Wheel swap
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Wheel swap
Hey guys looking for advice/opinion on running a smaller wheel size. I currently have 20" -24 with 35" Fallen wild peak mounted on them (all previous owner added) Ive been jockeying the idea of selling these and going to a smaller or closer to factory size rim. Overall goal reduce the tire offset closer to stock, but more importantly gain some of the MPG's back (yes I know hot topic right now) I have always liked 18" wheels, but knowing the X came stock with the 16.5's maybe a 17"?? Ive been reading up on this and figured I'd ask for some input besides what tire/wheel shops have to offer. My main use would be daily driving and long road trips FL-Out west.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 164
It actually would have came stock with 16" , not 16.5 . The biggest thing is the diameter of the tire more so than the wheel. If you get an alloy wheel it will be lighter than stock also. Right now 17 and 18" tires are going to probably be the best bet as they are the most common right now and might actually be cheaper than going down to a 16 due to being more common. Also it might be helpful to know what drivetrain you have. If you like the overall size of the tires then a gear swap may be a better option and can net some mpg back.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Yes sorry I meant to put a "?" after the size. My drivetrain is 3.73 and I'm not ready to go that route yet I just feel dripping rim size would help for now. I just didn't know the pro's and con's of 17 or 18" wheels besides sidewall measurement for severe off-roading and letting air out.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 164
If you are talking purchase of wheels and tires a gear swap may actually be cheaper assuming a deal isn't found somewhere. If you are not really doing any offloading then wheel size is purely whatever you want it to be. There are no real pros or cons to a pavement pounder when you are talking 16, 17 wheels other than cost.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Let me backtrack a bit. I bought the rig with the tires and rims that the PO had just put on. My thought was to drop some rim size (not a fan of the 20's) and sell them to make some of the cost back for the new set. I know regearing would be the most appropriate mpg fix, but wanted to start with the wheels before going that route. I am overall very happy with how the truck performs right now just fine tuning to where I'd like it to be and then move into the more $$$$ mods.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
Matt, a few questions…….
How are you measuring your MPGs that you hope to improve?
Have you verified the Speedo/odometer reading via a GPS?
Which engine does your EX have?
What is your current setup’s MPG and under what conditions (city-highway-hilly terrain-flat FL highways) ?
How fast do you typically drive on any highway runs?
How are you measuring your MPGs that you hope to improve?
Have you verified the Speedo/odometer reading via a GPS?
Which engine does your EX have?
What is your current setup’s MPG and under what conditions (city-highway-hilly terrain-flat FL highways) ?
How fast do you typically drive on any highway runs?
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Matt, a few questions…….
How are you measuring your MPGs that you hope to improve?
Have you verified the Speedo/odometer reading via a GPS?
Which engine does your EX have?
What is your current setup’s MPG and under what conditions (city-highway-hilly terrain-flat FL highways) ?
How fast do you typically drive on any highway runs?
How are you measuring your MPGs that you hope to improve?
Have you verified the Speedo/odometer reading via a GPS?
Which engine does your EX have?
What is your current setup’s MPG and under what conditions (city-highway-hilly terrain-flat FL highways) ?
How fast do you typically drive on any highway runs?
Speedo is about 4-5 off (65 is 70)
7.3L with 303k
City mpg's 9-10 Hwy mpg's best 13 @ 65mph under 2k rpm's
I recently changed tuner's from the Edge evo to a PHP hydra and was informed by the company fuel economy would decline something along the lines of a decrease in injector pressure, but produced a much better running engine with smoother shifting. With that being said ever since I changed tuners my fuel economy has dropped almost 3-4mpg. For a quick example I was getting around 6-700 miles per fill up where now I am in the 450ish range. I have not done any suspension or engine modifications besides the Napa air intake DIY and replaced an injector, all 8 GP's and an ICP sensor. Please keep in mind I am content with how the rig performs I am just like the rest of us and always looking for that additional edge/fine tuning if it is feasible and realistic to do.
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
Your indicated 65 MPH being an actual 70 MPH shows an 8% deviation in the speedometer due to the taller tires and not having been corrected in the PCM, that same deviation would also be present in the odometer. So adding that same 8% to the miles driven would move your best 13 MPG up to an actual 14 MPG.
The factory tires were 31.6” tall, if your current 20”s are a true 35” tall that would be an 11% increase, moving the 13 MPG up to an actual 14.4 MPG. Still not what I would think a healthy 7.3 should be getting on the highway at 65 MPH, My V-10 with 4.88 gears and 35” tires gets 14.5 MPG at a steady 65 MPH on the highway.
Hopefully some of the PSD folks will jump in to offer some 7.3 specific advice.
The factory tires were 31.6” tall, if your current 20”s are a true 35” tall that would be an 11% increase, moving the 13 MPG up to an actual 14.4 MPG. Still not what I would think a healthy 7.3 should be getting on the highway at 65 MPH, My V-10 with 4.88 gears and 35” tires gets 14.5 MPG at a steady 65 MPH on the highway.
Hopefully some of the PSD folks will jump in to offer some 7.3 specific advice.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Your indicated 65 MPH being an actual 70 MPH shows an 8% deviation in the speedometer due to the taller tires and not having been corrected in the PCM, that same deviation would also be present in the odometer. So adding that same 8% to the miles driven would move your best 13 MPG up to an actual 14 MPG.
The factory tires were 31.6” tall, if your current 20”s are a true 35” tall that would be an 11% increase, moving the 13 MPG up to an actual 14.4 MPG. Still not what I would think a healthy 7.3 should be getting on the highway at 65 MPH, My V-10 with 4.88 gears and 35” tires gets 14.5 MPG at a steady 65 MPH on the highway.
Hopefully some of the PSD folks will jump in to offer some 7.3 specific advice.
The factory tires were 31.6” tall, if your current 20”s are a true 35” tall that would be an 11% increase, moving the 13 MPG up to an actual 14.4 MPG. Still not what I would think a healthy 7.3 should be getting on the highway at 65 MPH, My V-10 with 4.88 gears and 35” tires gets 14.5 MPG at a steady 65 MPH on the highway.
Hopefully some of the PSD folks will jump in to offer some 7.3 specific advice.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
This is what I was looking for. I know there's differences in rigs and modifications, but I fell like there's a lot of potential to be had. I know regearing is a great modification and will eventually happen, but for now I know going to a smaller diameter wheel will help increase and get me away from the 20" wheels that I just don't care for to begin with (just my preference). I know for sure I need to recalibrate the speedo and am currently waiting on a call back from the shop I use. I think I will be going the 17" route solid military style like the "Black Rhino" and the same tire I have now Fallen Wildpeak or Geolander style.
4wd Low
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 3
From: Central Texas
This is what I was looking for. I know there's differences in rigs and modifications, but I fell like there's a lot of potential to be had. I know regearing is a great modification and will eventually happen, but for now I know going to a smaller diameter wheel will help increase and get me away from the 20" wheels that I just don't care for to begin with (just my preference). I know for sure I need to recalibrate the speedo and am currently waiting on a call back from the shop I use. I think I will be going the 17" route solid military style like the "Black Rhino" and the same tire I have now Fallen Wildpeak or Geolander style.
Can you post some pics? I’m going to sell some wheels soon that have a -44 offset (PO just put them on) and go with either a -24 or a 0 offset. Your pics could help me decide.
And I don’t think the wheel diameter will affect your mpg. Tire diameter will for sure, but not the wheel.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,304
Likes: 28
From: Salem, VA
The further out the weight is placed the harder to get it going, the wheel isn't the same weight (inch for inch) so a lower profile tire VS. a fat tire in the same size will be different. By a lot.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 33
Likes: 1