I just bought a 98 F 150 4x4 running 265/75-16, and I am planning on replacing the tires. OEM on the vehicle is 235/70-16 with an optional 255/70-16. I like the bigger tire to fill up the wheel well but the guy from wal mart tells me that I should stay with the OEM size especially on the 150 because changing the size will cause all sorts of problems with the trans shifting and a bunch of other stuff. I am thinking splitting the difference and going with a 255/70-16. Anybody have any thoughts or suggestions. Thanks.

 

Does it shift OK with the 265/75-16's ? Is acceleration sluggish? Front tires rubbing on anything on hard turns? If not then 265/75-16's would probably be OK. Oversized tires can rob you of torque. If it originally came with 235/70-16's, the speedometer might be reading low, too. Randy

 

Acceleration is good, no rubbing, and not too concerned about the speedo. Once in a while there is a slight hesitation going into first from a standstill, everything else shifts smooth up and down.

 

Looks like going with 265/75-16's again would'nt be a problem. 255/70's would be ok as well. For off road use the taller tires would probably be better . Randy.

 

Put some BF Groodrich All-Terrains, Mud-Terrians, or Rugged Trails on it

 

I have a '97 with a 4.6 liter, I just replaced my 235/85's with 265/75's and I love it. Doesn't make sense but I actually seem to be getting better gas mileage and less downshifting when going up hills. I also got an alignment and replaced the left hub assembly when I got the tires so that might be part of it. However DO watch out the speedo reads a little off. I was going 65 in a 55 (I thought) but I got pulled over for going 70 and fortunately got off with a warning. BTW They are Bridgestone Dueler Revo's and I'm very happy with them. Unbelievable grip in the snow.

 

personally, i would go with 285/75's......I put them on my truck with the 5.4 and 3:55 rear and it seems to run better and get better gas milage not mention look alot better.....check out my gallery.....i also just acetoned my emblems

 

I have a 1997 4x4 with the 5.4L motor.i went from factory 255\70r16 to 255\85r16.....i have noticed a big difference in the shift points,towing,and take off....I cant tow as much ,or take off as fast ,but the bigger tires do great off road.(they are bfgoodrich mud terrians) if you are not doing any heavy towing i would stick with the 265's..... hope this helps ....if you want to see any pics of the truck go to www.cmudfly.com...;)

 

I run the bfg all-terrains in a 33 X 12.5, torsion bars cranked but im not sure how much. only minor rub at full crank on the lower valance corner.

 

I'm running 275/70 16's on my 150 with 3.55 gears and everything works fine. It depends on your ratio. If you've got a 3.08 gears, you might not want to go much bigger than 30" (255/70 16) If your gears are lower (3.55, 3.73 or 4.10) you can go taller. Find out what you've got, then check one of the sites that show what the tire size change will do to your RPM.

Here are some I use.

http://www.drivetrainwarehouse.com/Tirel_Gear_Ratio.asp
http://www..net/calulator.htm
http://amsoft.ru/tiresize/index.html?ws16=1
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

Hey Skippy45,Took a look at your pics, NICE? That's how trucks ought to look.

I was looking at 255/85/16's STL MudTerrains for my 04 Screw. Did you have to crank on the torsion bars to keep the tires from rubbing? And if you did, did it affect your offroad experience?

 

The only part that was doing any rubbing was the corner on the plastic part under the bumper,and only if the wheels were cranked all the way and you hit a big bump.I hope this helps...if you want to see more pictures go to
www.cmudfly.com

 

I just put on 285/75/16 (33"x11.5") Brisgestone Dueler AT Revos' on my truck. They rubbed a little on the plastic fender piece but was easy to trim. With my superchip microtuner I was able to reprogram the computer for the larger tires so the speedo is accurate and the shift points are stock but I can tell a difference in low end torque, especially when towing my boat. I priced 4.10 gears today for front and back axles. Looks like I'm going to get it done next week. Here is a pic whith the new tires:

 

I was looking at the Dueler Revo's, heard lots of good things. How do you like them.

 

CPerry i take it you have a 1999 or newer truck .I wish i could use one of those chips .When i talked to superchips they said it would not help the 1997 f-150.I like the way your truck looks .Next tires i get are going to be the 285\75R16...I have almost 50,000 miles on my BFG mudterrians.