275/65/18 - Pics and Feedback Please!!!

[CP0861]

I currently have 60K+ miles on stock Hankooks. 265/60/18.

For my next set, I think I'm going Eibach all around and would like a slightly larger tire. I'd like a firmer, smoother ride and to beef up the stance a bit. So I'm having the common 265/65 vs 275/65 debate.

I've read numerous threads...but still have some specific questions:

For those that have gone to 275, do you feel any handling benefit vs 265? Or is the difference not enough to really feel? This is kind of key for me....if there's no decent difference in feel, I don't think 275s make sense for me.

Also, will 275s rub when level? Would I be able to keep any rake with 275s? I don't want it completely level. I like my trucks look with a bit of rake - I have a cap also.

I drive a lot and want the best, smoothest ride I can get. I got the Ford Tune recently and now I'd like to tighten up the suspension a bit. My Ranger is a road and highway driver with a handful of OBX beach trips mixed in. So basically zero offroading.

Also, I'd love to see some 275/65 or 265/65 pics!

Thanks!

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[RangerPNW]

I have 275/70/r17 KO3's on my truck, and handling wise I can't tell the difference from my 265's. Its more a visual change, gaining a little height and width on the tires which i think looks good. I'm running 30mm spacers, and that required addressing the crash bars with high clearance options. Might have been fine w/out the spacers but it looks SOO much better with. The only negative to consider with bigger tires especially for a road first rig is the weight of the tires and the impact on fuel economy. These E-load KO3s are about 20 lbs a corner heavier than the SL duratracs i had previously.

Suspension wise, i'd say Eibach's or Bilsteins should be good for you. I'm actually looking to go Bilstein on mine as my Fox's aren't able to handle loads very well... turns out my canopy is too much for them.

 

[Av8or1]

I have 275/65R18 BFG Trail Terrains. I'm on a 2" OME Level and 1" wheel spacers. It's a less aggressive tire than I used to have since I have another vehicle for off-road. Something is rubbing at full lock in reverse, but it's pretty minor. Once I get a few thousand more miles in I'm sure it will wear down enough. The advantage to this size is that it's EXTREMELY common as an F150 tire size.

I switched from 265/65R18 Falken Wildpeaks AT3W. The Wildpeaks ended up cracking on me up in the heat dissipation area so I wasn't stoked about that. They didn't wear very well either. It was a great looking tire and it fit well, but wouldn't go that route again.

Back to your original question. There's no difference in handling. I think the 275 fills out the wheel well just a smidge nicer. But keep in mind you're talking about a Half Inch difference between the two tire sizes. Which is a quarter in difference in radius. Hell, however much you have it inflated probably has a bigger affect on tire size. I went this size just because of how common it is.

Don't forget to upgrade your spare, if you change tire size!

 

[Bsenecal]

I currently have 60K+ miles on stock Hankooks. 265/60/18.

For my next set, I think I'm going Eibach all around and would like a slightly larger tire. I'd like a firmer, smoother ride and to beef up the stance a bit. So I'm having the common 265/65 vs 275/65 debate.

I've read numerous threads...but still have some specific questions:

For those that have gone to 275, do you feel any handling benefit vs 265? Or is the difference not enough to really feel? This is kind of key for me....if there's no decent difference in feel, I don't think 275s make sense for me.

Also, will 275s rub when level? Would I be able to keep any rake with 275s? I don't want it completely level. I like my trucks look with a bit of rake - I have a cap also.

I drive a lot and want the best, smoothest ride I can get. I got the Ford Tune recently and now I'd like to tighten up the suspension a bit. My Ranger is a road and highway driver with a handful of OBX beach trips mixed in. So basically zero offroading.

Also, I'd love to see some 275/65 or 265/65 pics!

Thanks!

After reading from many others on this awesome forum, I went with the Eibach’s all around.
I went from the stock tires to 265/70/17.
Rides better, but like many have said mileage suffers.
Brian

 

[dozxab]

I went to the Eibachs on my FX4 and I can tell you that the ride and handling were both greatly improved. I went up 3/4" in the front. Recently went to 265/70R17 Continental Terrain Contact A/T and there was a small improvement for both. They are an inch taller and about 3/4" wider than the 265/65R17 Hankooks that came on it. 265/70R17 is generally considered the biggest tires that will fit without other mods.

 

[Grandaccess]

We need One end all be all thread on tires and be done with it LOL
285/75/17 Ridge Grappler, 3 1/2 Rough Country Lift, I still have my crash bars and rubs a little on the plastic rain flap under the bumper and not on the frame even at full lock
if I ever win the lotto I will buy a Raptor and do everything the same, I like the setup and it works good for me, there are so many guys here in different situations from Sunday walfart driver to work and abuse, Rain, Mud, Snow and Rock everyone is going to have something that just works for them
as I went up in size I did not notice Handling, power, speed or gas mileage I am off by 10% on the speedo, I have not hooked up Forscan yet to make the change I just know 59mph is really 65mph
I haul, tow and abuse about 40k a year, had it in the air twice this year, I have had 3/4 ton in the Bed and still get 17.5 MPG, have pulled much bigger trucks out of mud pits, you don't want the truck when I am done with it, my last two trucks were trailer-ed to the scrap yard ....

 

[dozxab]

We need One end all be all thread on tires and be done with it LOL

Like this? https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/tire-size-fitment-master-thread.1680/

 

[Doc]

After reading from many others on this awesome forum, I went with the Eibach’s all around.
I went from the stock tires to 265/70/17.
Rides better, but like many have said mileage suffers.
Brian

Nice Truck !

 

[Doc]

I went to the Eibachs on my FX4 and I can tell you that the ride and handling were both greatly improved. I went up 3/4" in the front. Recently went to 265/70R17 Continental Terrain Contact A/T and there was a small improvement for both. They are an inch taller and about 3/4" wider than the 265/65R17 Hankooks that came on it. 265/70R17 is generally considered the biggest tires that will fit without other mods.

Nice !

 

[dozxab]

Nice !

Thank you!

 

[CP0861]

I went to the Eibachs on my FX4 and I can tell you that the ride and handling were both greatly improved. I went up 3/4" in the front. Recently went to 265/70R17 Continental Terrain Contact A/T and there was a small improvement for both. They are an inch taller and about 3/4" wider than the 265/65R17 Hankooks that came on it. 265/70R17 is generally considered the biggest tires that will fit without other mods.

Looks great! Good to hear on the Eibachs....I think I'm leaning 265/65/18 and I'd like to raise it maybe 3/4" like you did.

 

[dozxab]

Looks great! Good to hear on the Eibachs....I think I'm leaning 265/65/18 and I'd like to raise it maybe 3/4" like you did.

This is a great article by enthusiasts on the differences. Bilstein vs Eibach vs Fox. I went with Eibach because I do some fire road travel and some of those are smoother than the potholes on paved roads. I run a 30 mile round trip ride on a twisty mountain road twice a week and find myself going 5 mph faster than I used to. I may be old but it is still fun.

https://www.shocksurplus.com/blogs/news/leveling-strut-comparison-bilstein-vs-eibach-vs-fox

 

[Bsenecal]

Nice Truck !

Thank you Doc!
Brian

 

[Beach]

I currently have 60K+ miles on stock Hankooks. 265/60/18.

For my next set, I think I'm going Eibach all around and would like a slightly larger tire. I'd like a firmer, smoother ride and to beef up the stance a bit. So I'm having the common 265/65 vs 275/65 debate.

I've read numerous threads...but still have some specific questions:

For those that have gone to 275, do you feel any handling benefit vs 265? Or is the difference not enough to really feel? This is kind of key for me....if there's no decent difference in feel, I don't think 275s make sense for me.

Also, will 275s rub when level? Would I be able to keep any rake with 275s? I don't want it completely level. I like my trucks look with a bit of rake - I have a cap also.

I drive a lot and want the best, smoothest ride I can get. I got the Ford Tune recently and now I'd like to tighten up the suspension a bit. My Ranger is a road and highway driver with a handful of OBX beach trips mixed in. So basically zero offroading.

Also, I'd love to see some 275/65 or 265/65 pics!

Thanks!

I don't have pics, but looking at a similar issue. I'm due for tires on '19 with the stock Hankook 265/60/18's. Not sure if you looked closely at the knuckle also. I did the Eibach pro kit and added 2.5" front level only, no rear lift. I do like the ride better, it was bouncy when I bought it at 35k miles. Still has a slight rake look due to the hood but pretty level, so that might work for you too.

I was hoping to go 275/65's on the same 18" wheels, it seems like there's lots of room and I think the extra rubber would look better and hopefully add more stability. But my concern is the stock wheel with all that -offset being so close to the knuckle. Looking at the tire size comparison tool it sure doesn't look like an additional .4" width and about 1.5" total height would rub anything, I just don't know if the knuckle comes into play?

For those with a level and going a little bigger on stock 18" rims, any thoughts on the knuckle and do those numbers (around .5" added total width and 1.5" total height) seem like it would be an issue with the 2.5" level? I was also considering 1" spacers if needed, just not sure if and where the issue might be going with bigger tires.

 

[Beach]

I have 275/65R18 BFG Trail Terrains. I'm on a 2" OME Level and 1" wheel spacers. It's a less aggressive tire than I used to have since I have another vehicle for off-road. Something is rubbing at full lock in reverse, but it's pretty minor. Once I get a few thousand more miles in I'm sure it will wear down enough. The advantage to this size is that it's EXTREMELY common as an F150 tire size.

I switched from 265/65R18 Falken Wildpeaks AT3W. The Wildpeaks ended up cracking on me up in the heat dissipation area so I wasn't stoked about that. They didn't wear very well either. It was a great looking tire and it fit well, but wouldn't go that route again.

Back to your original question. There's no difference in handling. I think the 275 fills out the wheel well just a smidge nicer. But keep in mind you're talking about a Half Inch difference between the two tire sizes. Which is a quarter in difference in radius. Hell, however much you have it inflated probably has a bigger affect on tire size. I went this size just because of how common it is.

Don't forget to upgrade your spare, if you change tire size!

Do you think the spacers could actually caused the rub?

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