Couple of Q's: 16's or 17's
#1
10-29-2003, 08:16 PM
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Couple of Q's: 16's or 17's
Just picked up an 03 Screw XLT 4x4 with 3.55's in the rear. The tires are crap and the wheels are fugly. Currently they are 255/70/16
Questions:
Am I better off with 16 or 17 inch rims?
Which will perform better with regards to handling and performance with the 3.55's?
In your opinion which size combo looks the best?
Lastly, any wheel recommendations? I have been surfing and they are all starting to look the same. I like the cast alum look better than the chrome.
Thanks in Advance,
Ed
Questions:
Am I better off with 16 or 17 inch rims?
Which will perform better with regards to handling and performance with the 3.55's?
In your opinion which size combo looks the best?
Lastly, any wheel recommendations? I have been surfing and they are all starting to look the same. I like the cast alum look better than the chrome.
Thanks in Advance,
Ed
#2
10-29-2003, 08:38 PM
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If you want the best performance stick with 255/70/16s. I had that with my 4.6L with 3.55 gears and it was ok, since then I've gotten bigger tires and haven't had the $1200 to regear and it sucks. I wish I'd stayed with the stock tires. As far as wheel size you'll wanna stick with 16s since there is a wider selection and the tires will be cheaper.
#3
10-29-2003, 09:01 PM
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The reason your friend lost the umph in his truck was by increasing rim size, therefore raising the gear ratio. My guess is that it came with 3.55 rearend gears and now with bigger rims/tire combo the gear ratio has also increase to 3.32's or something in that neighborhood. He propbably gets great highway milage though now.
#4
10-30-2003, 09:04 AM
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The reason your "wheels are fugly" is because they are "P" type 255/70R16. Soft sidewalls, and they bounce all over when you have a load.
With a 4x4 you would be much happier with a "LT" type tire. Firmer sidewalls, more responsive handling. With 3.55 gears you can easily handle LT265/75R16 tires on your stock 16x7" rims. Plus that size matches the stock diameter of the "off road package" 265/70R17 tires. And, the dealer can still reprogram the computer to cal the speedometer and shifting.
IF you want to buy new wheel/rims too, the tire selection is much greater with 16x8" than 17".
With a 4x4 you would be much happier with a "LT" type tire. Firmer sidewalls, more responsive handling. With 3.55 gears you can easily handle LT265/75R16 tires on your stock 16x7" rims. Plus that size matches the stock diameter of the "off road package" 265/70R17 tires. And, the dealer can still reprogram the computer to cal the speedometer and shifting.
IF you want to buy new wheel/rims too, the tire selection is much greater with 16x8" than 17".