I have a 97 f150 xl 4.2 5 speed 4x4 with the off road package 3.55 gears. I've looked around here a little bit not gotten the answer i need. I'm deciding between a 245/75/16 tire or a 265/75/16. They'll be on the stock steel wheels. Will either affect my fuel mileage or power noticeably? And i don't think either will rub or hit my fender wells if i bottom out correct? Thanks.

 

I'm running 285/70/17's on my stock 99 and have no rubbing issues. Had 265/75/16's before that. Seems i get much worse in town mpg with the 285's but they bumped up my hwy mpg. Big tires eat gas. Just feed the beast lol

My 97 4.6 had 265's and it did alright. I dont know how theyd do with a six pushing them around.

Both trucks have 3.55 gears. Both supercab short beds. Both 4x4's. Both automatics. Only difference is the 99 has a 5.4.

If they come close to rubbing just crank up the t-bars a little.

 

You won't rub until you go wider than 295 on a 4wd. Can't say what either will do to power with a V6, I noticed just a little loss with the 265's on my 5.4L, I had 235's/3.55 stock IIRC my effective ratio was around 3.30 with the 265's.

 

i run 265/75/16 on my 98 4.6 with 247K on it. i have seen milage directly affected. i used to run 285 but wasnt happy with the constant downshifting. im pretty sure your 6 could pull the 265, i think they look proportionate out of the options. Remember when firguring out your milage that your speedo isnt going to log the extra miles. with 265 at 35 in doing 35 at 60 im doing 62. after 300 miles on a tank i usually added 10-20 miles to my total depending on what kind of driving i did. as far as power, i think youll be fine, youll just shift it differently, id suspect youd be a touch slower, but overrev it a touch similar to my 4.6 downshifting. if i remember correctly at 60 i was turning 2000rpm with 285. 1800 with 265, which keeps it in 4th gear when not accelerating

 

315/75/16's fit well with 3"spacers up front. Minimal rubbing. Otherwise stock. <br/>