High Mileage and Bigger Tires

My truck is a daily driver first, weekend warrior second. If I drive 400 miles to Boston and back each week but want 33s and a lift, what should I consider, do, and expect in terms of gearing, mpg, wear, etc.

 

Do it but just expect to get 14 to 15 mpg on the up side. Just set your expectations going into it. Regear if you want but it's not cheap. Unless you are 2wd then its half the price.

 

What kind of 33s are you thinking? AT tire or something more pavement oriented?

 

Keep the tires on the thinner width and lighter side.
Keep your stock bumper / aerodynamics. Both for wind resistance/MPG and cab noise reasons.
Go with a balljoint upper control arm, not a uniball. Uniballs will wear out faster, and when they do, they introduce slop into the handling.
Re-gear optional, depending on how big you go on the tires.


I went from heavy 35x12.5" tires to 285/75R16 Duratracs (about a 33.4x11.5 tire). The truck handles so much better and gets a solid 2-3 MPG better on average. I'm on 4.88 gears in a 2nd gen truck.

 

Wildpeaks or duratracs

 

Isu800M-

2.5" suspension lift with 33's would be a good fit and certainly streetable. Then run a 285/75/16 as Mxpatriot mentioned.

As far as tire choice - Tires are a product of compromise, there will always be a pro and con.

 

If you have 265/70/16 (31” tall) go up to 265/75/16 (32” tall). You won’t need a lift, there will be no rubbing and 65 MPH on the speedometer will be 67 actual.

 

Buy an old econobox to commute, build the truck as you wish.

 

That’s actually pretty good advice. My son drives. $500 Buick Regal to work and uses his LS powered Chevy truck for recreation.

 

looking at 800 dollar Corollas right now!

 

This right here, my truck started costing me 500$ a month in fuel when I went up to 32’s. I bought a 2003 golf tdi for 1000$ and it’s costing me about 140$ a month in fuel, trucks no longer getting huge mileage put on it and the saving go into more mods.

 

The only down fall is now I have two vehicles to mod lol, I was a VW guy before I bought the truck so it’s hard not to want to tune to car. Little rigs all ready making 35psi but I don’t think the stock turbo’s gonna last at that pressure.

 

it's a hard decision. I am in the same boat, but really liking this 20-22 mpg. Do you know what suspension you are thinking?

 

Im leaning towards fox ATM. Definitely open to most anything though. There is a really good off-road store/mechanic near me that I will definitely consult before anything.

 

Seriously lol. I gave my Is300 to my brother when I bought the truck and want it back for the reason of commuting. Cant help but to think about modding it more though. But that might be my answer. Split up the driving with that once he gets a new car.