Help on tire size

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Dec 20, 2004 | 01:17 PM

Flooper

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Help on tire size

I bought a used 92 F150 Supercab, long bed to pull a small horse trailer.
(302 engine, 3.55s, AOD, 2WD). It pulls the trailer just fine. But, because the thing is so long, it looks goofy with the tires that are on it. They just look too dang small for that long of a truck. I think the tires are P235 75 R15s. Is there any tire I can put on that will look bigger, that I won't have to reprogram the speedo, or lose anything in my pulling. Sorrry...not the brightest when it comes to tires.

mike

Dec 20, 2004 | 01:20 PM

Frank Lang

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Might look goofy, but that's what Ford intended as tires for that truck. You can put on slightly larger tires--others will know better which ones are the best kind.
Frank.

Dec 20, 2004 | 01:28 PM

MustangGT221

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From: Topsfield, MA

Recalibrating the speedo is a necessity with changing tires for an accurate speedometer reading. You could move up to a 30/9.5/15 or a 31/10.5/15, the 31 would rub on the radius arm at full turn just a smidge, but it's not damaging. There is an article in the "tech articles" section of our website (link on the right) telling you how to recalibrate the speedo.

Dec 20, 2004 | 08:11 PM

jlarr

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From: Boise, ID

I have a '93 extended cab short box that I run 31x10.50R15s on & they don't rub. I have the stock Alcoa aluminum wheels. It definitely looks better & it actually corrected the speedometer inaccuracy I had with the P235/75R15s that came stock. I've run different brands of this size & none rub.

Dec 20, 2004 | 08:17 PM

Flooper

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Thanks guys. That helps a lot. If I go with the sizes you suggest, how will it affect performance when pulling the horse trailer? I assume it will reduce my actual gear ratio...right? A lot? A little? Would I notice? Thanks again.

mike

Dec 20, 2004 | 08:39 PM

MustangGT221

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From: Topsfield, MA

If you stick with either a 30 or 31" diameter, it won't be enough to bother you since you have 3.55 gears. With 32's I felt a noticeable difference, but it still was not enough to bother me I still had pleanty of power to tow my boat and snowmobile trailer. I used to have a 302 and 3.55 gears.

My buddy has a 96 F-150 with the 300 and has gone between 31" and the stock 235s (pretty much a 29" tire), didn't notice much of a difference. It's not really much of a jump in tire size so it's ok.

Dec 20, 2004 | 09:51 PM

MemOrex

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From: B/CS, Texas!!

I have 31/10.5/15 and they dont do any rubbing. And I agree, they look good with the stock rims; except that one of my rims lost the small red centerpiece....