3" body lift, tires, and gas mileage

[et_johnson61]

I have a stock(suspension) 96 ext. cab right now with 16x8 american racing wheels and am looking into a 3" body lift with some 265/75-16 bfgoodrich all terrain tires. My tires now are 245's and I was just wondering how much this would affect my gas mileage, because I am a poor college student. Will the 3" body lift look funny with only 265 tires? Does anyone have any pics of a similar setup? Thanks for any input.

[BC Rod and Custom]

YOu can fit up to a 285/75/16 on an OBS with no lift. It will rub slightly on the fender lip but that's nothing that a hammer can't take care of. I don't know why you would want to put a body lift on and put stock size tires on it. A lot of Z-71's came from the factory with 265/75/16's. I lost maybe 1 mpg when I went up to 285's but I think that's mainly due to the extra weight of the larger tire. On the highway my truck pulls harder and stronger than it did with the 265/75's. Putting a body lift on will only decrease your gas mileage b/c it makes your trucks aerodynamic profile larger.

[4x4GMC1500]

Personally I like the way small lifts look on trucks. Looks stock but tougher I dunno but I like it. I say go with the lift an 285s. I have 285s on mine and no lift an they dont rub.

[K5Chris]

i would just go ahead and get 33x12.50's with a 3" bodylift.

[Z71IN']

Originally posted by z-71rocks
On the highway my truck pulls harder and stronger than it did with the 265/75's.

I'm confused how going with larger tire size would make your truck pull harder and stronger since you are changing the effective gear ratio to a lower ratio. That should make it pull weaker not stronger. (I'm not trying to pick apart your post... I'm considering going from 265 to 285 so I'm curious).

[BC Rod and Custom]

It raises the final ratio because the tire turns more for each revolution of the axleshaft.

[Trckn4Life]

Originally posted by z-71rocks
It raises the final ratio because the tire turns more for each revolution of the axleshaft.

I'm with Z71IN' ...but maybe I'm missing something...I just don't get it...I thought it would effectively Lower your gear ratio from say 3.73 to 3.42 or 3.08 ..(just as an example). hum...

[99K1500]

I am getting about 14 mpg on standard pump gas.... 30 miles to work and 30 miles back everyday. I lost at least 1.5 mpg when I added the 2" body lift. ( I already had the 4" suspension and the 33 X12.50's.) Also I have 110K on the truck, I am sure that is to blame for some of my gas problems.

[Trckn4Life]

99K1500 what gears are you running? are those Eagle 184 rims on the Tahoe you have? looks good. Nice Truck and Hoe.

[Z71IN']

Originally posted by z-71rocks
It raises the final ratio because the tire turns more for each revolution of the axleshaft.

Sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up... I never figured out whether when you go numerically higher whether or not the proper terminology is gearing 'up' or 'down'... that is not what I was asking... my point was that you said your truck got more power when you went with bigger tires (pulled harder)... but in fact it should pull not as strong with bigger tires and stronger with smaller tires. If that makes sense!