I have 97 F150 with the Off Road Package and 4.6 litre stock 3.55 gears. My question is would there be gain in towing power by going to a smaller diameter tire/wheel,265 to a 255 or 245? I know that the literture says to decrease your weight by 500# with the Off Road package. Obviosly you increase your gear ratio by going to a larger diameter tire. My 4.6 seems to struggle at times.

Thanks klh

 

Technically, yes.

Whether you'd notice the difference is doubtful.

To calculate the difference, figure the ratio of the diameter difference between your current and future tires, and multiply that ratio against your engine RPM at a given speed -- and you'd have your new engine RPM.

The advantage of spinning the engine faster is simply one of moving along (up) the horsepower curve for any given vehicle speed.