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Aug 8, 2008 | 08:21 PM

cojab

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my next mods

First off, I'm damned glad I'm not dealing with Flea's problem. Makes me feel bad about posting something like this. Anyway, the next thing I'm looking at is doing a front suspension leveling kit and throwing just a little bit bigger tires on. I just want a little more heigth and possibly just a bit more width. (I would like a bit better clearence and traction in the snow.)
So if I'm not mistaken the slightly larger tires should give me a bit of a higher gear ratio and increase fuel mileage at cruising speeds. Does this sound right and what will it do for mileage at lower speeds and stop and go type traffic situations.
Thanks everyone and Flea, I hope your problem if solved soon.

Aug 8, 2008 | 08:28 PM

foxracing0934

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From: Billerica, MA

The mileage parts sounds about right to me, but i dont know about the stop and go situation. I would think that the increased friction and rotating mass would decrease mpg with stop and go. And in theory a wider tire is not better in the snow, with a skinny tire you are not sitting on as much snow there for you are able to bite through it and reach the pavement below. But im not one to talk because im doing the same thing as you. lol

Aug 8, 2008 | 08:56 PM

c00nhunterjoe

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Joined: May 2007

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From: Belair md

with a leveling kit on your 250 a 285/75/16 will work well without really filling up your wheel wells, i beleive a 305/70 16 will fit as well but thats a hair taller and wider then the first tire. both will give the truck a nice aggressive look and feel. i have 315/75/16's on my rig with no decrease in economy, i saw a slight increase.

Aug 9, 2008 | 08:15 AM

heathrunkles

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From: Mt. Airy MD

I went from the stock 235-85 to a 285-75. no lift or level. It does fill the wheel wells up nice-no rub. I do alot of city driving in and out of DC and I lost 1-1.5 mpg. Just takes more to turn a bigger piece of rubber from a stop I guess- plus is alot harder to smoke the tires with the bigger rubber-at least with 3.55's

Aug 9, 2008 | 11:04 AM

cojab

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Hey Fox, You are right about the wider tire not cutting through the snow as much. For the wider part, I guess I was just looking for something that would look a little better than stock while trying not to decrease mileage. If you look at our trucks from an end it just seems like the tires sit in quite a bit. As far as the heigth, I figure if I get the leveling kit and a slightly taller tire it will #1, Look a bit better and #2, raise up the front end to increase clearance in the front for snow. I guess theoretically that levelling the front will also very slightly change the weight transfer and give a bit more weight in the rear for a very small additional benefit. Those are the two things I really notice in the snow with these trucks is the front end clearence and the rear REALLY needs weight. I jsut cant go to high though because all my trailers I tow are either gooseneck or fifth wheel.

Aug 9, 2008 | 11:06 AM

cojab

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BTW Joe, that 285/75 was what I was thinking of going with.

Aug 9, 2008 | 11:07 AM

foxracing0934

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From: Billerica, MA

Ya i agree with you there, our trucks could really use some wider tires which is why im going to a 285/75. But i was just pointing it out to you incase you hadnt thought of it.