Thanks guys,

I will be going with the 265s.

 

You will lower your MPG with the larger size because they are heavier and wider. I have a friend that went with the 285's and his mileage dropped 1 mpg. I do think the larger size does look better.

 

In general I'd say a larger size looks better too.

Though in this case it seems like I'd have to get out a micrometer and measure up every time to convince people "This 285 is waaayyyy bigger, let me get out my ruler and I'll show you"

If there was a 3" difference I could understand it would be noticable. But with 1" I don't think it's there.

I'd have to put on a 6" lift and get some crazy dino-claw things like the nittos or something for me to really notice "Wow, that's crazy big. That truck scares me and makes me pee my pants, I better run and hide".

285s versus 265, I'm like poindexter out there with my ruler trying to prove the point...that's not scaring anybody.

 

Smart move, go with the 265's.

 

goslow,

I am in the exact same boat as you. I was wondering how the 265's worked out for you.

 

After going back and forth, I decided to go with some dunlop radial mud rovers in 265/70R17.

I'll be putting them on next week (the BFG is a much better overall tire, but I had other things to spend the $200 difference on at the moment).

If I was sticking with the BFGs I would have gotten the 265s, they cost less than the 285s and are practically the same size.

 

I went with the 265's mainly for performance reasons. I have the 4.6 with a 3.55. $750 out the door. Couldn't be happier. They look and ride awesome! Thanks for all the info guys. This site is priceless!

 

I just replaced my BFGoodrich T/A 265/70/17 for the 285. It looks nicer even if it's only one inch taller and is bit wider. The biggest feature was the load D provided on 285s as I do tow the camper occassionally. Yet I lose around 1mpg overall with 285 on my 3.55 gear. Worth my $85 more in my opinion, the goal was to go bit bigger tires without spending more to lift or so forth with better load rating.

 

I have LT 265 70 17 BFG R/T ( load rang E ) on my 04 F-150 at 275.00 cdn, they were quite expensive, 285 or 305 would have broke the bank, but the tires still are brand new.

Brake pad and rottor wear have been bad on my 04 and the FX4 has 285 70 P17 tires, I kinda wounder if the bigger tires are harder on the brakes, but in my case I needed E load tires.

My mileage got better with the LT 265 tires vers p 235 70 17 and I have a 355 LTd slip that will burn up the tires.

 

Yeah I would have went with the 285's as well if I had the 5.4, but I was afraid of ******* down my 4.6 too much. Those 285's weigh 11 lbs more per tire than the 265's! They look really good on your truck by the way.