Super Duty Tire Question
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Super Duty Tire Question
My recently acquired SD F-250 CC with the V-10 came with some General Ameritrac tires in a 235-85-R16 E rated size. My intention when buying this truck was to put on some Michelin LTX MS tires that I have already. The Michelins are 245-75-R16 E rated tire with only 1,500 miles on them and I would be taking them off of my old truck and doing a swap.
What I have found is that the 235-85’s are a much taller tire than the 245-75 Michelins are, and now I am reconsidering. The dilemma being the Michelins are a great tire, paid for, and practically brand new. Costco, where I bought the Michelins, will not swap them because they are not the exact size as what the factory calls for in their book.
My question is this, with the 3.73 gears should I consider going to a smaller diameter tire for more leverage on the loads being towed? Or should I stick with the factory size, take a hit in the wallet and buy another set of LTX’s?
Scott
What I have found is that the 235-85’s are a much taller tire than the 245-75 Michelins are, and now I am reconsidering. The dilemma being the Michelins are a great tire, paid for, and practically brand new. Costco, where I bought the Michelins, will not swap them because they are not the exact size as what the factory calls for in their book.
My question is this, with the 3.73 gears should I consider going to a smaller diameter tire for more leverage on the loads being towed? Or should I stick with the factory size, take a hit in the wallet and buy another set of LTX’s?
Scott
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
I really am not looking for more power. It is just that these tires can last 60K miles or more so I just want to make an informed decision before buying.
It looks like a 265-75-16 has just about an identical diameter as the stock 235-85-16 does. Might go with that!
Scott
It looks like a 265-75-16 has just about an identical diameter as the stock 235-85-16 does. Might go with that!
Scott
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Originally Posted by Mustang42
I wouldn't go to a smaller tire, especially since you hae the PSD. You have more than enough power to turn the tire. And, the smaller tires would look funny IMHO.
he has the 6.8 not psd
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 535
Likes: 10
From: Evans, West Virginia
you can sell the tires you don't wantand you can get a pretty good dollar out of your old tires they both are e rated so go with either
I always like a bigger tire to fill the fenders better
I always like a bigger tire to fill the fenders better
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard CA
I don't really see much difference between a 235x85 and a 245x75. Measure the tires and see how close they are in height. If the difference is minimal, why buy other tires when you already have a decent set of michelins. The only difference I would consider is the maximum lbs. load rating on the tires. I went from a 235x85x16 E rated tire to a 265x75x16 E and the maximum lbs. went up about 400 lbs per tire. Since I carry a camper this is important to me.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Shreveport, La.
When visually comparing the tires, are you looking at one mounted on truck and the other un-mounted? You're going to see a lot of difference that way, need to compare under equal conditions. By the book, I don't think there's that much difference in those two sizes.
But- Whatever tire you use it needs to be the same height (mounted, inflated, etc) as original. Changing height (taller or shorter) will mess up speedo, odo, comp calibration, anti-lock brake, etc. While each can be 'fixed', you'd be cheaper the sell your extra tires and replace with org. height tire.
But- Whatever tire you use it needs to be the same height (mounted, inflated, etc) as original. Changing height (taller or shorter) will mess up speedo, odo, comp calibration, anti-lock brake, etc. While each can be 'fixed', you'd be cheaper the sell your extra tires and replace with org. height tire.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Thanks, I have decided to wait and save for a set of 265-75-16's for the truck, and yes, I was comparing only mounted demensions. The tires that are on the truck now measure 31-3/4" in diameter. According to the Michelin website the 265-75-R16 LTX MS are 31.8" in diameter, should be close enough, eh?
I realized about the speedo issue but not about the other stuff that KenB brought up, interesting! One of the great things about this site is all of the "stuff" you can learn here.
Scott
I realized about the speedo issue but not about the other stuff that KenB brought up, interesting! One of the great things about this site is all of the "stuff" you can learn here.
Scott
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Polkville, NC
Put the tires you have on it after all their paid for. If 31 3/4 is converted to a decimal its 31.75 so that is not even a diffrence to be considered from 31.8. Alot of people go to 285 75 16 when they change tires to fill up the wheel well because it looks better.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,967
Likes: 7
From: Eccles, WV
I went to the 305/70's to fill up the wheel well. The height difference is about 3/4 of an inch. They made a definate difference. The truck lost a little power, but Jody can take care of that. The truck now handles a lot tighter, the sway went away in a hard high speed turn. The bounciness in the front is now gone, guess to the increased weight. I have not figured out the speedo difference yet. It appears that the speedo is about 3 miles per hour slower.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ki-Adi-Mundi
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Oct 29, 2011 08:52 AM
aurgathor
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
5
Sep 20, 2004 08:14 PM
burley208
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
3
Jun 26, 2003 11:35 AM
