moving to a plus size tire?

DMoffroad · #1 (**permalink**) 12-29-2003, 04:52 PM

I have a neighbor that has a set of 5 brand new 265/75/16 tires that were takes off of his new vehicle.
as of now it has the stock Goodyear RT/S 255x70/16

Were in need of new tire for the wifes '99 2WD Expy.

a 255/70/16 equates to 30"x10"x16

a 265/75/16 equates to 32"x10.4"x16 which is QUITE a jump.

any reccomendations? Should I stick with stock size since it will equate to better mileage?

Thanks,
Doug

buzzard · #2 (**permalink**) 12-29-2003, 07:55 PM

Personally I'd put on the larger tires. I think Expy's stock tire configurations are sad...I've seen bigger tires on passenger cars. I've got 285/75/16's on my Expy and wouldn't consider any other size (mine is a 4x4).

If you think about it, you're only increasing the diameter by 6.67% which is not too big of a difference. Your gas mileage won't suffer much, if any at all.

Good Luck.

chixon · #3 (**permalink**) 12-29-2003, 08:56 PM

go for the bigger tire man....the gas milage isn't really gonna change enough to worry about it, and besides bigger meats is way cooler

PaulC · #4 (**permalink**) 12-30-2003, 11:47 AM

Don't forget that the Expy used a 265-70/17 as a factory option.

MrBSS · #5 (**permalink**) 12-30-2003, 04:01 PM

Bigger tires should actually give you better mileage because your tires will be seeing fewer revolutions per mile. However, your odometer will be indicating less speed and distance than actual, so you might not realize it.

WillieWildcat · #6 (**permalink**) 12-30-2003, 04:33 PM

The larger tires will weigh more, but they will pay dividends when needing to tow or plow through some serious snow. The P-Series tires that come standard on most light trucks are a travesty. I mean, it wouldn't cost Ford that much more to put a good set of tires on these things.

khmorse · #7 (**permalink**) 12-30-2003, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulC
Don't forget that the Expy used a 265-70/17 as a factory option.

Which is the same size as 265/75-16. I just did the exact same change from 255/70-16's to 265-75-16's. I did not notice any difference in performance. Now shortly after that, I did change my gears from 3.31's to 4.10's; because I wanted a better towing gear. And, that change made a huge difference. Get the 265's, 255's look too small.