I found different tires than spec. on my truck...

[Adam_LR]

I bought my truck almost a year ago, and I've been riding on the tires that the PO had on there. They are 245/75R16. I've finally decided to buy some new tires, and was shocked when I looked inside my door and found out that has spec'd 235/85R16 for my truck! Is there any reason why the PO had put on different tires than spec'd?

I'm going to go with the correct tire size for the new tires, but I was just curious about the philosophy behind using different tire sizes than what the manufacturer specifies.

Thanks!
Adam

[Eric]

Those 2 sizes are almost identical in height. 245 are generally cheaper than 235's.

[1badpsd]

as said above they are the same hight but what is on yours now is slightly wider

[Adam_LR]

Originally Posted by 1badpsd

as said above they are the same hight but what is on yours now is slightly wider

Thanks, but what does that mean, in terms of handling, performance, ride, etc?

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by Adam_LR

Thanks, but what does that mean, in terms of handling, performance, ride, etc?

Personally I would go a couple more sizes bigger. You will get a better softer ride with taller tires. Why is this because you will have more air between you and the road. That air acts like a cushion. So you won't feel the small little bumps.

[krazeehorse]

The 245's are actually shorter than the 235/85's. If the former owners were towing something heavy and needed a little more gear that's one way to get it. 265/75's are closer in height to the 235's only wider. My 99 originally had 265/75's but I switch to 235/85's in the winter to plow with and I run 285/75's (taller and wider) as soon as the snow is gone.

[dennis11]

Do you think that the 265/75's give you a better ride than the 235/85's?

[03f250stroke]

yeah the 265s will ride better. its a wider and smoother tire. really though it depends on what kind of tire your gonna buy. I had 35 inch pro comp mud tires now im back down to a 275/70 toyo tire. total night and day difference. ride quality...anything road nicer then my pro comp lift. I would say go a little wider/bigger on tire.

[DunesRunner08]

just lift the truck and put some michelin XML's under it......lmao

[Adam_LR]

Does a wider tire impact your fuel economy? I'm getting 20 mpg now and I don't want to get any less.