Gas Mileage with 3/2 lift

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rock3ralex

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Hey guys, I'm running the stock 265 tires on my '03 expy 220K miles. I'm getting 16 around town and 18 highway. I'm wanting to do a 3/2 leveling kit and then put 285/70R17 Nitto Terra Grapler tires on. How much would the mpg drop.
 

tonydiv

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When you go to a larger tire without changing the rear end gear ratio, it puts an additional load on the motor. It's as if you were always towing something. As long as it's not a drastic change in size, you may not notice it at all.

There are many tire and wheel calculators available on the web. They will tell you the difference in size (%) and how it will change your rpms on the highway.
 
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rock3ralex

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When you go to a larger tire without changing the rear end gear ratio, it puts an additional load on the motor. It's as if you were always towing something. As long as it's not a drastic change in size, you may not notice it at all.

There are many tire and wheel calculators available on the web. They will tell you the difference in size (%) and how it will change your rpms on the highway.

The tires will on by 1.1" bigger or 3.5% I'm not sure if I'm understanding the rpms with this calc. 265/70-R17 vs 285/70-R17 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator
 

Spooky

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I have an '04 with the 3/2 lift and stock tires (so far), I have not noticed a change in MPG with the lift and I doubt you'll see much difference with that small an increase in tire size....DO EET!!!
 

FordandPolaris

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I agree. I put 33's on the truck about a year ago (mine is not lifted however) and I did not notice any meaningful drops in mpg's.
 

tonydiv

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I should have mentioned that you're much less likely to notice the difference if you have 3.73 gears.
 

tallsville

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i didn't notice a drop in mpg with the lift but did notice a slight decrease when i changed tires. I went from a 255/70/17(f150 rims and tires put on by ex wife) to a 285/70/17 AT. The last time i did a full tank tests. i was 13 city and 17 hwy(4x4). with a tuner on gas x saver. i was about 14 city and 17-18 hwy(before new tires). depending on where i was going and if there were hills or not.
 
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rock3ralex

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Thanks a bunch guys! I'm going to do it! I need new tires pretty badly right now, less than 4/32" on tread slightly more than 2/32"
 

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