Eric here. I've been doing a lot of research on the Ranger, and I've gotten a lot of good info here.

I have a 2000 Ranger XL with the 3.0L flex fuel engine. It currently has 225k and is still going strong.

I'm in the process of giving it a makeover and have a few questions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

For starters, should I go with (and will they fit) the 31x10.5R15's? I'm tired of my buddies parking along side of me dwarfing my Ranger. At the same time I don't want to lose a whole lot of power. I believe I had a Liberator 235 75R15, which was a pretty good size tire, but I want bigger. I'm having second thoughts about the 31's and am leaning towards the 30 to prevent loss of power and rubbing.

Next I want to put on a 2001 front clip (grill and color matching bumper). Do you think it will mate up or will there need to be extensive modifications? I'm prepared to make minor mods.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the site!

 

Welcome to RF!

 

Welcome to RF!

 

Welcome to Ranger-Forums!

 

Wirelessly posted (Droid2)

The 31's will fit, but you may need to lift it a bit. There are endless options for these trucks. Try searching for threads that may answer some of your other questions. Welcome to the site!

 

Thanks Jason. It's in the shop getting the suspension reworked. Do you think it will need that torsion bar crank to get the clearance? I mentioned it to the guy and he said he'd talk with his front end guy and verify the ride height. I don't think they'll adjust the torsion bar and honor their warranty. So I'm leaning towards the 30's. It's at a friend of the family's shop. He said he'd try the 31's but I don't want to waste his time if I can find out for sure they won't fit.
I'll search again, but as for the front end clip, all I saw was "it should" work. I'm going to keep searching, hoping to find a definitive answer.
Thanks for the input!

 

Hey ironman35773, welcome to Ranger-Forums.com

Make sure to check out RFs picture gallery here
CLICK TO CHECK IT OUT - RATE PICTURES

Hope to see you around!

 

Welcome

 

Welcome to the site! You can put an 01+ front end on without too much work!

 

31's fit with no lift. I did have the shocks replaced, so there may be some issues with older, worn shocks.

 

So I got my 31's (only 29 after inflating ) now my engine has spark knock and shifting issues. Well given all the electronics installed, and after researching this problem, I decided to take it to the ford dealership to have the GEM "flashed" with the new tires.
Well they said they couldn't do it with that model (keep in mind it's a 2 wheel drive 2000 Ranger, 3.0L Flex fuel, Regular Cab). They proceeded to tell me there are "2" vehicle speed sensors on my truck, and they would have to order the one that would compensate for the larger tires.
$100 and wait until monday. Not trying to be chauvinistic, but the young lady I was talking to didn't appear to be knowledgeable in the area (more customer service oriented, not mechanical, and yes I know there are SEVERAL capable women out there that are mechanical. I would not be the least bit embarrassed if one here solved my problem!) so I asked to speak with a mechanic. She brought their head transmission guy over, and let's just say I wasn't impressed.
I got the feeling as if "NOBODY'S ever tried this before! PUT BIGGER TIRES ON A FORD RANGER! WOW! Who'd of thought!"
You guys work on these vehicles for a living, and you've NEVER had a customer come in with a similar issue!
Anyway, I got home and crawled all around under the truck, and NOWHERE on the transmission did I find a VSS. I found the ABS Speed sensor on the differential just fine!

So finally (Pardon the rant) Does anyone know of this VSS on the transmission of a 2000 Ford Ranger that has an ABS Speed Sensor on the differential as well?
Secondly, does anyone know why they can't program the GEM? (From what I understand, it's the year of the vehicle. They don't have the necessary software to do it.)

Anyway, $2500 in neglected maintenance and tires, and now it drives like crap!

How long can these posts be? Let's find out...

I bought this truck in 2002. I put 235 75R15 Uniroyal Liberators on it. Shortly thereafter I started seeing the same problem as I do now. Doesn't know when to shift into overdrive. Erratic shifting until it throws a code. Once the code is thrown, HARD shifting from first to second. Stayed in first up to like 35-40 and slam into second. I learned to get it up to about 25 and let of the gas a little and it would shift much more gently into second. Finally took it to the shop and they rebuilt the transmission. March 15, 2005. 159,983 miles at the time. Have about 65,000 on rebuilt transmission that was running just fine before new tires. Now bigger tires...problems back! Don't have to be a rocket surgeon to figure this one out! How do you compensate for the oversized tires!

So Ford is ordering me some VSS located on the transmission itself, that I can NOT find, that's geared to correct the speedometer. Will it take care of the shifting issues?
It better!
OH! And this problem occurs intermittently and is reset by turning it off and starting it back. May run fine for awhile only to act up again!
I don't want to hear about transmission/torque converter problems! Calibrate this thing and send me on my way!

So there you have it! UGH!!!!!

 

Welcome to the forum!