trainwreck

Greetings to all. I'd like to put slightly taller tires on my stock 94 F150, 4WD (for better mileage and appearance). Currently, I have 235/70-15's on OE? steel rims (5 on 5.5). I'd like to replace all 4 with 16" steel rims and 235/70-16 tires.

I know it's only a 1-inch difference, but I'm not looking to put on "monster-mudders/lift-kits", as I see many of you are discussing in other posts on this forum-I did research before asking these questions:

1. How much would this improve mpg's?
2. Would I have to change gear-ratios for such a small change?
3. Would this affect handling or ride?

Additional info on truck's usage and my driving habits:
I drive my truck mostly city, some highway, NO "off-roading", about 10k miles/year. Rarely, I haul a full-load short distances/city driving. I am very easy on my truck and never abuse it (and I drive/service/repair my own tractor-trailer, too. So I ain't just braggin', I know how to drive my equipment easy).

Any thoughts, experiences, or general ball-bustin' would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

twilliams9

It wont improve mpg's and no will not need to change gear ratios, the overall diameter is not changing so your fine

Warlockk

[QUOTE="trainwreck"]Greetings to all. I'd like to put slightly taller tires on my stock 94 F150, 4WD (for better mileage and appearance). Currently, I have 235/70-15's on OE? steel rims (5 on 5.5). I'd like to replace all 4 with 16" steel rims and 235/70-16 tires.

I know it's only a 1-inch difference, but I'm not looking to put on "monster-mudders/lift-kits", as I see many of you are discussing in other posts on this forum-I did research before asking these questions:

1. How much would this improve mpg's?
2. Would I have to change gear-ratios for such a small change?
3. Would this affect handling or ride?

Additional info on truck's usage and my driving habits:
I drive my truck mostly city, some highway, NO "off-roading", about 10k miles/year. Rarely, I haul a full-load short distances/city driving. I am very easy on my truck and never abuse it (and I drive/service/repair my own tractor-trailer, too. So I ain't just braggin', I know how to drive my equipment easy).

Any thoughts, experiences, or general ball-bustin' would be greatly appreciated.
Thank

Actually if I remember tire math correctly the cross section and ratio are the same but the rim size is larger. Therefore the tire is 1" larger diameter but narrower tread. ( sidewall is 70% of 235 ) You probably won't notice any difference other than the look of the rim. Technically if you run a lighter than stock rim you have less unsprung weight and a narrower tire creates less rolling resistance. However Ford uses this trick on the focus to pick up 1 mpg on a fuel efficent car. I don't think you will see any difference. Also the added ride height ( 1/2 in) may provide enough added wind resistance to cancel out any mpg gain.
Short answer, change it if you like how it looks. Just don't expect any performance gains.

OldBlue_89

The diameter is changing by an inch, but there shouldn't be any reason to change gear ratios unless you want to. And there shouldn't be much difference in mileage.

mustangGT90210

The only thing that's going to happen is you get a bigger wheel, with a narrower tire

Fast Hampster

I have 24(3?)5/75-16 tires, no regearing. The difference is:
a) accelerates slower in 4th and 5th gears
b) looks better (IMHO, of course)
c) no mileage difference in the city, barely noticeable improvement on highway
d) speedometer readings now mostly match GPS speed readings

P.S. welcome to the forum!

trainwreck

Wow, you folks don't waste much time! Thanks for all the inputs. Very much appreciated! Now I just have to decide on style.

Any future advice is still appreciated...I'm not gonna do this tomorrow, and, I'll be checking back.