Bigger is better?
#1
08-07-2000, 12:03 AM
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Location: Lincroft,NJ,US
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Bigger is better?
You'll see by my signature what kinda wheels/tires I have, they look small though.
Probably because the offroad package didn't originally come with the truck when it was new, so they gave me the standard set.
Most 4x4 offroad packaged trucks have at least 17" if not 18" wheels.
My question is, how will larger wheels (17 or 18") affect performance? More gas/less pickup? Can anyone go through the pros/cons of smaller wheels vs larger ones?
Thanks,
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97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars
heavy duty shocks
Probably because the offroad package didn't originally come with the truck when it was new, so they gave me the standard set.
Most 4x4 offroad packaged trucks have at least 17" if not 18" wheels.
My question is, how will larger wheels (17 or 18") affect performance? More gas/less pickup? Can anyone go through the pros/cons of smaller wheels vs larger ones?
Thanks,
------------------
97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars
heavy duty shocks
#2
08-07-2000, 09:33 AM
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Spartan
The ORP in Ford includes only 17" wheels, there's no 18" option from the factory.
Bigger is better?, not always. There is a purpose behind every size. Depends on the purpose like off-roading, looks, shows,...etc. All this will tell more or less how much you need. And of course your taste is very important in the selection. It's a matter of choices.
If performance is very important to you, then you will have to keep an eye in the combination of tire/wheels you are using and the gears as well.
Basically if you let the gears to be the same and take a specific speed to make the comparison, larger tires will lower engine reps, hence less pick up. Smaller tires will rev more the engine, more gas consuming and more pick up. Either case will throw off your speedo so you will need to recalibrate (depending on how much of a change it was) to get a more accurate reading.
Changing subject, did you personally installed the Bosch's spark plugs? If yes, how was that experience? I will be doing that upgrade later.
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98 4x4 Lariat SC 5.4L ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 LS in oxford white two tone. Only modifications, K&N Filtercharger, Stepshield door sill protectors and 3" Performance Accesories body lift.
The ORP in Ford includes only 17" wheels, there's no 18" option from the factory.
Bigger is better?, not always. There is a purpose behind every size. Depends on the purpose like off-roading, looks, shows,...etc. All this will tell more or less how much you need. And of course your taste is very important in the selection. It's a matter of choices.
If performance is very important to you, then you will have to keep an eye in the combination of tire/wheels you are using and the gears as well.
Basically if you let the gears to be the same and take a specific speed to make the comparison, larger tires will lower engine reps, hence less pick up. Smaller tires will rev more the engine, more gas consuming and more pick up. Either case will throw off your speedo so you will need to recalibrate (depending on how much of a change it was) to get a more accurate reading.
Changing subject, did you personally installed the Bosch's spark plugs? If yes, how was that experience? I will be doing that upgrade later.
------------------
98 4x4 Lariat SC 5.4L ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 LS in oxford white two tone. Only modifications, K&N Filtercharger, Stepshield door sill protectors and 3" Performance Accesories body lift.
#3
08-07-2000, 10:54 AM
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#4
08-07-2000, 08:58 PM
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Regarding the spark plugs, actually the original owner, from this very website, Tina, installed them, you should get in contact with her.
I like the general performance of the tires right now, but the look is just small, too small in my opinion for a large 4x4.
------------------
97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars
heavy duty shocks
I like the general performance of the tires right now, but the look is just small, too small in my opinion for a large 4x4.
------------------
97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars
heavy duty shocks
#5
08-08-2000, 01:52 PM
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Spartan
I agree with the size of the tires. I know you will be able to do something about it. These trucks are big, so I hate when I see a mini pick up with stock 31's or larger if upgraded and out of the dealer, for example, super duty's with tiny wheels.
In several weeks I will be buying what I call nice tires for my 4x4.
------------------
98 4x4 Lariat SC 5.4L ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 LS in oxford white two tone. Only modifications, K&N Filtercharger, Stepshield door sill protectors and 3" Performance Accesories body lift.
I agree with the size of the tires. I know you will be able to do something about it. These trucks are big, so I hate when I see a mini pick up with stock 31's or larger if upgraded and out of the dealer, for example, super duty's with tiny wheels.
In several weeks I will be buying what I call nice tires for my 4x4.
------------------
98 4x4 Lariat SC 5.4L ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 LS in oxford white two tone. Only modifications, K&N Filtercharger, Stepshield door sill protectors and 3" Performance Accesories body lift.
#6
08-08-2000, 02:32 PM
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If I remember correctly Tina's husband put them in. I might be wrong. And no doubt He taught their kids some new words in the process! 
They are a booger to do. With any kind of plug for that matter. I finally just took mine to the dealer and paid him $50 to do it
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2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP - 345 FP Torque version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console, Ford moulded mud gaurds, K&N Air and Oil filter, Amsoil XL7500 5W-30, Air filter minder, Perma Cool 8" (800 CFM) Tranny Cooler Fan (manualy switched).
They are a booger to do. With any kind of plug for that matter. I finally just took mine to the dealer and paid him $50 to do it
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2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP - 345 FP Torque version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console, Ford moulded mud gaurds, K&N Air and Oil filter, Amsoil XL7500 5W-30, Air filter minder, Perma Cool 8" (800 CFM) Tranny Cooler Fan (manualy switched).
#7
08-08-2000, 03:29 PM
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#8
08-08-2000, 07:05 PM
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These guys are correct. The wheel doesn't matter as far as acceleration and MPG. It's all in the tire size. I'd stick with the 16" due to a much greater selection of tires. The truck should handle a little better with 17" rims and tires though.
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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Short Bed. Amazon Green, 5.4L, SuperCab, ORP, Tow Package, Sliding Rear Window, Electronic Shift, Keyless Entry, LT265-70-17 Tires, Clarion Pro Audio, Herculiner Bedliner, Air Silencer Removed.
1994 SVT Mustang Cobra. #1032 of 6009. Black coupe with black leather int., 3.73 rear, Bassani Exhaust, Aluminum D/S, Bridgestone RE-71 255-45-ZR17
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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Short Bed. Amazon Green, 5.4L, SuperCab, ORP, Tow Package, Sliding Rear Window, Electronic Shift, Keyless Entry, LT265-70-17 Tires, Clarion Pro Audio, Herculiner Bedliner, Air Silencer Removed.
1994 SVT Mustang Cobra. #1032 of 6009. Black coupe with black leather int., 3.73 rear, Bassani Exhaust, Aluminum D/S, Bridgestone RE-71 255-45-ZR17
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