I want to change the factory 235/70 R16 tires out for something a little larger. These tires look too small on my 4x4 and I want something with a taller side wall for off roading. I was thinking about some LT245/75R16. I have not seen this size mentioned much on this forum but this size seems quit popular in Canada. The 245s are about 1.5" taller than the 235s. Is this a big difference and will it have much of an effect on torque, acceleration, and braking?

What I have is a '97 standard cab 4x4, 4.2 L, 5 spd, 3.55 rear end.

Any thoughts?

Also, any recommendations for an excellent agressive all-terrain tire? The Firestone Wilderness tires are not good.

Thanks in advance!

 

I put on Goodyear 265/85 GSA on my 4x2 about a year and a half ago and I love 'em. They raised the truck about an inch or maybe two. The Generals that came on the truck sucked! They would hydroplane at any given chance. Good Luck

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'97 F150 XLT SC Oxford White. Kenwood CD player, cheap amp and cheap 6x9's. K&N filter and Bosch plugs. Goodyear 265/85 GSA tires
Future modifications planned are Gibson exhaust and headers, K&N Generation II, chip, 2" front suspension lift, Infinity components, 2 JBL 8" subs and amps.

 

Hey Boss, the BFGoodrich all-terrain tires are good off road tires.

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1989 F-150 XLT LARIAT 4x4 4.9L I6 5 speed manual tranny 3.55 gears K&N FIPK 3" Flowmaster.I will soon add a 4" lift and 33"tires and other mods too numerous to put here.

 

I too have the stock P235/70R16 tires on my 98 F150 4x4 and plan on switching to a larger size--don't like the small tires in large wheel wells, and want something with a little more off-road capability.

After a year of debating tire sizes, I have decided to go with Bridgestone Dueler AT w/ UNI-T tires in the LT 245/75R16 size when I replace the stock tires in a few weeks.

Other sizes that I considered: LT 265/75R16 and P 265/70R16. I decided to not go with 265/75R16 tires because of the increase in revolutions per mile/relative change of the axle ratio, and I want to retain as much power and towing capability as possible (hey, every little bit helps, right?). Then, while I really like the idea of P 265/70R16 tires (265/70R16 tires are essentially the same overall diameter as 245/75R16 tires), I want something with some deeper tread depth--something I can only get by going with the LT versions of the tire.

(In the case of the Bridgestone AT tires, the LT tires have a deeper tread depth. Additionally, the LT version gets you 6 ply construction, the P (metric?) version gets you 4 ply construction. Also, with the aforementioned Bridestones, the LT in 245 width has the same treadwidth as a P series 255 tire {but total width is narrower}).

Anyway, all my rambling is just to say that 245/75R16 tires seem like a logical compromise of getting a tire better suited for the 4x4 truck, without changing too many of the original characteristics. I'll post a report on the tire change when I get it done--probably first week in August.

ebn

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98 F150 4x4 4.6 SC XLT--K&N, Superchip Flipchip, SnugTop XV Cap

 

I want to install 245/75/16 tires as well and am wondering if the increased tire diameter will affect the computer PROM chip and affect numerous sensors. Does the speedo use tranny gears or is it programmed through the computer. My dealer at first thought had no idea, never done it before.

 

Thanks for the reply ebn. Your thoughts are the same as mine. I am considering the Bridgestone Duelers or some Bridgestones All-Terrains.

I would be interested in reading the results of your tire change.

Thanks!

 

I don't know about the rest of you but the 235's smoke real good!

Henry

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99 F-150 XL 4x4. RC Flareside 4.6 5spd, 3.55LS. gibson 3" cat-back, K&N Gen ll.Westin step bars.Ventshade window deflectors and bug deflector and a cool white shifter ball. The SILVER BULLET. Rock and Roll...Baby!!!

 

Hey Henry,

Is that before or after I douse them with lighter fluid and toss a couple of matches?

With my auto transmission, the cap, and some gear in back, I'm hard pressed to get them smokin'!

ehren

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98 F150 4x4 4.6 Auto SC XLT--K&N, Superchip Flipchip, SnugTop XV Cap

 

Don't forget if you change your tire diameter you will also change your speedometer and gearing. A 1 1/2 inch tire diameter is quite a change too. For example if you have a 3.55 gear with a 28" tall tire, then going to a 29.5 diameter tire you will have the equivalent of a 3.37 gear.

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97 4.6 F150, 1/4 = 17.48 @ 82.2 mph, 88 5.0 Mustang 1/8 = 7.409 @ 93.72 mph

 

I recently (3 weeks) bought a set of LT 265X75X16's. They fit well and raise the truck about an inch and 1/2 (99 SC 4X4). I, too, hated the puny 235x70x16's. It made the truck look like a skate board. Since I have the 5 speed manual trans, I didn't have to worry aboout shift points getting screwed up by the computer. However, the speedo is off by 5-6 miles per hour...just have to be careful...Ford will recalibrate it fo $70 (the 99 does not need a speedo gear change, only a reporgramming of the chip).

One problem is more brake pressure required. the tires act like a flywheel to kep the truck rolling, so you have to press a bit harder. It did change the gear drive ratio which slightly degraded performance. On steep hills I sometimes lose speed, so I drop to 4th gear. Actually, it probably sounds worse than it is....

Overall, I love the effect that it gives the truck...sits higher, feels more solid, and look great...I would do it again in a heartbeat (opps, is that chevy???)

 

dr_dave...What rearend gears do you have? I would like to put the exact same tires on my truck since the P235's are so small. I have a 97 4.6L 5spd with 3.08 gears. Do you think I will lose a lot of power?

Thanks
TJ

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97 F150 XLT, S/C, styleside, shortbed, 4x4, 4.6L V8, 5-speed, 3.08. Catback Exaust.

 

TJ,
I too have the 3.08 gears, when I went up to my 255's, the low-end suffered just a little. The flip side is that the truck looks 100% better now! Doc

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1999 F-150
4.2L, 5-speed
reg. cab, short bed, Sport Grill,
Pioneer DEH-P4000 CD,
Tinted windows, "blacked-out" factory rims, 255's in place of 235's (tiny tires!)
more to come....

 

I put the 245/75's on my '97, and it does make it look better. I didn't suffer as bad as I thought I would with performance drop. Speedo's off hardly as much as I suspected, but I am NOT pleased with my choice of Wal-mart's selection... I cheaped out, and put them on. They spin & smoke like KRAZY, on dry & especially in wet, and weren't bad in snow when new, but I learned. I'll be changing to BFG's next time.

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'97 S/C XLS black/silver 157" WB, 4.6/auto, 3:08, home made custom tube grille, terminator muffler, phantom sweep wiper switch(factory installed), a few billet aluminum goodies (the list grows), airbox mods, TPS tuned
email: bazils@hotmail.com

 

I just put 265/75R16s on mine: check it out


1997 XLT V6 4x4 3.08 gears

[This message has been edited by 4byFord (edited 02-06-2000).]

 

Nice truck 4byFord.

I don't understand why they put such small tires on some of the 4x4's (in the 235). My 97 4x2 F150 that I had 2 years ago came with that, and they had to go pretty quick, mainly because Generals suck as we all know. I still have the old set of 235's and also the set that came on my 4x4 (265/17's). Guess I'll just keep those for a while.

By the way, BFG makes one of the best all-terrains around, there new KO tread design is awesome and tough, 3 side plywall.
I love the BFG's, and plan on gettin a new set of BFG 285's for my next set.

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Patrick aka Mudder Arlington Texas (D/FW), member of the "North Texas Chapter" Stone Cold edition F150 ®, Black 98 Styleside S/C F150 4x4 0RP 5.4 3.55ls, Ramsey Pro 8000 hidden winch, Grizzly roll bar, Superwhite Bulbs, 2 Baja lights, 8 165 watt KC Daylighters, 4 chrome, 4 black (I come alive at night), Manik grille guard, Westin step bars, Rhino Taillight guards (thanks Pony), Magnum bug shield, Sonic aluminum treadplate 36" tool box, Flowmaster 40 series dual exhaust, K/N air filter, 265/75/16 BFG AT/S, American Racing Baja wheels, Cobra CB radio with 3' whip antenna, Escort Laser/Radar detector, Nokia cell phone, a Mobil Speed Pass on the back window, a F150 Online sticker, and a Stone Cold sticker on the front windshield, and yes, I also have been infected with the infamous door crack. More to come for the Daylighting machine: shocks, Airaid, and a lift when it's all paid for. If you would like to see pics, email me at mudder46@hotmail.com or see pics at me and pony's website www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8 , and to hear the Flowmaster exhaust http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8/images/T005.wav
Mr.Daylighter "Go ahead, flash your brights at me, see what happens"
Also the Moderator of the Ford Trucks vs. GM trucks forum over on fordvschevy.com so check it out.



[This message has been edited by mudder (edited 02-06-2000).]