How much difference do tires make?
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Earth
How much difference do tires make?
How much difference do tires make?
Well, when you change from a 235/85/16 10 ply 116/120 load range E to a 265/70/16 112T rating tire it makes an unbelievable difference. I'd swapped on the 235s as a stop gap until they went onto an F250 then I'd pick up something else for the Bronco. They're tall, skinny, and stiff. The truck drove squirrelly and rode like a lumber wagon. I got rid of the F250 about a year ago, so it was time to spring for some new rubber.
The new skins are ~1.5" wider, ~1.5" shorter, and ~13 pounds lighter. The truck went from riding like a worn out old Jeep to...I dunno, riding like a Ford truck. Night and day. Not just ride but stability and steering feel. The 235 tires and wheels probably weighed double the factory ones. I guess that's part of the reason 1 ton trucks have heavier suspension.
I forgot how much tire weight affects braking, too. She whoas down a whole lot quicker now.
Anyway, the Bronco is a heck of a lot more fun (and safer) to drive now.
Well, when you change from a 235/85/16 10 ply 116/120 load range E to a 265/70/16 112T rating tire it makes an unbelievable difference. I'd swapped on the 235s as a stop gap until they went onto an F250 then I'd pick up something else for the Bronco. They're tall, skinny, and stiff. The truck drove squirrelly and rode like a lumber wagon. I got rid of the F250 about a year ago, so it was time to spring for some new rubber.
The new skins are ~1.5" wider, ~1.5" shorter, and ~13 pounds lighter. The truck went from riding like a worn out old Jeep to...I dunno, riding like a Ford truck. Night and day. Not just ride but stability and steering feel. The 235 tires and wheels probably weighed double the factory ones. I guess that's part of the reason 1 ton trucks have heavier suspension.
I forgot how much tire weight affects braking, too. She whoas down a whole lot quicker now.
Anyway, the Bronco is a heck of a lot more fun (and safer) to drive now.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,018
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From: Longview, TX
I have always had stock 235 highway tires. Going from Laredo to BFG...Tour made a huge improvement. I could not drive the oil field truck ruts in the highway asphalt previously with my trailer. Now it is easy.
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