown below. You have to follow a crisscross pattern.
You do this by tightening all the nuts with a wheel wrench first. Please make sure only to tighten them halfway; otherwise, you’ll run into problems.
In the second round, you tighten them with the wheel wrench to the appropriate lbs-ft or Nm that we’ve stated earlier. Please note that the newest generation of the F-150 needs to have the bolts tightened to 150 lb-ft.
It’s expected that your wheel also have a center cap or cover. These need to be secured in the same pattern. Please tighten them first-hand snug with your hands. Then, use the wheel wrench to tighten them another one-quarter turn.
It’s also important to check if the lug nuts are still secured after 30 miles (48 kilometers). Please make sure they are all in place and still tightened with the proper force. If not, tighten them again and recheck. If this keeps happening, you’ll need to replace the wheel.
When Or Why To Rotate/Change Tires
Suppose you’re changing your tire. You also need to know when to change or rotate it precisely. Let’s first talk about changing your tires. Tires usually last around 60,000 – 75,000 miles or 4-5 years. After this period they need to be replaced.
Sometimes this happens earlier, and therefore, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the tread wear indicators. These are shown in the image below. These indicators show when the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or less tread remaining.
Another occasion when you’ll need to take off your tires is when you’re rotating them. In the owner’s manual of the F-150, it’s said that this needs to happen every 5,000 – 7,500 miles for vehicles with FWD or AWD.
Rotate the tires every 3,000 – 5,000 miles if your vehicle has AWD. It’s advised you rotate the tires in the exact way that’s shown below. The front tires are moved to the back, and the front tires move crisscross to the front.
Closing Thoughts
In this article, we’ve taken a deep dive into the detailed specifications of the Ford F-150’s bolt pattern. From understanding the basics of bolt pattern sizes across all generations to exploring the finer nuances of lugs, the diameter of the center bore hub, and the bolts’ torque specifications, we’ve tried to cover it all!
While understanding the bolt patterns and rim specifications is essential, being aware of the common problems associated with Ford F-150 is equally vital. Whether we’re talking about a specific model like the Ford F-150 Raptor and its issues, or more nuanced problems like the Ford F-150 experiences with Shift Linkage.
In the complex world of automotive mechanics, such knowledge is crucial. It helps optimize your vehicle’s performance and safety, safeguarding your investment in the long run.
We hope you found this guide useful and that it equips you with the tools you need to enhance your Ford F-150 ownership experience. Remember, every detail matters – even down to the exact bolt pattern! Happy driving!
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!