Going down tire size for power gain?

I have a 97 2.7 4x4 tacoma. It came with originally 225/75/15 or something like that. When i bought it it had aftermarket wheels and tires 31x10.5 15. It has the 3.58 gears. To me it seems like they are a strain on the truck, and I was wanting to get something smaller but not quite stock so something maybe like a 30 or 29 inch tire and smaller in width. I searching around looking at sizes and calculators and most everything is for getting bigger tires. So my question to ya'll is do you think that going from the 31's to something a little smaller would help return some power and make a diffrence? I have talked to some people and they've told me it has made a big diffrence in some of there trucks. When I'm out and have to put it in 4 wheel drive it really bogs my truck down. 4 lo is great. Thanks for in help or comments and expericence!

 

I had 30x9.50x15 on my 96 toy with no problems.

 

Yeah I've seen them on a truck and they look nice do you think going from 31's to 30x9.5 would be help out in the power area. Anybody made that change with the 3.58 gears? What tires do you have on your truck? Sorry for all the questions, but another think it covers the truck in mud if I spin the least little bit. That's one reason for wanting to go to a smaller width. I don't know with the wheels I got what i can fit on them.

 

btt

 

when i 1st bought my taco, it had 265/75/15's with factory alloy wheel on it, which was still the factory tires. i put 31/10.50's on shortly after i bought it. a few thousand miles later i was needing tires again. found some 235/75/15's, had them put on, made my truck look goofy, but i did notice more power. now i have 245/75'16's on it with steel wheels. going from the 235/75/15 tires with alloy wheels, to 245/75/16 tires with steel wheels i noticed a change in power. if u have steel wheels & would like to get more power, then u might want to get a set of alloys & maybe some smaller tires.

 

Thanks for your help. I have alloy wheels american racing I believe. I was talking to a fellow last night about 235/75/15's and I'm like you I don't want my truck to look goofy, wife is also keeping me from getting much smaller tires! I'll have to check out them 265/75/15's.

 

Mine has the same gearing as yours only it's a 2.4. It's got the little goofy factory wheels and they look dumb but it'll sure spin 'em. I'm waiting to wear these out to get new wheels, tires, and hopefully a lift (if it passes dad approval )

 

I recommend michelin at2 thats what i have. Mine are 265 70 16 which is stock on 01-04. They roll easy with light steering. Michelin's new ad campaign talks about better mpg.

 

i was running a 3 inch toytec lift with 33 x 10.50 bfg ta km2 with a 2.7L 4 cylinder and it sucked and that lead to me selling the truck and buying my 06

 

that is weird...i had an '88 4 cyl 4x4 which i think was a 2.2L engine (22re) which has less power than yours and i ran 31X10.50s on it for 10 years and never had any problems...always had plenty of power to me and i got around 20mpg average...also running 31s on my 2.7L 4x4...it is the same diameter as the stock tire just wider...doesn't affect the power that much at all to me...a 4cyl just isn't gonna have a ton of power no matter what

 

your gearing might have been lower, making up for the power difference.

Smaller tires will allow your truck to accelerate quicker because essentially they gear the truck down (in the sense the 1st is down from 2nd). They also save weight, and if they're thinner they drag on the road less. Larger tires may cause a truck to bog because they essentially gear the truck up (in the sense that 3rd is up from 2nd). They may make for a higher top speed. but then again the added weight might negate that.

 

Thank ya'll very much. I looking forward to getting some new tires. I'll look at the micheliens

 

What about 4.10 or 4.56 gears? My 2.7 MT came with the 4.10, and am looking into bumping up to 4.56 or 4.88. I understand your desire to "little tire" your truck, but the gearing may help the unwanted wheelspin as well. Just thoughts...

 

I would love to put even bigger tires on it, but I don't want to spend alot of money to change the gearing. Good idea though. maybe down the road when I have a a "real Job" haha.