Tire size vs performance
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Tire size vs performance
I am new to this forum & im looking for some advise. I currently have a 2019 f250 6.2l. I’ve added the ready lift leveling kit & upgraded my tires to 35x12.50 nitto ridge grapplers. I have considered upsizing to 37s. My question is if I do upsize would I be losing any performance.
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Welcome to FTE!
Yes, you will lose performance.
The larger heavier tire/wheel will require more power to turn, and more brake to stop. Once going, they will require more power to keep rolling. Also you are effectively increasing your frontal area with the lift and larger tires, so you will pay a wind resistance penalty as well.
And your overall "gear ratio" will change as the larger diameter tire will reduce the engine RPM at any given speed in any gear. This can sometimes--if you are really lucky--offset some of the other issues. Or it will add to them by requiring a larger throttle opening to maintain speed.
Lower RPM doesn't always mean less fuel burned.
Yes, you will lose performance.
The larger heavier tire/wheel will require more power to turn, and more brake to stop. Once going, they will require more power to keep rolling. Also you are effectively increasing your frontal area with the lift and larger tires, so you will pay a wind resistance penalty as well.
And your overall "gear ratio" will change as the larger diameter tire will reduce the engine RPM at any given speed in any gear. This can sometimes--if you are really lucky--offset some of the other issues. Or it will add to them by requiring a larger throttle opening to maintain speed.
Lower RPM doesn't always mean less fuel burned.
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Each time you add taller tires, you have to increase the axle gear ratio if you want to keep the performance up to its previous level.
But, as noted above, the extra weight of larger tires/wheels takes even more performance and fuel economy away.
You can compensate some for the performance loss by going with an even deeper axle ratio, but you will lose more fuel economy.
But, as noted above, the extra weight of larger tires/wheels takes even more performance and fuel economy away.
You can compensate some for the performance loss by going with an even deeper axle ratio, but you will lose more fuel economy.
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Thanks for the advice. I’m not worried about fuel economy. My biggest concern would be towing & long term effects. Im pretty sure I have the 3.73 gears “don’t quote me” & my truck turns the 35 with no issues. I spent the pass weekend at the beach pulling other people out of the sand and I was really impressed with my truck. I don’t want to lose that just to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
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I ordered my truck with 4.30's because I knew I'd be using it at low speeds for plowing/pulling AND because I knew I wanted to go with a slightly larger tire immediately.
Edit: Forgot to mention that the last truck I had was a 2019 F250 with a nearly identical drivetrain but had 3.73's. I did the math on this truck before I got it to make sure the tires I put on would have a final gear ratio close to the 3.73's. What I ended up with was about a 4.06 IIRC final gear ratio, and it feels just a tad snappier than the 3.73's. My butt dyno is not very good because I drive a lot of different vehicles, but it drives fine, and I'm looking forward to putting it to work. If you look search up some gear ratio calculators you'll find some that allow for tire circumference to help you get a good gauge on how the truck will drive once you're done with the project. Good luck!
Edit: Forgot to mention that the last truck I had was a 2019 F250 with a nearly identical drivetrain but had 3.73's. I did the math on this truck before I got it to make sure the tires I put on would have a final gear ratio close to the 3.73's. What I ended up with was about a 4.06 IIRC final gear ratio, and it feels just a tad snappier than the 3.73's. My butt dyno is not very good because I drive a lot of different vehicles, but it drives fine, and I'm looking forward to putting it to work. If you look search up some gear ratio calculators you'll find some that allow for tire circumference to help you get a good gauge on how the truck will drive once you're done with the project. Good luck!
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2020
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From: Northern Sierra Nevada
Performance, mpg, and complete use of all 10 gears are the reasons I went with 4.30's in our 7.3L gasser, 10R140 trans. When the 32.1" OEM AT tires wear out, I'm planning on outfitting with 35's effectively lowering the final drive in direct to around 4.10. From previous 4WD's we've owned, that's a nice neighborhood to be in with a truck camper.
We don't usually drive faster than 65 mph, mostly around 62 which still affords us the use of all the gears without locking out the top end.
This slight upgrade will cause a slight decrease in mpg but offer better clearance for off-road-ability, and more sidewall for deflating on sand. It will not require any tin snips to ravage the sheet aluminum to clear the tires. All in all, i think it's a good tradeoff with the least amount of unforeseen consequences.
jefe de nada
We don't usually drive faster than 65 mph, mostly around 62 which still affords us the use of all the gears without locking out the top end.
This slight upgrade will cause a slight decrease in mpg but offer better clearance for off-road-ability, and more sidewall for deflating on sand. It will not require any tin snips to ravage the sheet aluminum to clear the tires. All in all, i think it's a good tradeoff with the least amount of unforeseen consequences.
jefe de nada
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From: Chaz
35s are pushing it for a 6.2/3.73 gears. But they are close enough to stock 20s in height that I wouldn't feel uncomfortable as long as it isn’t a tow rig.
37s are significantly heavier than even 35s and would reduce your effective gear ratio enough that I would suggest you not use them.
Heavier and taller tires will definitely decrease performance. To answer your question…
37s are significantly heavier than even 35s and would reduce your effective gear ratio enough that I would suggest you not use them.
Heavier and taller tires will definitely decrease performance. To answer your question…
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