What would be better for mpg?

slowmachine · Jul 14, 2013

You already have brand new wheels and tires that will provide the best fuel economy for your 90% on-road driving. If you have the storage space, consider buying a separate set of wheels and tires just for off-road travel. Off-road, you really want a tire that is well-suited to the terrain and your driving style. You can have both, and its easiest to get them with two sets of tires.

Mike

justPLANElane · Jul 14, 2013

Rackster said: ↑

A tough order to fill -

If the look of a lifted vehicle with stock rims and tires suit, that would be my best guess at a compromise of each (MPGs and aesthetics). Raising the vehicle will hurt your MPGs but less so with the stock rim and tires. Bumping ups the tire size; MPGs will suffer a bit. An aggressive off road tread; MPGs will suffer more. In the end, you might be best suited getting the look you want (lift, tires, and rims) and drive as fuel efficient as possible. Conservative driving techniques is generally the biggest contributor to improved FE. As others have stated, drive like you have an egg under the gas pedal, another under the brake pedal, and a stack of egg cartons in the bed of your truck.

Good luck!
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Yeah that's what it sounds like ...if I want an awesome looking truck I'll just have to lighten up my foot and open up my wallet I guess.

Raz4back said: ↑

Here's an example with XD Spy wheels and BFG ATs. (I don't think spies are available in a 16)

They are within .1" in diameter and a 265 width tire so the difference in diameter and rolling resistance is a wash.

17 inch spy 30 lbs
265/70/r17E bfg AT 53.3 lbs 31.8 circumference
For a total of 83.3 lbs

18 inch spy 37lbs
265/65/r18E 53.1 lbs 31.7 circumference
For a total of 90.1lbs

With this combo the 17s should give you slightly better mpg as you will be running 28 less pounds of unsprung weight.

Honestly your driving habits are going to make more of a difference than the wheel size you run. I'd stick with 17s, the setup is lighter, the tires will be 30-40 dollars (per tire) cheaper for the same size, and you will have more sidewall for the times you're off road.
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Wow! Thanks for the info, so they don't make a D or C side wall rating for the bfg at in that size?

85GT 79FJ40 said: ↑

It is possible to get nearly stock mileage with big tires if you change the gears. I did it a number of times 15-20 years ago with older 22re powered trucks. 33 or 35 inch tires and 22-24 MPG highway. Of course a set of gears and proper install costs quite a bit. On those trucks it was the only way to make them get out of their own way. But like has been said light wheel/tire combos are generally best and tread design has a lot to do with mileage too. I've seen an almost 2mpg difference just going from a Michelin ltx to a General Grabber AT2 on a second gen. Same wheels, same size tire, just more aggressive. And 60k out of a mud tire is a LOT to ask. Also if you're primarily city driving a mud tire is about the worst choice anyhow. I got about 80k out of a set of BFG A/T's once. Pre KO days though.
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So any idea on how much a re gear would be? If I did the re gear I should probably just go with the 285s then eh? To justify the re gear I guess?

Thanks for all the help everyone!

Mr. Biscuits · Jul 14, 2013

Rich91710 said: ↑

Rubber is heavier than alloy, and potentially steel.

Given the desire for a 32" overall diameter, a larger diameter wheel with a lower profile tire will be lighter, and highway handling will be better due to the reduction of sidewall flex.

However, offroad performance is compromised, as the narrower sidewall is more prone to pinch damage, and the ride is rougher.

Then there's the aesthetic issues... IMHO, 32" rubber on 18-20" wheels looks like shit (that's like a 285/65-18). I wouldn't go less than a 70 series comparable profile on a tire that is going to see any offroad use. Slimmer than that is fine for a street truck on street tread, but it's not going to be a 32" tire either.
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yeah, what Rich said

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What would be better for mpg?

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What would be better for mpg?

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