I recently thought that the 17" ORP Chrome wheels and tires 265/70/17 (Approx. weight per wheel & tire 100 lbs.) would look good on my 99 XLT SC Flairside. Didn't realize that I would sacrifice my Triton V8 to what feels now like a 4 cylinder. Anyhow, I need some help I took it to the dealer and they tried putting in some numbers in the computer to try and make the PCM think it was the stock set-up 255/70/16 (Approx. weight per wheel & tire 50 lbs.) After $80, it made little to no difference. Don't know if I need a chip or gears or both. My shift points are off and I have lost power. HELP!!!

 

A superchip would help out quite a bit. Talk to Mike from superchips on the message boards for some help with that. Whenever you go to bigger tires you will lose preformance. Gears would be great too, however they are more expensive than the superchip.

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1997 F-150 Lariat
Ext Cab Short Box
4x4 Off Road Package
3.55 Gears
265/75 R16 Uniroyal Laredo M/Ts

My 2 cents worth

If you're gonna stroke it, POWERSTROKE IT!!!

 

Dirtracker:
Gears. No way around it. A side benefit of changing your gears is that it will get your speedometer back on track.
Roberto

 

I have 255s, going to 295/75/16 on 16x8 wheels, I can not afford to loose alot of power. I pull a 4500 lbs boat ALOT. What size is your motor? gears? Tow package? I can not afford to regear a $30,000 2001 NEW truck. I'm going to check into chips, and programmers. 2001 4x4 supercrew 5.4 3.55 gear with tow package .

 

Once you slap larger diameter tires on the truck (you added over an inch) you change the effective gear ratio. You can make up for it by adding torque to the motor but it takes a lot. You probably want to run at least 3.55 or 3.73 gears to compensate.

Chuck

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2001 Gen I Screw Lariat

 

Dirtracker .... very important data....

- Is your truck a 4x4?
- Which V8 do you have, 4.6 or 5.4?
- Which Tranny?
(should be 4R70W??? w/4.6 and E4OD w/5.4, unless you're '99 or newer, then 4R100something (basically E4OD w/ powertakeoff) with the 5.4.)
- What is you gear ratio, 3.55?

Basically, what is your setup?

I have an F-250 LD 4x4, 5.4 V8 w/E4OD, tow pkg-3.73gears, 245/70R16 tires. I will go to 265/70R16 soon. I'm told I will not notice much change.

You must have a 4.6 V8, no tow-therefore gears are less than 3.55? Going to 17" would cause a big power loss.

Frank

 

Get a 5.4 He, He.

 

oh my. How can you tell a difference with 1" diameter in tire change? You really cannot. At least not enough to complain about it.

What gears do you have in the truck stock? If you have the 3.31s they are a dog to start with. Step up to the 3.55s at least, but if you are changing get 3.73s or 4.10s.


Basically an aftermarket exhaust would cure your feeling of lost power. You really made very little difference.

 

My problem is my truck came stock with 255s! Why are they so small compared to other 16s and 17s. Now I want to go to a 295/75/16 (33.50) or the 305/70/16 (32.85) on 16x8 rims. That a HUGE jump, will that HURT my pulling power alittle or ALOT! Or will I get closer to what other stock tires are like 16in 275s or off road 17s? Need HELP! 2001, supercrew, 4x4, 5.4, towing pakage, loaded Gen III XLT. 3.55 limited slip.

 

Dirtracker NEED MORE INFO ON YOUR TRUCK!!! WHAT IS IT!!!!!!

 

My 97 came stock with the 235 size tires, 29.1" tall. It now has 285s on it. Same 3.55 gears and it still pulls our boat fine. Granted it is a light boat at 2000lbs and I have the 5 sp.

If you have the auto you are going to be hurting. If you are going larger than 285s, get 4.10 gears.

 

Yep, it's a mazda built 5-speed.

 

Actually you are better off with the automatic....as the mazda 5 spd is very week...check out the towing difference..I have no problems with my set up and I still tow what ever I want....But to make it easier 4.56s are on my to do list next year.....Dave

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1998 F-150, SC/Flairside,oxford white 4x2,4.6,auto,3.55s,nerf bars,cls 111 towing,bed liner w/mat,Eagle polished wheels 16x10 w/Yokahama Geolandars 315/75/16s,all plastics guards/bug shields,air raid/k & n filter, superchipped, duals out the back corners, flow master 3 chamber, snug top lid, f-150 online sticker back window-honk if you see me!!! Fabtech 3 1/2 lift,3" spindles, 3" body lift=9 1/2 inches of lift, lift lips.coverking dash cover, Lumi Logo's (front and rear), clear front corner lenses, muth mirrors,dash mounted CB, (TX Chapter requirement,lol),personalized license plates, Superlift traction bars,Image tail light covers (painted).and it still fits in the garage, yeahhhhhh

San Antonio
DWESSELS89@AOL.COM

 

Mazda 5 sp? This is a F150, not a ranger. The rangers have a weak mazda 5sp in them, especially behind a modified 4L.

I know mazda is co-developing the M5R4 manual for the 2003 trucks. Hopefully they dont screw it up like the rangers.

Maybe someone will get the idea of sticking one of the new 6sp manuals from the SD Diesels in a F150 and trying to improve fuel economy and power with the 6sp.

[This message has been edited by Matt90GT (edited 12-24-2000).]

 

I have 5.4, 3.55 limited slip, tow package, 4x4, AUTO trans, supercrew. REALLY want 295/75/16 or 305/70/16, on 16x8 rims. What tire size in 16in would be equal to the factory 17in off road set up????? How much does it cost to change 4x4 gears??