Another tire size question :(

[amh181]

I'm buying new tires for my 88 44Runner, 3.slow....which is why I'm being picky about this...she's not the most powerful beast on the road... Anyway my question is what will be the least likely to kill what little power I have... I'm looking at a ko2 in size 275/70/17 load E or a 285/70/17 load C. The 275 is 32.2x11" and weighing 55 lbs. The 285 is 32.8x11.5" weighing 50 lbs... Which will hurt more the diameter or the weight of the tire? Yes I could go with a 265 in load C but I think that my 8.5" wide sr8's might look odd on a tire that narrow.

 

[fourwd1]

The taller the tire, the more it will put your engine outside it's optimal range.
So the 32.8" tall tire will rob you of more power than the 32.2" tall tire.

 

[fourwd1]

Also going to move this to the Classics section for you.

 

[v_man]

It's also helpful to know what the stock tire size was on the truck, found on the doorjamb usually. If you had stock 31's, then going up to 32's is not much of an increase...

 

[amh181]

The taller the tire, the more it will put your engine outside it's optimal range.
So the 32.8" tall tire will rob you of more power than the 32.2" tall tire.

I was going to post under classics but figured it's probably the same regardless of the make, model, or year. I guess I could have shortened the question to, what has the greatest effect on power loss? Tire weight or diameter? I'll take your word that it's the diameter, thanks.

 

[Dropzone]

I'll take your word that it's the diameter, thanks.

throw some numbers in here
Gear Ratio Calculator

 

[jsugamecock]

Unsprung weight also affects acceleration. I know this from my drag racing days. That was the reason to use light weight wheels and slicks are also lightweight.