I currently 285s but I will need new tires in a short while and I was looking at going down to a 265. My thoughts are:

1) Better MPG and Power
2) My suspension, wheel bearings, and power steering hate me for 285s
3) I drive 2k miles a month so I should probably get tires that like the road more and that my wheel bearings will thank me for.

So does the difference between a 285 and 265 make a big difference for all this?

Also, Cooper Discovery ATP. 55,000K warranty. pretty cheap. How big of a difference does an LT tire and a non-LT tire make? THe LT version is $40 / tire more. I only offroad 2-3 times / year.

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| 2005 Ranger Edge 4x4 4.0L Auto w/ Factory 4.10s and Limited Slip |

I think you are asking about going to a shorter tire, but 285 & 265 are not the tire height. On metric tires the first number is the width in mm, the second number is the aspect ratio. So a 265/75/16 is 265mm wide & 198.75mm from the wheel to tread face. (265 x 0.75= 198.75)

So a 265/75/16 is taller than a 265/75/15

Look at more than 265 vs 285

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'03 4x4 Edge 4.0 5 speed

okay. i have 285/75/16 and am going to 265/75/16. so its the same numbers except the first

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| 2005 Ranger Edge 4x4 4.0L Auto w/ Factory 4.10s and Limited Slip |

No they are not. 75 percent of 265 is less than 75 percent of 285.

The 265 is 198.75mm from rim to treadface. The 285 is 213.75 from rim to treadface.

The second number is a ratio. In this case 75 percent

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But to answer your question, yes going to a shorter tire will help front end components and fuel milage. And since you said you rarely go off road, then the larger tires are not needed.

As far as the "LT" rating on tires is concerned, that is actually a rating, not a marketing term like mt or at. LT are built heavier than "p" rated car tires to stand up to the stress and loads that they can see under a truck that you wouldn't expect under a car.

I would never run p tires on my truck, but I do know people who never pull or haul much that do on small trucks.

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'03 4x4 Edge 4.0 5 speed

i run p225/70/15... in part cause they are cheap, and also cause i never leave the street in the ranger.

now, a fullsize truck or a ranger that hauls & tows, they have no business with a passenger (p) tire lol

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
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I was referencing the fact that the numbers for tire size were the same, so yes they are the same numbers. I understand that its 75%. I knew that already, i figures I shouldnt have to put it since they were going to be the same aspect and rim size. Guess you needed to know that I knew that.

But, my main question is how MUCH of a help itll be. My front end seems to always have problems right now so i figure the 265s would help.

And I knew that about the LT, but i mean is LT really needed. I dont haul anything heavy at all. If i do, its maybe a light trailer with a lawn mower in it. Thats maybe every 6 months. I put stuff in my bed but only 100 lbs. Nothing heavy at all. So would LT be even neccesary? Does it help out off road since it is 8-ply (current tires). So sidewalls would be stronger, but does say a 4-ply have a chance of blowing out off road?

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| 2005 Ranger Edge 4x4 4.0L Auto w/ Factory 4.10s and Limited Slip |

If you're looking at 265s, take a look at the Bridgestone Dueller REVO2--they have a $70 rebate until the end of April, and if you order them from Discount Tire, you'll get an additional $30 instant rebate plus free shipping. These REVO2s are replacing my REVOs that I've been running for the past 5 years and close to 50K miles. Ideally, I would have gone with some 285s for a little extra height, but I didn't want or need the LTs--they're better for hauling or off road, but they ride like crap; if it's a daily driver, go with the P-metrics

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SOLD---'04 Ranger XLT SuperCab 4x4--4.0 SOHC-Auto--Loaded--Black w/Grey Leather Sport Buckets--Expo OHC--AHI Carbon Fiber-look Trim--Pioneer 290W Sound System--4.10 L/S--Cranked "1" Codes--1" Body Lift--265/75R16 REVO2s--16"x8" Mickey Thompson Classic Lock Wheels with Blue Trim Rings--Bassani Lightning-style CatBack--aFe Intake--Herculiner--Extang FullTilt Tonneau--Black Headlights & Corners--Billet Grille Insert in FX4 Grille Surround--Tinted '06 Tails
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I'm sorry, I meant no insult or to question your intelligence. When I started typing that reply I thought I saw a post asking if 265/75/16 & 285/75/16 were the same height. I don't know if it was edited or I just misunderstood, but that is what I was replying to.

As far as how much the shorter tires will help, that is very difficult to say, and it has been a long time since college geometry to figure the leverages and stresses involved. It really depends on driving style and how worn the front end components are now. I know folks that run huge tires and very rarely break anything, and folks that are always snapping parts on much smaller tires, just comes down to driving style & a little luck. But a smaller diameter tire does put a considerable amount less stress on the front end.

As far as LT vs P tires, the heavier sidewalls will make the tires more puncture resistant off road (or on) but also stiffen the ride (if that matters to you).

I know many people do run them, but I could never advise someone to run P tires on a truck. I just don't see why you would want to use a lower standard for such a critical part, or lower the capabilities of your truck.

However, please understand this is just my opinion, I'm not saying anyone else is wrong or you should do what I say. Just sharing my thoughts.

And just FYI, I run 33/10.50/16 E rated tires and regularly ask my Ranger to do things well beyond its design capabilities and spend quite a bit of time on & off the asphalt. A lot of folks say I'm nuts for running such a heavy tire on such a little truck, but I don't have to worry near as much about loads or potential hazards as I would with lighter tires. Plus, they wear extremely long for such an aggressive tread.

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'03 4x4 Edge 4.0 5 speed

That is true. I will probably go with a LT just in case and also for the little bit of off roading I do. BUt right now my 8-ply (load: D?) are less than 50% I'd say and I have only had them about 25,000 miles (1 year 3 months). And its pretty disheartning to have to shell out that cash for tires so often

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| 2005 Ranger Edge 4x4 4.0L Auto w/ Factory 4.10s and Limited Slip |