Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

tire size question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 6, 2006 | 11:37 AM
  #1  
Fordman79's Avatar
Fordman79
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,942
Likes: 0
From: Rantoul, Illinois
Question tire size question

On my 79 right now I have 235/75/R15, I have found some 33'' tall tires with rims for cheap. I have stock gearing in the axles and i was wondering if moving to this size tire would help me with getting a little better mileage out of my truck. I know the difference in size will affect my speedometer ( it is already 10 mph off) it says I'm going faster than I actually am going. will the bigger tire help that too or make it worse? Would 31" work better?
 

Last edited by Fordman79; Mar 6, 2006 at 11:53 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2006 | 01:06 PM
  #2  
460's Avatar
460
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 0
From: In the Middle
I have found that going to a larger tire while keeping the same gears usually gets worse MPG. There is more rotating mass and you're engine will have to work harder to move the truck. It will help fix the speedo though.
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2006 | 02:03 PM
  #3  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Did you measure the height of the 235's ?
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2006 | 05:02 PM
  #4  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
235/75/R15 are about 29" tall, my old set was the same size.
If your gear ratio is off by 10 mph with stock tires, then you might have 4.10 gears already installed, and then 33" tires would help your gas mileage on the highway alot, while bringing down the RPMs.
Is your truck 2wd or 4wd?
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2006 | 06:03 PM
  #5  
busted knuckle's Avatar
busted knuckle
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: lancaster ohio
higway yes better mpg. i have 35s on mine with 3.55 for now will go to 4.56 this summer. dont expect good mileage from her in town.
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2006 | 07:20 PM
  #6  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
He did say his speedo is off by about 10 mph, so that usually happens when you go with a higher(numatically gear ratio) and stay with stock tires. So he might be running 29" tires w/4.10 gears and the 33" tires would help increase gas milage.
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2006 | 09:53 PM
  #7  
petes79f150's Avatar
petes79f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 0
From: Kiefer, Northeastern Okla
How can you figure gas mileage? If the speedo is off, so is the odometer.
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2006 | 10:49 PM
  #8  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Yep, the odometer would be off too. My truck shows a extra mile for about every 10 miles I go, so the gas mileage will be alittle off too.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Mar 7, 2006 | 12:00 AM
  #9  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Larger/taller tires revolve slower than smaller/shorter tires.

This will will show on the speedo as going slower then you really are and register
less mileage than you have actually gone.
 
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2006 | 12:05 AM
  #10  
Bdox's Avatar
Bdox
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Club FTE Silver Member

There is a selection of speedo drive gears to choose from to correct the speedo reading.
 
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2006 | 11:34 AM
  #11  
Fordman79's Avatar
Fordman79
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,942
Likes: 0
From: Rantoul, Illinois
It won't hurt the odometer because it quite working a couple of years ago. I had to replace the rear end gear set back in 2001 and if i remember correctly the ratio is 3.55 I drive about 40 miles round trip to work 4 days a week and about 30-35 on the weekend. I use a little less than a 1/4 tank per day. Oh and it is 4x4.
 

Last edited by Fordman79; Mar 7, 2006 at 11:36 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2006 | 05:19 PM
  #12  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
If it has 3.55 then 33s won't hurt anything to much, but you won't have as good accleration off the start and you'll get a little less gas mileage in town.
33s would look good and fill in the wheel wells nice on a 1/2 ton 4x4.
 
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2006 | 06:40 PM
  #13  
Jmudder79's Avatar
Jmudder79
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 694
Likes: 1
From: New Gretna, New Jersey
Originally Posted by Bdox
There is a selection of speedo drive gears to choose from to correct the speedo reading.
Who sells them? I've been thinking about fixing mine, but don't know where to look for 'em.
 
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2006 | 06:51 PM
  #14  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Go to broncegraveyard.com, they have a little calculation to figure out what exactally which one you need too.
 
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2006 | 06:53 PM
  #15  
Jmudder79's Avatar
Jmudder79
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 694
Likes: 1
From: New Gretna, New Jersey
Thanks MBBFord. That was quick.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:49 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE