Wheels & Tires Semi-Tech General discussion of wheels and tires for the Ford Ranger.

Mileage differences between tire sizes?

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Old 09-28-2007
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Mileage differences between tire sizes?

My BFG's have 40,000 miles on them now, and are getting a bit close to the wear line. If they don't do good in the snow this year, I am going to look into getting some new tires. What I'd like to know is what kind of difference in mileage have you guys found when switching to tires 1" less, or 1" more in diameter. I'm thinking about taking off the 33's and putting on 32's if it'll save me some mileage.
 
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Old 09-28-2007
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the 32's will save you a little bit in milage, & wear and tear on the truck.....i would say you would get a 2-3mpg better with the 32's.....
 
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Old 09-28-2007
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Wow, I would like to get some more opinions on this. If I were to save 2-3mpg, that would put me at about 23mpg, I wouldn't miss the 1/2" height for that.
 
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Old 09-29-2007
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Your mileage will improve because you have less rotating mass. I would say if mileage is a concern, go 32's mang....
 
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Old 09-29-2007
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i say you get ~1mpg... 2-3 seems way to generous
 
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Old 09-29-2007
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because you have 33x10.5x15 32's shouldnt do that much of difference.

and just to rub it in winks last tank was 22.8mpg
 
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Old 09-29-2007
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if anything im getting better mpg with my 33's than my 31's
 
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Old 09-29-2007
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Originally Posted by gatorblue92
if anything im getting better mpg with my 33's than my 31's

so am i with 32's than i was with the stock tire
 
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Old 09-29-2007
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Originally Posted by Silver
so am i with 32's than i was with the stock tire
I'd have to agree with everyone on this I went from my stock 235/75 to a 30", only about 3/4" larger, and I'm seeing a little better mileage, about 1mpg.
 
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Old 09-29-2007
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i think it all depends on gearing and driving habits

i used to have 31s and 3.55 gears.. horrible mileage, did mostly city driving
now i have 33s with 4.10 gears and mostly highway driving.. and am consistently getting 19-20mpg..

winks it sounds like in your case you'd be like me and do more hwy driving.. in that case i think keeping the 33s (or geting another set of the same size) would be ur best bet

plus the 33x10.50s just look badass on your truck!
 
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Old 09-29-2007
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Thanks for the input guys, no offense, but I thought Maurice might have been a bit generous there.

Danno The Manno (who'd name their kid that, ) brings up a good point, it does look great with the 33's. However I'm doing less highway mileage these days, and more stop and go driving, so I'm thinking the 32's would be better in that sense because of less rotating weight.

And Zach, just to rub it in your face... um, my dog is better looking than yours!
 
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Old 09-29-2007
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Originally Posted by winks
Thanks for the input guys, no offense, but I thought Maurice might have been a bit generous there.
i was.....
 
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Old 09-30-2007
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the weight difference is probably what like 5lbs? ill look it up but i bet its less than that.

btw i put money on it you see no difference in mpg, at least significant enough that you can justify that the reason you are getting better mpg is because you went with 32s not 33s
 
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Old 09-30-2007
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Originally Posted by black-n-blue
i think it all depends on gearing and driving habits

i used to have 31s and 3.55 gears.. horrible mileage, did mostly city driving
now i have 33s with 4.10 gears and mostly highway driving.. and am consistently getting 19-20mpg..

winks it sounds like in your case you'd be like me and do more hwy driving.. in that case i think keeping the 33s (or geting another set of the same size) would be ur best bet

plus the 33x10.50s just look badass on your truck!
wow i also have 4.10 and 33s, mostly highway and i only get 16mpg....and all my friends say i drive like a grandpa.
 
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Old 09-30-2007
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Originally Posted by k.blakeley
wow i also have 4.10 and 33s, mostly highway and i only get 16mpg....and all my friends say i drive like a grandpa.
Do you have your truck tuned? I was getting roughly 17mpg before my tuner with my 33's, after the tuner I was/still am getting 20mpg.
 
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Old 09-30-2007
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Originally Posted by winks
Do you have your truck tuned? I was getting roughly 17mpg before my tuner with my 33's, after the tuner I was/still am getting 20mpg.
no what tuner are you talkin about...link
 
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Old 09-30-2007
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400 bucks is alot of $$$$ for 4mpg better
 
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Old 09-30-2007
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It is a bit of money but it is worth the cost. It brings back the power you lost going to the 33's. I was fortunate enough to get mine shipped and reprogrammed for my truck under $300 because somebody here was selling theirs.
 
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Old 10-01-2007
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Winks, I didn't realize that your 33's were 10.5. In that case, 32's wont help you, if you check out tirerack, they are actually the same weight. The 32's are wider so there would be MORE rolling resistance. I would say if you are that concerned with fuel economy, stock height and 31's are your best bet...
 
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Old 10-01-2007
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Originally Posted by greygooseranger
Winks, I didn't realize that your 33's were 10.5. In that case, 32's wont help you, if you check out tirerack, they are actually the same weight. The 32's are wider so there would be MORE rolling resistance. I would say if you are that concerned with fuel economy, stock height and 31's are your best bet...

that is why i said what i said, but i dont think he read it. btw i couldnt agree more, want better mpg lower it run stockers keep light on the pedal. btw dont run an BFG A/T get some Michelin's or something that is more of a road tire.
 
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Old 10-01-2007
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Actually Zach, I did read what you wrote and it made sense to me. I just didn't think a response was necessary.

Chris, I've adapted my driving habbits to save a bit of gas, I removed about 2/3 of the lead from my left foot, and if I remove any more, I might get run off the road. I'd like to take off the body lift and go with 31's. Believe it or not, my fiance won't let me do it, she won't like it. How many guys can say that? lol

Zach, why would the A/T's be worse than a road tire the same size? Is it because of the 3 ply on the sides adding weight to them?

The problems I have with running more of a road tire, are offroad ability issues. Every once in a while I like to run the truck down a trail -nothing like wharton, just dirt trails. But I want a tire that's going to be able to bite down into the ground if ever I get the bronco stuck close to home like I did last time. Are there any tires better for my application than my A/T's that would work, yet save me some gas?
 
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Old 10-01-2007
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Originally Posted by zabeard
that is why i said what i said, but i dont think he read it. btw i couldnt agree more, want better mpg lower it run stockers keep light on the pedal. btw dont run an BFG A/T get some Michelin's or something that is more of a road tire.

Absolutely, I have Michelin LTX M/S's and they are a low rolling resistance all season tire. My mileage actually went up slightly from the Toyos I had on there before of the same size...
 
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Old 10-01-2007
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Originally Posted by winks
Actually Zach, I did read what you wrote and it made sense to me. I just didn't think a response was necessary.

Chris, I've adapted my driving habbits to save a bit of gas, I removed about 2/3 of the lead from my left foot, and if I remove any more, I might get run off the road. I'd like to take off the body lift and go with 31's. Believe it or not, my fiance won't let me do it, she won't like it. How many guys can say that? lol

Zach, why would the A/T's be worse than a road tire the same size? Is it because of the 3 ply on the sides adding weight to them?

The problems I have with running more of a road tire, are offroad ability issues. Every once in a while I like to run the truck down a trail -nothing like wharton, just dirt trails. But I want a tire that's going to be able to bite down into the ground if ever I get the bronco stuck close to home like I did last time. Are there any tires better for my application than my A/T's that would work, yet save me some gas?
as for not replying i was just messin with ya.

i thought you didnt off road it much. but if you are then stick with teh A/Ts but if you get more of a road tire it will roll even better than the A/Ts its kinda like A/T vs M/T etc... the way the tread is and such. i think there may be a better tire out there for street use but idk about off the road. the BFG AT is a pretty proven tire. maybe a bridgestone? or michelin tire may work as well
 
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Old 10-01-2007
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I don't wheel it much... nothing like what I used to anyhow, I just like to drive down the local trails every once in a while. I think I'll look into the bridgestones and michelin tires to see what they have out there.

I don't even wheel the Bronco anymore, its become a pavement pounder... I haven't seen Wharton in ages. It's a bit of a disappointment.
 


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