do bigger tires make your truck go faster?

[WicKeD_WaYz]

I know I wrote that title kind of wrong. But here is my question.

If you put bigger tires on a lifted truck will it make the truck go faster IN RELATION TO THE SPEEDOMETER?

Like if I have 33 inch tires on a lifted truck, and my speedometer says im going 45, my buddy told me im going somehwere around 50. And he said that it doesnt register your speed right cuz of the big tires. Is that right?

[.bolink]

Which way it makes it go I cant remember...but yes it does mess up your speedometer calibration. Even small changes in size of tires messe it up. All you have to do is look up a speedometer specialty place and go get it recalibrated (cheap).

[jpdgas]

bigger tires=slower speedo reading than actual car speed

smaller tires= faster speedo reading than actual car speed

this is caused by the longer distance a larger tire travels to make one revolution vs a small tire and so on

[Python14]

Yes, to remedy the situation, you can either get the speedo recalibrated or you can replace it. I've seen some people use the speedos from bicycles and attach it to the driveshaft. They are easy to adjust and have a digital readout.

[MiniMag84]

Larger tires can also damage your steering if it's not set up properly.

[impostal22]

the only advantage to big tires that i can see is if you plan on killing off a gang by running over their hideout, it'd be pretty easy...not that that has anything to do with you

but really unless you're made of money and/or plan on doing intense offroading, what's the point of lifting your truck and putting huge tires on it? other than looks...?

[a_malfunction]

because its cool.... why do guys who dont race put all that racing stuff on their cars? same thing.... its all about style sometimes.... personally, Im a go before show type guy... but thats me... different strokes for different folks ya know!

[Timmee]

Putting bigger tires on your truck will also screw up odometer readings (since they're tied to the speedometer).

[SlartyBartFast]

Tire changes can also really kill your transmission and engine. It may be wise to change the final drive ratio.

[-=Squid=-]

Im gonna put rollerblade wheels on my car and pretend like im going 400 mph.

[joez]

Tire changes can also really kill your transmission and engine

my truck has had tires that are 6" larger than stock for about 115,000 miles, and i have no drivetrain wear. i am even on the same clutch. and it still has the factory high range gearing.

most domestic trucks spedometer readings can be changed easily. most either have a little interchangeable gear in the rear of the t-case, or they have a sensor in the rear axle housing(this is mostly just ford). if you have an imported truck (i.e. toyota, like mine) the only way to get it recalibrated is to change the R&P to match your tires.

or, you can be like me, and deal with it. i just drive 8mph under the speed limit everywhere i go.

[Hasty8]

One other important thing to consider. Bigger tires could lead to a larger contact patch. If your contact patch gets too big then you increase your likelyhood of hydroplaning. Not much of a concern in some of our more arid climes but here in NY it's baaaaaaad.

[Willystyle21]

Hydroplaning

Yeah a wider tire can do that, however due to the fact hat wider tires in general, well mudding tires at least have much more area between the tread than street tires the probability of hydroplaning drops because they can displace more water than street tires. BF MT-TA's are damn nice tires for the job. Plan on getting 33's on my truck.

[Python14]

Dude, just do the right thing and do this....

First, remove both your front and rear axles
Second, replace them with Rockwell 2.5 ton axles w/ pinion mounted disc brakes.
Third, get some Trailready 17x12 beadlocks with 5/8ths bolts(not the 3/8ths)
Forth, Get a good 7" or 8" frame lift
Fifth, Slap on some big 52" Michelin XMRs
Six, Go mudbogging

[joez]

First, remove both your front and rear axles
Second, replace them with Rockwell 2.5 ton axles w/ pinion mounted disc brakes.
Third, get some Trailready 17x12 beadlocks with 5/8ths bolts(not the 3/8ths)
Forth, Get a good 7" or 8" frame lift
Fifth, Slap on some big 52" Michelin XMRs
Six, Go mudbogging

yeah, and everybody has money for toploaders, right?

there are many forms of wheeling, maybee he just wants to hit some local trails, and doesnt want to trail his rig.

the BFG MT's do hydroplane, and it doesnt take to much. my old AT's were much better in wet weather, due to the fact that they were siped. now, if you take the time to sipe you own tires, or if you are lucky and have a groover, then you can make the MT's perform better than any AT.

(o, and python, they dont make XML's for a 17" rim, FYI)