MPG hit of bigger tires on OBX

[themendoza001]

I’m looking to upgrade my tires from the stock Duelers. To me they look a bit small. I was going to order the KO2s in 275/70r18, but I saw a huge increase in tire weight, something like 60lb vs 40lb. I wanted to get some opinions/answers on how bad the MPG hit is on the KO2s. After this, I looked at the Wildpeak AT3W in 265/70r18 in standard load, also wanted to see if anyone had opinions on those.

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[Black_Stallion13]

I replaced the stock wheels/Duellers with 33” Badlands wheels/KO2s. I went from 21ish combined to 19 combined. I now run 93 octane with the performance tune and I’m back to 21 combined (but paying more for gas obviously). The KO2s definitely ride rougher being heavier duty tires and the recommended psi on Bronco with those is 39 psi. They perform pretty poorly in the rain as well. I would deff get a passenger/standard load rated all terrain tire instead of KO2s unless you plan on actually off-roading in which case KO2s are a good compromise tire.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I get better Hwy mileage from the heavy ass 35's I put on vs the stock 30's.
I use a lower gear on the the highway to keep the RPM's in the 2400 2700 range.
The 2.3 likes to spin.
Not sure about the 2.7.

Several trips, hand calculated over several tanks of fuel ... just a smidge over 21mpg at 78mph and 2700rpm.

Around town ..... ouch.
Not the same story. Maybe 14/16mpg.

If you don't offroad, lighter will help in just about all drivability aspects.

I'd take a real hard look at Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT and Falken Rubitreks.

If winter/cold weather performance is not a concern, most of the tires will work for you just fine.
Some tires will have a stiffer compound, especially any LT type tire, and they will suck in the cold, ice or rain on a light vehicle like a Bronco.
Keep in mind, LT tires were made for heavy 1/2's, 3/4 and 1 ton trucks...heavy haul/tow vehicles.

 

[themendoza001]

I replaced the stock wheels/Duellers with 33” Badlands wheels/KO2s. I went from 21ish combined to 19 combined. I now run 93 octane with the performance tune and I’m back to 21 combined (but paying more for gas obviously). The KO2s definitely ride rougher being heavier duty tires and the recommended psi on Bronco with those is 39 psi. They perform pretty poorly in the rain as well. I would deff get a passenger/standard load rated all terrain tire instead of KO2s unless you plan on actually off-roading in which case KO2s are a good compromise tire.

Yeah standard load is what I’m leaning towards. The only ones that I see in 275/70r18 are the General Grabbers. Or I can get Wildpeaks at 265/70r18.

 

[Langwilliams]

I put sasquatch wheels/tires on my BB an it's not that noticeable. After 3 tanks my overall mileage went from 22.6ish to 21.4. I don't do much highway since I retired. I did a hour drive each way the other day on the highway on a tank with about 100 around town miles on when I left an by the time I was done I was at 23.8 but I was taking it easy around 65. My daughter have a sas package an she's just under 20 so I'm not gonna complain.

 

[JL8jeff]

I went from the stock Goodyear 315/70/17 on my base Sas to BFG KM3 35x12.5x17 which are heavier and I'm still averaging around 17.5 mpg and I do mostly local driving with short trips. I can get over 20 mpg on longer drives with the 35's, the 2.7 and auto and that was with 87 octane.

 

[Dan-O]

I have Toyo Open Country ATIII 275/65r18, same diameter but wider, no tire poke. Weigh 44lbs. Not a whole lot heavier. Speedo stays same, mpg didn’t seem to change. Not a whole lot larger than what comes stock but the more aggressive tread and sidewall with the additional width make it look better.

 

[Grey Pony]

I’m looking to upgrade my tires from the stock Duelers. To me they look a bit small. I was going to order the KO2s in 275/70r18, but I saw a huge increase in tire weight, something like 60lb vs 40lb. I wanted to get some opinions/answers on how bad the MPG hit is on the KO2s. After this, I looked at the Wildpeak AT3W in 265/65r18 in standard load, also wanted to see if anyone had opinions on those.

Great question. I've been wanting to go up in tire height also. The OBX looks so small with the 255/70r18's. I parked next to a BB with 285/65r18 BFG KO2's and they looked much bigger than the little red wagon tires I have. My concern is added stress to the stock suspension components and MPG with the 2.3.
Following this thread.

 

[Bellime]

Great question. I've been wanting to go up in tire height also. The OBX looks so small with the 255/70r18's. I parked next to a BB with 285/70r18 BFG KO2's and they looked much bigger than the little red wagon tires I have. My concern is added stress to the stock suspension components and MPG with the 2.3.
Following this thread.

Interesting, i had the original 255/70r18 and went to 17” rims….. I like the look and performance. 285/70r17 K03’s

Before

After

 

[lakesinai]

I’m looking to upgrade my tires from the stock Duelers. To me they look a bit small. I was going to order the KO2s in 275/70r18, but I saw a huge increase in tire weight, something like 60lb vs 40lb. I wanted to get some opinions/answers on how bad the MPG hit is on the KO2s. After this, I looked at the Wildpeak AT3W in 265/70r18 in standard load, also wanted to see if anyone had opinions on those.

Weight and rolling resistance will both lower your MPG, and weight will also add wear to suspension & drivetrain components which are lighter-duty than a SAS package would have been. And then there's tire tread noise! The OEM 18" tires really are pretty quiet with decent traction, as boring as they may look.

In my case, I up changed to Badlands Take-offs, 17x8 wheels with a an excellent road and beach tire, Nitto Nomad Grappler 285/70R17 tire about 8# heavier than stock. Great comfort & traction, low noise, about 2" wider and .7 inches taller. Looks great. Overall MPG went from 20mpg to 18mpg. Total 52,000 miles on car.

 

[mpeugeot]

Yeah standard load is what I’m leaning towards. The only ones that I see in 275/70r18 are the General Grabbers. Or I can get Wildpeaks at 265/70r18.

The General Grabbers are a very nice all around choice. I have been buying Black Diamond take-offs for dual use (highway and lite off-roading) they are not as good as the duellers for MPG, but better than my 33.5" Milestar Patagonia M/T's.

Stock

33.5" Milestar Patagonia M/T

Black Diamond take-offs (General Grabbers)

At $500 for 5, you can't find a better deal for a set of highway rims, tires, and TPMS sensors! I have 2 sets of OBX and 2 sets of Black Diamond rims/tires/TPMS. They pay for themselves (both sets of OBX are about worn out now).

 

[prospectfour]

Yeah standard load is what I’m leaning towards. The only ones that I see in 275/70r18 are the General Grabbers. Or I can get Wildpeaks at 265/70r18.

Correct, Grabbers are the only SL tire in 275/70 at the moment.

You could opt for 275/65 which is a very common SL size. Wider than stock but same height.

 

[Dan-O]

Great question. I've been wanting to go up in tire height also. The OBX looks so small with the 255/70r18's. I parked next to a BB with 285/65r18 BFG KO2's and they looked much bigger than the little red wagon tires I have. My concern is added stress to the stock suspension components and MPG with the 2.3.
Following this thread.

I feel it’s a very valid concern you have, when adding weight thru tire/wheels. I went down that road before with my first vehicle that I put much larger tires on. Ended up replacing many new parts due to that very reason.

 

[Silver-Bolt]

You can go to a lighter wheel to help compensate for the added tire weight.

 

[SeaVee]

I went to 295/70/17 on my OBX 2.7. Swapped some Badlands 17 inch takeoffs. Running KO2’s. 17-18 around town, 19-20 on long highway runs.

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