Hey everyone, I have a 2006 reg cab 2.3 auto with 4.10 gears. I need new tires but I can't decide what size. I want something bigger. I have literately looked at hundreds of threads the last month. Here's what I'm trying to decide between.
Most likely going with Cooper sst pro (if I ct the name right)
30x9.5r15 no lift, possible 1" coil spacer
31x10.5r15 either 1” or 2" coil spacer
32x11.5r15 with 4" wnp spindles and 2” shackle. Would install 4.56 gears

I've looked at numerous threads as I've said. Most pictures seem to be edge models, have poor lighting, or don't list the lift. Could you guys post pictures of said tire sizes and combos? Voice your opinions, help me decide what to get. I'm kind of leaning towards the 32s but better fuel economy of the narrower tires would be nice, not sure how different they would be though.

 

Have a look here: Ford Ranger / Bronco II Tire Fitment

4cylinder engine is all about MPG so smaller tires are better, IMO

 

Oh trust me, I saw that one already ha-ha. Well, I decided to just go ahead and get 32/11.50r15 Cooper Discoverer SST Pro mounted on 15x8 MB Wheels Razor with the machine faced with -19 offset. After rebates I'll be paying about $900 shipped mounted and balanced with road hazard warranty. Woot for black Friday from discount tire. Once I get the here I'll see if I want to do a small spring spacer or spindle and shackles.

 

I currently run 33x12.5x15 BFG's A/Ts on my 2000 2.5l.

I think you'd be happy with the 31x10.5x15s if you are just moving up sizes. It is a noticeable difference and it would be better (although, still not completely ideal, but definitely driveable) suited with your 4.10 gears.

Be prepared to see your mileage on the odometer increase faster due to the larger diameter of the tires.

 

Wouldn't it be opposite? Online calculators say speedometer at 65 would actually be 75

 

Not your speed, your mileage on your truck. It will undoubtedly go up faster with larger diameter tires, so just be prepared for that.

 

How does that work? It's all from the same system?

 

This is a thread I found from the ORIGINAL OWNER of my truck when it just had 31's on it and not the 33's and he talks about the noticeable affect it had on the odometer. I'd read it if I were you. My truck is a 2wd, four cylinder just a few generations newer than yours, so still very comparable.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...upsize-119145/


LOL, happy that I found that thread.

 

To add to this... I actually went up in size on my tires from the ones I used to have and my mileage did not go up on the ODO in the truck. It stayed almost the same. However, when using GPS on my phone I did see that my mileage is higher.. I think I am a 1.11 ratio speed with having larger tires.

So at the end of a tank of gas when my ODO on the truck reads 350miles, I am actually at almost 400 miles via GPS and my ultraguage once configured it. My speedo is off as well. When I am traveling 60mph on the dash, I am actually going almost 70 via GPS.

-Nigel

 

That's exactly what I'm saying. I don't see how it could make your odometer off other than showing less miles than what's actually on it due the the drive line turning slower with stock gears to go the desired speed. Which I guess that's what half the posts in that other thread are saying.

 

Threw my rears on so I could try them out. Powerwise the loss isn't all that noticeable. I can break them loose on gravel still at least lol and it gets up to speed relatively quick compared to stock. At 30mph my spedo reads about 25 and at 45 it reads about 38ish. Surprisingly the tires don't seem like they will be too noisy. Can't wait to get my lift so I can actually put the wheels on for real.

 

Wrong, actually it is just the opposite. larger tires will slow your miles and mileage down. I ran 31's in my 97 2wd for years with no issues. put just over 100k miles on it before I traded it in and I put the oversize tires on at about the 250 mile mark so I never had any issues with clutch or anything else. You will use 5th gear a lot less though.

 

Exactly what I was saying.

 

You should post pics when you get the tires. I'm also looking at mounting up some 32x11.5 stt pros. I'd like to see how they look on 15x8's since I'm also running that rim size on my current 31's.

 

I think Brian is saying that your truck will be traveling farther than the odometer will read which is correct. What he means by "faster" is that the truck will have more miles on it that the odometer reads. Since the tires are larger, they will require less revolutions to go the same distance as a smaller tire which makes the odometer think you have gone less of a distance than you have.

 

Bingo. Thank you. Maybe I should've clarified what I meant by faster.

 

Assuming 27" stock tire size and 4.10 rear ratio the 32" tires would change 4.10 ratio to 3.40 actual

switch to 4.56 ratio would put you up to 3.85 actual, which would get speedometer and odo back to close.

4.86 ratio would put you back at 4.10 actual, so speedo/odo would be exact

 

Just get a tuner and all of your odometer/speed issues will be resolved.

 

I have an 04 2wd xlt (not an edge). i have 30x9.5r15's

 

Alright, got the lift on and wheels. Apparently I need new lower ball joints, left outter tie rod and wheel bearings before the shop can do an alignment.. I didn't notice them being that wore but whatever. Just gotta find time to replace them.

This is the wheelsnparts 4" and 2" kit. I think the back needs an extra 2", blocks to come. Wheel bearings did not fit, the shaft was .002" too big. A little sandpaper with wd40 got them to fit.

 

^ Looks real clean. Real nice!

 

It does look pretty clean. Nice job

 

Looks good dude

 

Thanks guys. So my first tank I got roughly 18mpg which is about 3 to 4mpg worse, but winter fuel could be affecting that also.

I'm going to be adding 2" lift blocks to the rear to get rid of the slight lean soon. I have the parts, just need to get them on.

Also, it looks like they don't sell the Ford limited slip for a 7.5 and I'm not going to drop 600 in gears and a limited slip. I can get an 8.8 with limited slip for 200 and gears for 200. This way I'll be able to get 4.88 gears which according to a post up there would be equal to stock. Still need to do the math myself to verify. Will post more updates when I have more to share.

 

Sounds like a good plan, 8.8 is a lot better choice of rear end than a 7.5