Drivetrain Tech General discussion of drivetrain for the Ford Ranger.

Question about gear ratios and bigger tires...

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Old 08-25-2009
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Question about gear ratios and bigger tires...

Hey guys I am lifting my 99 4wd and it has 245/75/16's stock and I will be going to either a 32x11.50x15 or a 33x12.50x15 I am just worried about my power loss and wanted to know with 4:10's now what gears should I have running 33's? And does that mean I need to change something in the front as well? Thanks a lot for any information!
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Dude....there's very minimal loss with 32x11.50's. I ran the same setup w/ 4.10s for a while. Saw my best mpg numbers with that setup too. Pretty much, 4.10 and 32 is about the perfect mix of mpg and performance. If you've got a 4.0 OHV, it takes ALOT more kindly to tire changes than the SOHC 4.0. You'll be fine with 33's and 4.10's. It's not worth the $800-1500 for a gear swap for what kind of change you'll see from the swap to 4.56's.
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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I'm trying to understand your post still.
You have 4.10 gears now?
If you have the 4.0L OHV I agree you'll be fine with 4.10's and 32s or 33s.
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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if you read his sig he has a 3.0
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Originally Posted by Downey
if you read his sig he has a 3.0
That's also a 2wd that his sig is referring to if I understand right.
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Originally Posted by Downey
if you read his sig he has a 3.0
if you read his sig you'll see it's also got a 4/5 drop and 17's....
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Originally Posted by brianjwilson
That's also a 2wd that his sig is referring to if I understand right.
Wrong again lol. Both his rangers have 3.0's.

Jason I am running 33's with a 3.0/4.10 combo and the power is fine. Should be better with your's being a stick.
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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^^Should be better, but you'll feel the tires alot more. Ask me how I know....
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Sorry guys the truck in my signature and avatar is my lowered 00. The one I am referring to is also a 3.0 stick but its a 4wd supercab. I am getting low 20's as far as gas mileage goes, best tank being 24.5mpg so I didn't want to lose all my gas mileage with some bigger tires. Thought having some larger gears might help.

Mike, thanks for the info, still debating 32's or 33's. Guess I will find out in time lol
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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You'll lose some mpg's...no doubt. But not much. If you plan on not lifting it, keep to 32's. No rub issues.
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Cool thanks Shane. The truck is getting a 4" superlift suspension lift kit. I had my old 04 EDGE lifted with the 3" spindles and 32's and it looked great so I am thinking I may do the same on this truck.

Can anyone tell me what a 245/75/16 = as far as inches? Would it be considered like a 30" or 31" tire?
 
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30.5

32's look goofy on just a 3" BL....really look goofy on a 4" SL. Go 33.
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Originally Posted by Fx4wannabe01
30.5

32's look goofy on just a 3" BL....really look goofy on a 4" SL. Go 33.
Thanks. And I really liked my 3" lifted EDGE on 32's lol to each his own I guess
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Theres my old truck
 
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holy crap...I didn't even realize you sold it!! LOL! I remember when you got it, just didn't know you got rid of it.
 
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damn man should of kept it that thing is sweet
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Originally Posted by Sonic04Edge
Wrong again lol. Both his rangers have 3.0's.

Jason I am running 33's with a 3.0/4.10 combo and the power is fine. Should be better with your's being a stick.
How was I wrong again? His sig refers to his 2wd truck with a 3.0, lmao.
Plus having a manual transmission in the ranger is almost worse due to the small clutch and taller first gear.

Anyway with the 3.0L in the 4x4 you would be better off with 32's if you are concerned about power and mileage.
Re-gearing is going to cost $1200 or so.
I'm assuming you have a 7.5 rear end also with the 3.0L? I would think about an axle swap if you plan to wheel it a lot.
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Originally Posted by Fx4wannabe01
holy crap...I didn't even realize you sold it!! LOL! I remember when you got it, just didn't know you got rid of it.
Yeah I miss it :(

Originally Posted by Downey
damn man should of kept it that thing is sweet
I know man I miss the hell out of it! :(


Originally Posted by brianjwilson
How was I wrong again? His sig refers to his 2wd truck with a 3.0, lmao.
Plus having a manual transmission in the ranger is almost worse due to the small clutch and taller first gear.

Anyway with the 3.0L in the 4x4 you would be better off with 32's if you are concerned about power and mileage.
Re-gearing is going to cost $1200 or so.
I'm assuming you have a 7.5 rear end also with the 3.0L? I would think about an axle swap if you plan to wheel it a lot.
No, its 4wd so I have an 8:8 rear end with 4:10s. And is there a better more high performance clutch I can put in it? Cause I am replacing the throw out bearing cause it is rattling/grinding like hell and am doing the clutch also since the truck has 230K on it so if there is a better performance clutch I can get someone let me know!
 
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Originally Posted by brianjwilson
How was I wrong again? His sig refers to his 2wd truck with a 3.0, lmao.
Plus having a manual transmission in the ranger is almost worse due to the small clutch and taller first gear.

Anyway with the 3.0L in the 4x4 you would be better off with 32's if you are concerned about power and mileage.
Re-gearing is going to cost $1200 or so.
I'm assuming you have a 7.5 rear end also with the 3.0L? I would think about an axle swap if you plan to wheel it a lot.
lol sorry Brian. My tired eyes played tricks on me. I read it wrong.
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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When I replaced my clutch I just used a Luk clutch, basically same as stock.
I have heard good things about centerforce dual friction clutches but have never tried one myself.
 
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Old 08-25-2009
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Originally Posted by brianjwilson
When I replaced my clutch I just used a Luk clutch, basically same as stock.
I have heard good things about centerforce dual friction clutches but have never tried one myself.
Hmm may have to check into one of those. They supposed to be stronger or something? Wish I knew someone running one
 
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cough SPEC STAGE II cough cough...
 
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Old 08-26-2009
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Haha yeah I see it in your sig now Shane. How do you like yours and where did you get it? Does the pedal stiffen with it or still feel like stock?
 
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Old 08-26-2009
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feels like stock. I think I notice a slight increase in pedal pressure on mine when I drive another manual ranger. What's different is when it starts to engage, it's a shorter distance on the pedal til it grabs, and when it grabs, it grabs. The half engage/half disengage is alot shorter and faster than stock. After break-in, it's neck snapping shifts if you want it to be.


LOOOOOOOOOOVE mine. It's one grabby som bit(h! Slips when I need it to, that's something that from what I've read the Centerforce doesn't like that. I've got almost 50k on it and just it it out a few weeks back for the engine swap...still got tons of friction material left in it.

I got it from a local shop I found through Spec's website of distributers.
 
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Old 08-26-2009
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Hmmm I will check into one of those then! Thanks again man
 


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