My '01 Sport 4.7 4wd Club Cab had sat for quite a while before I bought it back in October 2014. I've spent some thousands replacing exhaust, suspension, steering, fuel tank & lines, cooling etc. and am really enjoying the truck, if not the $$$s.

The next thing I need to replace are tires. The tread is acceptable but the tire sizes are not. The door sticker is 235/75/15 though it has 235/75/16s front and 245/75/16s rear, mounted on the optional 8x16 alloy wheels. My understanding is those rims had, or could have, 265/70/16s and I've been looking for a good buy on that size (used on Craigs List, ebay etc.) until I recover some from my outlay so far.

I've seen a range of possibilities with varying brands, prices and remaining tread. I've searched here for tire preferences and happened to see it mentioned that someone realized they could have gotten 265/75 for around the same cost as 265/70. My question, finally, is are there any advantages/disadvantages to either size? I suspect not much, but it does open up a few more possibilities.

Thank you for any thoughts and for actually reading this far...

 

The only difference on these will probably be speedometer accuracy. Even within a given size, the OD of the actual tire can vary from one manufacturer to another. I've had 265X70X16 Goodyear Wrangler RT/S tires on my truck since new and they've been great. Different tire sizes than original "may" rub on suspension parts or else fender lips. I also have the same size front and rear. And given that you are looking for a "bridge" set until you get more liquid, I'd say get whatever looks to be the better idea for the moment, then after you've had the truck for a while and have a few more bucks in the kick, you can get something more suitable.

 

Thanks for your response Paul. If I wind up with the 265/75/16 I'll check when I go through those speed zone indicators. Now the speedometer seems accurate, as opposed to my Beetle which reads 5 mph more than my actual speed. I think that's because the Turbo S came with tires which are almost an inch less diameter than other models and VW maybe didn't adjust the speedo accordingly.

I'm hoping to get something very soon. BTW, I'm in the next county over from you...

 

What ever you do, DO NOT engage 4x4 with different size tires front to back. Your driveline will not like you.

 

Noted.

Got a set of used General Grabbers 265/70/16 mounted. I do hear a rubbing sound on hard right steering and will take a closer look later. Sure looks better and rides nicer too.

 

My FS D-AT's rub when new in that size. They self clearance once worn a little bit.

 

In the daylight, looks like the inside trailing edge of the tire is rubbing on the plastic wheel well liner. Probably the best of all the possibilities...

 

I have 265/75 R16 BF KOS's on a 2004 V8 4X4 Club they do rub a little on the plastic of the wheel wells on hard turns. I heard you can get that rubbing out by tighten the torsion bars a bit but I've never gotten around to it. I have about 55,000 mile on the tires so it's almost time to replace. I'm probably going to go with 265/70 Goodyear Duratrac's next go around since the BF cost around $250 a piece these days. But if you have the money the BF KO's are the great.