Ok, so besides $250 or so on the Lariat, what's the difference between P and LT tires? I think P stands for 'passenger' and LT for 'light truck,' but what is the real difference in the tires? are the LT's worth the upgrade given that they are the same size (275)?

 

aren't the "P's" 265's?

Tread pattern and terrain capabilities....LT's are just a more aggressive treaded tire ....

 

I believe the LTs have a heavier side wall as well. Will probably give you a slightly harsher ride than the Ps...maybe is has a higher ply rating...not sure.

 

they offer P's in both 265 and 275. the LT275s are standard on FX4, optional on Lariat.

 

The P's are standard with FX4 or Lariat, LT's are optional on either. The techinical difference between them has to do with how the size is measured, P stands for P Metric and LT is Light truck. I don't have any with the LT tire option, but based on previous F-150's, I'd guess that after the tire size listing there will be a letter C which means heavier load rating (usualy through more plys which makes a tire more puncture resistant).

Also the tread is more agressive on the LT option in the F-150, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S is what they are and are a fairly agressive tread for a factory tire.

 

It depends on what you intend to do with the tire. P does stand for passenger and LT does stand for light truck. The primary difference is the buildup of the tire internally. LT tires typically have more/stiffer sidewall and tread plies. This will typically make the tire ride slightly rougher. However, with the new suspension systems you really don't notice any difference.

In a nutshell, most uses P's are fine. Rugged/borderline abusive uses get the LT's.

That is why Ford makes the LT's standard when you get skid plates. They figure if you need the skid plates you are likely not going to be babying your tires.

 

LT's are "not" Standard on the FX4, the P tire is standard and the the Skid Plate is also Standard, in fact the Skid Plate is not an option on the FX4.


Yet, they use a P tire as Standard equipment on an Off Road Package, go figure. They must know that most folks who buy these FX4's do not take them Off Road, and therefore use the P and not the LT as Standard Equipment.

 

thanks for the help. in the end i don't think it will matter since i am going to put aftermarket wheels and tires on mine, so i will probably get the cheapest factory wheels and tires i can because they will be coming off real quick.

and while we're on the subject, what do aftermarket mods do to the warranty? are wheels and tires ok? exhaust systems? any thoughts XCR? thanks.

 

As to voiding warranty, you'll get a different answer from each dealer you ask. Its kind of a dealer discretion thing right now. In my opionion wheels and tires shouldn't affect anything else (unless you put HUGE wheels and tires), and exhaust shouldn't matter either. Other things I feel should. A Supercharger in my opinion would affect drivetrain durabiltiy. Chips are another story. I recomend if installing one to use a programer type so it can be taken out when going in for service. Chips give our diagnostic tools a lot of problems and often lead tech's on a wild goose chase. I don't belive they should void warranty, but if installed and add diag time, the customer should be responsible for this. But again its a dealer discretion thing right now.

 

P series tires don't belong on trucks. I replaced the stock P rated tires on the 150 with new Michelin LT tires. They are C rated and if you look at the load rating it is higher. Plus, the Michelins are fantastic tires. Even though they have the stiffer LT sidewall construction, they actually ride smoother than the cheapo P rated tires, which BTW also "pulled."

Radials sometimes experience a shift of their belts causing the tire to roll unevenly, leading to a pull as if the front end is out of alignment. The cheaper tires, and tires pushing their upper weight limit, are more prone to this due to increased stresses on the tires.

Go with LT tires. The only reason P series get on these trucks is because they are cheaper for the manufacturer.