I've found that the best place to do research on cars isn't consumer reports, but the biggest forum you can find for the vehicle. So I'm looking at trading in my 2009 Dodge 3500 Dually diesel on a 2011 Ranger tomorrow. I wanted to see what was in store for me if I made this purchase, so here I am.

And, I have several friends who have these trucks, so being able to research any questions or problems they ask me about is an added bonus.

The first question I have, which I have searched for but was unable to come to a concise answer is, where there any differences in the maximum recommended tire size from 2009 to 2011? The chart that's available in the tires section just goes through 2009, and the last post was made last year.

 

They havent changed at all, a 265 is probably your best best for a stock. Whatever sizes it says under 2009 will probably be exactly the same as 2011. And your in for a treat, these are amazing little trucks. Their indestructible, get good mileage, and have tons of customizing options. My only problem with them is they handle terrible. They remind me alot of a jeep wrangler that way, their all over the place. Have fun, and good luck with your ranger!

Oh, and no matter what the specs or anybody says, dont ever try to pull something with your ranger.

 

I don't think they handle all that bad. The ride can be a little rough with the torsion bars, but the way I see it is, it's a truck. If you want good handling and a good ride, buy an Audi. I love my truck. I've had it for almost 2 years and besides regular maintenance type stuff and typical wear and tear, I've had to invest almost no money into besides mods I've done on my own. Reliable little trucks. You will find tons of information on this site to keep you busy modding and answering any questions you may have about them.

 

I agree. I think they handle good with R&p steering, they ride rough for sure. And they get crappy mileage my best is 19.8 all highway but I have 4.10s.

 

Ok, so I did it. But now I have some more questions... of course. Here's a pic of the truck which may, or may not help.


My ranger is equipped with the Rancho suspension system... which means that it's the offroad/tow package. I would like to know if I can go with a set of 31x10.50x15's or if I should stay with with 30x9.50x15's. Due to the year and the suspesion package on this XLT, I'm just a little curious if it would fall into the same catergory, tire size wise, as the Sport package?

I got the truck with a 100k mi maintenance agreement from my dealer. So all the oil changes and everything are paid for. I don't do so much as change a wiper blade during that time. So, I'll have this truck for years to come. Which means I won't be going anywhere.

 

I think the ext cabs ride so much nicer than single cabs do. Now i own 1 of each i can honestly say that lol

 

Nice looking truck!

And you can fit 31's on there no problem.

 

Congrats on the new truck, it should treat you very well, you will be able to fit 31x10.5s with no problem. the fist thing I would recommend is doing the "Pre-Key" mod ( look in the suspension section for more details.) Basically the 08+ trucks are lowered from the factory and buy swapping the t-bar keys and blocks you get a very cheap inch of "lift" and then you can fit 32x11.5 or 33x10.5s under the truck and have room to spare.

welcome to RF

 

Umm I have pulled some pretty obnoxious loads with my little 94 2wd. Such as a full trailer of logs along with all of my equipment in the bed with the rest of the logs that wouldn't fit in the trailer. I have towed cars on a dolley and I have seen people tow full size boats. So I don't know what your talkin about. I'm pretty sure there is a thread somewhere with stuff people have towed in their rangers.

 

Cool, thanks guys. I'm looking at wheel fitment and all of that now. I like to do a LOT of homework before ordering any tires/wheels. In the mean time, my wife liked my truck so much she got a 2008 F-150 5.4 4x4 supercrew. That little half ton pulls her horse trailer like she's not even back there. So the ranger will be more of a screw off vehicle now than I thought.

So far I've had the rear glass tinted, Ford bed mat, bed rails and I got a Delta diamond plate tool box for my birthday. I'm going to get a spray in bedliner, hopefully Tuesday, and I'll get that all bolted together and put up some new pics.

Next step, 31's.

 

Looking forward to the pics! What are you getting for the spray in liner?

 

Wow that truck looks exactly like mine! Except rims. Mine has the upgraded rim package. I own a 2011 also so I can tell you what I think:
The upgraded shocks means your rear end will bounce everywhere when hittin bumps. The interior is a little smaller when talking about width. Im 6' 2" and I definitly had to adapt the way I sit. I usually prop my left knee up beside the steering wheel when doing long drives... not happening. You cant turn lol.
You will definitly love that Vista Blue! Get that bad boy cleaned up and out in the sun, the metallic will light up and make you fall in love! Mostly why I bought mine... lol.
Iv never tired towing anything but I wouldnt have a problem at all hookin up a trailer and pullin my tractor across the country. Just dont expect good mpg lol. They only get 14/18 from the factory lol.
Overall, I love the truck! Yea theres a ton of things I wish they offered (such as 4 doors and leather) but its gonna stick around for awhile I have a feeling. And they were running a $6000 rebate when I got mine

 

I didnt realize you already bought it lol. And im glad you traded a Dodge for a Ford
After I got mine, I didnt have a lot of toying money so Im still saving up for mods

 

Nice lookin truck!
Welcome as well

 

Nice truck. I used to have the same rims, but I couldn't stand knowing that they were Mazda rims (I know, its the same thing, but still) so I was happy to ditch them. I wouldn't go with anything except 31s.

 

Very nice looking ranger

 

Thank for the compliments.

As far as the brand of spray in, I'm not sure. I'm waiting for my local truck shop to get back to me. I've got a good relationship with them because they do a lot of business with the place that I work.

I'm currently kicking around the type of wheels to put on it. Because the TPMS stuff is such a treasure to work with, and I don't like lights on, I'm looking for a set of wheels I can run year round. It snows here in WA, so I'll need something with a good coating on it that won't look like crap in a year. I really like the Mickey Thompson Classic II's but I don't think raw aluminum like that will hold up. I had some American Racing Atlus II's on my Wrangler and they looked like trash about six months after I got them.

So here's how it looks now after a diamond plate box, rear tint, ford bed caps, and a ford rubber bed mat.









And yes, my dodge was a POS, eventhough it was only a year old when I bought it, I ended up having $16,000 in repairs in the year I had it... what a mess.

 

Great buy! I was going to suggest tinting windows, but looks like you did already. Get yourself a spindle and some 33s now, then regear :) And check out Rogue Performance for some badass MPG tunes. I tow **** all day long with my ranger and it does great, they just don't like to be taken swimming :P

 

Yep, I put the maximum legal tint on my rear glass and the two side glass windows in the rear. I'm a big fan of modifying my vehicle, but keeping it within the legal limits.

I'd also be all about lifting it, but not until that magic 36k warranty is up. So, some 31`s and then I'll be good on changing things... ok, prob not. But I would like that to be my next deal.

I was also looking at the KMC XD Enduro wheels and going with a set of 31x10.50x15 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Kevlar tires. What do you think?

 

Yeah, there was $7,000 in rebates (the 6k + 1k from my local ford dealer) so I did it. I've actually wanted one of these since high school and just never had bought one. I tried in 05, but my credit was hacked from an ID theft that occurred to me while I was in Iraq and I couldn't get my credit right.

So... I got a Focus. The left front wheel broke due to an air bubble in the wheel casting (according to Geico Insurance) and it caused the vehicle to roll while I was doing 40 mph in a 45 mph zone around a corner. Damn near killed me because it was a canyon. But, I'm just that guy with that kinda luck...

So this is my second new car ever, and hopefully I have better luck. I'm excited about this one, I have a 100,000 mile warranty on parts, labor, windshield wipers, headlights, carpet, floor mats, and even the OIL CHANGES!!! So, it's working out nicely.

 

Trust me, get a set of older keys and do the pre-key mod. Totally worth it. Search my screen name, a good number of before and after pics. My 31's rub at full crank on the front sway bar.

 

I love this picture too. It's just the other side of the Ranger while on the same little bump in the road.



And yes, it's a green dot road and I have my Discover pass stuck in the windshield. I'm always on the trails here.

 

I had just got back from formula drift in Seattle and some jackass failed to yield and t-boned me driving a Subaru B9 Tribeca



shoving me into a Subaru Legacy... (bad day for subies)



That's right, I took a page straight out of FD's handbook and had to ziptie my bumper back to some semblance of where it should be to limp it home.

 

Now, the question is, do I have them fix the bumper, or do I buy a heavy duty metal one with the money? I was looking at the C4x4 or having a local shop fab me up one. I will have them fix the bed, which I'm being told is probably going to get the whole thing replaced with a "chinese repop"... F*****g accidents...

I just want to get back to