I've got stock 235/70/R16's on my 99 150. I'm looking at going up to 265's but the guy at Discount Tire said I'd have to make a computer chip adjustment because my ABS wouldn't work right. Does this sound right to y'all? If so, is the a dealer-only mod or is this something I could foreseeably do in the garage?

Thanks,
Pete

 

I had a freind tell me that a tire shop told him the same thing on his 98 F150 2wd. I personally went from a 255/70 to a 285/70 and noticed a huge difference in performance and a somewhat dangerous decrease in my stopping power. I can definetly see where if you had 4wheel ABS and put on large tires it could affect the system. As personal expereince I have yet to have a problem yet in my 1200 miles with the bigger tires. I have had two panic stops and both times the ABS has worked. Anyone else have any better info?

 

anyone know if the hypertech programmer can adjust this? I'm thinking about getting one anyways..

T

 

I went from 255 75 16 to 305 70 16 and I too have seen braking differences, You get used to it and compensate by braking a little earlier. I had only 1 stand on the brakes incident, while the abs did not kick in- the truck did stop, and that is good enough for me. personally I hate the abs in all vehicles. Just my 2 cents.

 

So, it sounds like it may be a dealer mod only, then. I was told it's around $130 for the new chip & labor... I guess that's not too bad for better performance and a MUCH BETTER looking truck. Those 235's just look WIMPY!!!!!!

The main reason I want the bigger tires is it gets rather muddy and deeply rutted where we go hunting and I bottomed out more times than I could count last year. I'd hate to see what would bappen if I actually had 800+ pounds of elk in the back!!!

Anyway... I'd still like to hear if anyone knows how labor intensive it is to do the ABS chip mod.

Thanks,
Pete