Tires and power loss question

[NormZ]

I've got a '92 XLT...4x4 5speed standard. I've got 235/75/15 tires on it now, and was considering going to 31x10.5 in the spring. I've heard from a couple of people lately that with the bigger tires I'll notice a large drop in acceleration.

Is it that big a difference? Am I better off just going with 30x9.5's and living with a little less size but not losing much power?

Opinions?

Thanks

NormZ

 

[Mike]

I have a 91 XLT with stock sussoension except for rancho shocks.I installed 265 75 16 wranglers on my stock rims.I love the extra height and ground clearance it gave me also I have no fitment problems.I did not notice much power loss but I don't drive mine really hard.I just reinstalled my 235's on steel wheels for winter and it feels like I had more power with the bigger tires so there is not much difference.I have 355 gears.Has anyone out there installed 31 10.5's BFG ko's with much problems on a 91 to 94.

Mike

 

[tiessen]

Simple math. The jump from 235's to 31's results in about a 5.5% jump in tire circumference. Can you live with this loss of power? Depends on gearing. If you have 3.55 or 3.73's then probably. If you run 3.27's or 3.08's then you'll really notice it.

 

[S.Matsushige]

Norm-I ran 30s for some time on my '91XLT and just recently went to 31s. I also have a 5spd with stock suspension and Rancho shocks on all corners. I'm running 3.73 gears. As for power loss, I don't notice much difference since I only jumped a tire size from what I had for a long while. Since I didn't change my speedo gear I seem to be off by about 5mph. I personally am not too concern with all out acceleration, but I'm happy with the way my Explorer performs.

 

[Mike]

This is a question for S.Matsashige,what kind of 31's did you put on your ride and do you have any fitment problems.

MIke 91XLT