Buckfifty

Well since gas is getting more and more expensive, I've been trying to think of ways to save money. Right now I've got some 33's on the truck with a leveling kit front and rear(2.5" in front ant 1.5" in the rear) and the mods listed below. I've get about 16-17 mpg doing about 75% hwy and 25% city. I'm trying to decide if it would be worth it to go back to a smaller tire that is closer to the stock size and take the leveling kit off. Not only to get better mpg but to regain some lost power. I got the tires almost immediately when I bought the truck so I dont remember what mpg it got before I added the tires and leveling kit. Any opinions?

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

You obviously wanted the lift and tires or you wouldn't have put them on. Do you really want to downgrade? Your mileage couldn't possibly increase that much removing them. I would look into other ways to increase mileage first, and as for lost power, look into gearing.

wxmcpo

You're probably not going to do much better by switching back to a smaller tire so IMO it wouldn't be worth it. As Sean said you could look into regearing to regain some lost power, possibly moving up to 4.10's, but that may not be very cost effective.

Buckfifty

Yeah I'm thinking that the mileage increase would probably be very slight, plus I just can't seem to ever drive a stock vehicle. Its only got 3.55's in it right now so I know theres room for improvement. I know when I had my lifted Ranger a gear swap was around $600 installed. Is it about the same for an F-150?

transmaster

I posted this site in an earlier thread but it has some real interesting mathematical formulas that have a bearing on this thread, Here are is list of that you might find useful. As in all such things these formulas will only give rough estimate but it will give you some idea of what you can expect with things done to your truck

Aerodynamic and Rolling Horsepower Calculation

Miles-Per-Gallon Estimation calculations

best Differential Gear Computation

http://www.bgsoflex.com/auto.html

al73mustang

I will trade you my Michelin's 265/65r17 i think thats what they are a bit over stock for you 33's

justperk

lol..yea after youve been smoking them like that i dont know if its a good idea

al73mustang

One time isn't going to finish a tires life, it was just for a pic opportunity

Buckfifty

Well I decided to keep what I have, I love my truck the way it is and I just don't think I could sacrifice that for 1-2mpg. If I were to swap out my 3.55 gears to some 4.10s would my mileage get worse? That would make the rpms higher while on the hwy right?

brickwoodward

you must like the truck!! if you can find a good condition sporster, the truck gas will be there for the fun!!!
the cycle can be your work vehicle?? this is what i do, then i can go have fun in the truck!!

bill