larger tire size?
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Junior User
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larger tire size?
To start with I have a 92 f150 300 i6, Mazda 5 speed, 2.73 gears,2 wd all stock. I am currently running 235 75R15 tires. What are the pros and cons of jumping up tire sizes? I prefer the looks of a truck with larger tires. Also what is the largest tire size that will fit a stock 4x2, with out putting a lift on the truck.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
With 2.73 gears, I wouldn't go any bigger than the stock size. Those are very high gears. Going to a larger tire size will make the effective gear ratio even higher (lower numerically) and work the engine harder on hills and when starting from a stop.
That is also an unusually high ratio for a '92 truck. Stock gearing was usually 3.08 or 3.55, with 3.31 or something like that also used but not alot. Are you sure you have 2.73's? 2.73 also doesn't sound like a standard ratio number for an 8.8" or Dana 44 axle. You probably have the 8.8". I'm not quite sure the 8.8 was even available with a ratio that high. Did you mean to say 3.73? What is the axle code on your door sticker?
That is also an unusually high ratio for a '92 truck. Stock gearing was usually 3.08 or 3.55, with 3.31 or something like that also used but not alot. Are you sure you have 2.73's? 2.73 also doesn't sound like a standard ratio number for an 8.8" or Dana 44 axle. You probably have the 8.8". I'm not quite sure the 8.8 was even available with a ratio that high. Did you mean to say 3.73? What is the axle code on your door sticker?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
2.73 actually was available for the 8.8" axle for some years.
If you're going to put larger tires on it, you will definately need lower gears. In fact, if it were my truck, I'd put lower gears in it anyway.
What's it like going down the highway in 5th? Is it above idle?
If you're going to put larger tires on it, you will definately need lower gears. In fact, if it were my truck, I'd put lower gears in it anyway.
What's it like going down the highway in 5th? Is it above idle?
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From: Back where I started...
Well it could theoretically give you better mileage, seeing as a larger diameter will give you more distance for each revolution, providing you don't go so big as seriously increase the weight of the tire/wheel combination. You'll definetly want to lower your gears, and I don't know how big you can go without rubbing. My 31's rub just a little on a hard left turn, and that's with 2" lift coils.
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Originally Posted by ewellman
To start with I have a 92 f150 300 i6, Mazda 5 speed, 2.73 gears,2 wd all stock. I am currently running 235 75R15 tires. What are the pros and cons of jumping up tire sizes? I prefer the looks of a truck with larger tires. Also what is the largest tire size that will fit a stock 4x2, with out putting a lift on the truck.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Dallas, Texas
I put larger than stock tires on my '92F150 with 3.08 gears and M5OD. The gas mileage sucked. When I went back to the 235/75R/15's the mileage went up noticeably. Stick with stock. Ford put that size tire on for a reason.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
It does seem backwards, but you can actually get worse gas mileage with larger tires. You will be running less rpms on the road, but it takes more force to get the bigger, heavier tires moving. You will also have to give it more gas to get the truck moving the way you're used to.
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Posting Guru
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I have 31x10.50 Yokahoma All-Terrain tires on my 95 F150. They look cool because they have a really aggressive tread pattern, and they make the truck sit up high like a 4wd. They don't rub at all, but they are quite noisy, and the gas mileage is a little worse.