Last fall I purchased a 2002 Super cab 4x4. To get the color I wanted I had to take a couple of options that I figured could be overlooked. The first was the 4.6 engine and the second was the tires. The 4.6 does all I need it to now. The tires, however, are way too small for the truck (235/75/16). It is such a great looking truck except the tires look wrong (kind of like John Candy in a Speedo). I want to fill up the wheel wells a bit without losing too much from the 4.6. The last time I did a more aggressive tire swap I lost MPG and power, the 4.6 can't afford any loss of either.
Any advice would be appreciated. Dan in KC

 

Depends.....

What you have now is a 29" tall tire. If you go to a 265/75/16, it'll be 31.6 " tall. That'll be enough to change the speedo and odometer, so you'll feel the difference too. I'd say if you go any taller, you'll need new gears. Like a 4.10 or above.

Others say that they are running 35" tall tires with the 3.55 gears and the 4.6 and while they know it's "bogging" them down, it's still driveable...... I can't comment on that, as I don't have 35" tires or the 4.6.

What I can say is I have the 265/75/16's, the 5.4 and 3.55 gears and it's as tall a tire as I'm willing to go with the stock gears.

Since you are saying you don't want to lose any power or MPG, then you'll be ok on both with the 265/75/16's. It's a decent compromise between performance and looks.

Here's a cool site that has a tire/gear calculator. Gives you all the numbers.

http://www.bncoffroad.com/tire_gear_cal.html

 

I'll second everything MitchF150 said. I did the same thing with my 99 xlt 4x4.

With the 265/75R16's your speedometer will be about 9% off. If you choose to have a dealer reprogram the computer, tell them to use the "Off Road Package" tire size 265/70R17, its almost identical.

 

Mitch, This is my first time on this board and I can't figure out how to reply to a reply so I hope you get this.
Thanks for the feed back. You confirmed what I was thinking. I may stop by dealer and drive one with the combo I am looking at and see what my impressions are. I like the tread pattern on your truck. What tires are you running? Dan in KC

 

Hey Dan in KC, Got the reply. Like Doug said too. Ford came out with size of a tire using the 3.55 gears and I'm sure with the 4.6

You will have to find a rig with the 265/70/17 on it to match that of the 265/75/16.

My tires are from a Local tire chain here in the NW. Called Les Schwab tires. They are just called Wild Country Radial APT. They make others with different tread designs. This one is an all around M & S rated tire. I really like 'em. Quiet and are wearing very well. Already have 20k on them and they still look like new. Excellent in the wet and snow. Not much mud, but the time I did get it dirty, they worked fine.

 

ive got the 265/70/17" tires on my truck I still think they look kind of wimpy I think I am going to go with the 285/70/17" tires on my truck I have the 4.6 with 3.55 gears it goes fine the 285's are about an inch and a half taller I'm not too woried about the gear diferance I dont think it will make much diferance the 265 tiers still leave alot of room in the wheel wells

 

man you got the smallest tires FORD puts on these trucks I thought the 255/70 16 on mine were small for a truck I only seen a few trucks with the 235/75 16 and they looked small most of the trucks on the lot have the 255/70 16 when ever I stop by and look at the new ones on the lot.

 

I just checked the sticker to confirm that I have 3.31 gears. That doesn't help, huh? Still need to do something. Just looks wrong.

 

Bummer man...... That's really gonna hurt when / if you go to a taller tire. It's bad enough with 3.55 gears!!

I'll never understand why the (Ford) insists on putting such high gear ratios (or is it low???). Anyway, the minimum should be 3.73's........ I know it's for the corporate gas mileage ratings and all, but really...............

 

I'm not sure where that great gas mileage is. It sure isn't in my truck. Of course, my wife swears she can get 20%+ better than I do in her vehicles. I guess I will hold off until I actually need tires and then go with new gearing as well. Thanks for your input. Dan

 

Bad choice of gears you have.

I'm running one size up from 17" RT/S rubber, I'm running 275/70/17 Goodyear AT/S tires. Slightly wider and around 33.4 inches overall. I have 3.55 gears. Lost a bit with the bigger tires but not that noticeable.

If you want 285 then the 3.55 or better yet 3.73 should be good. I wouldn't go higher than that (4.10s) cause you'll be revving higher on the freeway and your bad gas mileage will go to worse than bad.

The problem with the 17" factory rim is that even 275/70/17 tires look relatively wimpy. A 16 or 15 inch rim with the same overall outside tire diameter will always look more meaty because there's a much taller sidewall (and consequently looser handling).

If you do any serious regular towing then avoid larger than 275 as you'll notice less braking power.

Hey... our trucks could look worse... like those Dodge Rams with huge wheel well openings and 235/15 rubber bands under lotsa factory suspension lift.... LOL.

 

dan,


my truck came with the same exact tires as yours did. it was funny, everyone who saw the truck for the first time said 'nice truck, but whats with the tires?'

i am not ususally concerned with asthetics, which was why i waited till they wore out (almost) before swapping them.
went to 16 x 8 rims (i think the stocks are 16 x 7) and went with a 265/70/16 tire size (recommendations from this board).

the truck now just looks sweet. not to big, not to small, just perfect. i've had it for 3 years and still find myself just looking at it and smiling.

odd thing also, the door stamp confirmed the original tire size, but with the different size now, my speedo is right on the money.

i clocked it 'unoffically' by driving past a few of those trailer things that the police use to keep drivers in check. (even called my town cops to ask where they had one setup). hit it at 25, 30, and 35 each time the speedo was exact reading of the radar gun.

i cant post pictures, but wish i could. ride is great, did not notice any difference in mileage or performance either.

 

Last weekend I went from a 255/70R/16 to a 265/75R16.
The look is Awsome! I'm very happy with the choise. I'm still on the first tank of gas and I still have not noticed and power changes...

All this gear talk is getting me thinking... Does anyone know of a good site for info on Gears and puchasing them. I've recieved some recommendations on the 4.10s, but I really dont know enough yet to make an educated descision. What can I expect to pay?

 

I just put 285/70/17's on my '03 with a manual 4.6 V8. I've noticed a bit of performance loss off the line, but I love the way it looks and handles now. I'm thinking of changing my gear ratio one day, but thought I'd do some research here first. I wonder, would other modifications make up the difference instead? ie) electric fan, performance chip, better exhaust?

 

Exhaust

CAI (cold air intake)

Tuner (xcal 3)

electric fans

underdrive pullies


If you plan on going to a bigger tire in the future than wait till then to regear.

with your current tires 4.10's would help!