I need new tires and I am considering moving up to 265/75r16 from the 255/70. Are there issues that I should be concerned about. The speed being off doesn't bother me. I am worried about the ABS and the trany. I live in the mountains of PA and I think it would drive me crazy if it constantly shifted. I have the 3.55 gears. Any thoughts???

 

Where I live the ground is pretty flat, but that size change makes mine shift up and down a lot on slight grades and strong head-winds. To the point that it is really annoying (the straight pipes screaming add a lil more noise!). But, don't take just my word for it. My truck may be wore out at 83,000 miles


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'97 F-150 Lariat Ext. Cab 4X4

• White/Silver, 4.6L, Auto.
• Tinted Windows/Bedmat/Toolbox/Lund Bug Deflector
• 265/75/16 BFGoodrich on polished 16x8 AR-136's
• Cat-back Dual Exhaust
• Polar Bear Grille Guard

[This message has been edited by Flatlander (edited 10-17-2000).]

 

UCRed
the 265/16's will definately change your shift points--mine did. with 3.73's it shifts down a little sooner on steep grades. if mine starts to shift too often i usually have to kick off the overdrive and pay for it by burning more fuel.


97f250ld sc xlt 4x4 4.6l a.t. alpine audio 265/75R16 bridgestone dueler a/t odysse toneau cover


[This message has been edited by connor (edited 10-18-2000).]

 

I have the 265's AND the 4.10 gears, No problem with hills or headwinds. even with the 4.2 auto :-)

Good luck

The gears installed were around $550.00
Well worth it. It will save your tranny from shifting in and out of gear, trust me on this one. The gear change is the best mod to improve performance, then is was the Superchip

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1998 (50th anniversary series) Solid Pacific Green Metallic F-150 XLT Supercab, 4.2L, Automatic (4R70W), 2WD, Limited Slip, 8.8 axle, Tow Pkg, 6' bed, Rear slider

Accessories added:

Performance:
Superchip / 4.10 gears / K&N air filter / Outerwear’s pre-filter / Ravin Z-55 muffler signal 3" in, dual 2.25" out

Suspension:
Edelbrock IAS shocks / Hellwig rear sway bar

Other accessories "added":
Color keyed outer grill / Perfect-fit bra / Stull polished grills / (4) 3A Racing 55 watt driving lights / (2) **** Cepek 150 watt driving lights, all controlled by SPDT switches / Clear corners / Fiberglass hood / Chrome F-150 emblems w/ side indicator markers / Trenz billet antenna / Power mirrors / Custom painted mirror housings / Muth signal mirrors / Driver side grab handle / White face gauges / Lloyd custom colored and embroidered floor mats Husky floor liners / B-Quiet sound deadener / Carr side steps / 3" rear seat lift / Black Max soft tonneau cover / Black Max cargo cleats / 3" body lift / OEM Chrome differential cover / Smart Park 2000 / (2) Lighted Ford logos / (2) KC HiLight 55 watt back-up lights / Viper 550 alarm (remote start) / OEM fender flares / Lift lips / BFG AT's 265/75/16 tires / (Custom painted OEM air dam, antenna cover, tailgate handle, slotted taillight covers, all plastic covers under the hood, and stone guards) / 23 tooth speed-O gear.......

Stereo:
still building......

Boston ProSeries 6.5" / Competitor 10" Subwoofer / Stock head unit with 6 CD changer.

Contact me at;
lmaox10@hotmail.com

 

I just changed over from 245's to 265 BFG All Terrains this week. I can definatly feel a difference when climbing hills. The truck does shift sooner but it's not bad. Truck rides better also. I went to bigger tires to get the torque moved up the band alittle. With 245's and the Supercharger wet roads can be alittle wild! I need more traction as snow is coming soon.

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2000 XLT supercab, 4x4 7700lb. package, 5.4L, 3.73 LS,skids,rear sway-bar,CD changer,MagnaCharger, Flowmaster,Superchip, Airaid, Gibson Headers, Island Blue

 

Hey thanks for the input. Soory about the delayed response. Sometimes I don't have free time to get on line. Anyway I just got home after having the 265/75 installed. The guy I get my tires off of is great. I explained my concerns and he said that I could try them for 500 miles and see what I think. Unfortunately thats about 3-4 days for me. So if I don't like them he will switch me back to the 255/70. Can't go wrong in my opinion.

I can say that the truck looks great with the bigger tires. I wish I lived further from the tire store so I could have checked them out tonight. I'll keep you posted.

 

I too am thinking of 265/75s instead of my 245/75s. I tow heavy loads often. I really don't want to loose any more power. I'm also concerned with accuracy of the speedo and odometer. I've got a '97 250 with the 5.4, superchip, 3.73s, upgraded exhaust and air intake. Maybe I should stick with the 245s. Dave.

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'97 F-250 LD 3dr 4x4 5.4 (toy hauler). '86 Buick Grand National 3.8 SFI Intercooled Turbo V-6 (wifes summer toy). '87 Buick Turbo-T 3.8 SFI Intercooled Turbo V-6 (my summer driver/weekend racer. Nearly stock, 12.3 @ 111mph)

 

Dave,
I went from the 255/70 to the 265/75 and I did notice a little power loss. I have made mods as well(no chip) and I think that helped alot. I personally think I would be better off with different gears. I have 3.55 and would go to 4.10 if I was to change. Since you have the 3.73 you would be in better shape than I am. Even with the loss of power I still would do it again just because the tires look so good. It now looks like a the tires that were supposed to come on it are in place. For me it was the same thing as when I switched out the crapy exhaust for the duals, so now the truck sounds like it has a v-8. Since my new tires are an inch + taller my speedo is off by 3MPH at 70. There is a web site called powerdog.com that yo can put in your current and future tire sizes and get the diameter and percetage change. Then go to the site 4Lo.com to compute speed, gear ratio, etc. Good luck.