Please excuse the post if it's in the wrong forum.

I have a stock 2009 Ranger XL regular cab 2.3L 4cyl manual 2wd, basically the bottom of the line except with A/C. I can use the sticky chart above to see what the maximum tire and rim size to put on it without a lift or anything (thanks for that). I am assuming, of course, that the '08 is the same as the '09.

How will putting larger tires on my truck affect the power. Has anyone done this and experienced an extreme drop in power? The engine seems pretty under powered as is, and I'm afraid to put bigger tires on and lose even more. Would re-gearing help to solve this problem? Then will I just lose MPG?

Thanks!

 

with the 4 banger engine your going to need new gears to turn them fatty tires. how big were you looking to go?

 

larger tires are heavier and also raise the effective final drive ratio and the only real good way to fix it is with gears. if geared correctly you can re-gain most of you MPG's with the lager tires depending on how large you go.

 

I wanted to go as big as I can WITHOUT putting on any kind of lift. I really don't want to spend a lot of money. I just want some bigger tires/rims so it doesn't look like a gardener's truck. But re-gearing sounds expensive; plus I have to figure out what ratio...

 

well you can run 35's if you cut your fenders off hahahaha

you wanna make it look aggressive with some 15 inch rims and some 31's or put some 17's with some 235's lol

bottom line, you want big tires on a 4 banger, be prepared to regear. and its not that expensive actually. you can get a explorer 8.8 rear end with 4.10 gears for what like 2-300 bucks guys?

where abouts in cali are you?

 

I dunno if I would go big with your engine. I have a 2008 V6 and 33s and I definately noticed a loss of power. Off the line is more sluggish and kissed 5th gear goodbye. If you go with bigger tires I would definately consider a re-gear.

 

What gears do you have now? If you don't know I believe it is on your door sticker under axle code.

 

prob wanna re-gear but you can also go to doug at BamaChips Tuning and get a programmer that will incrediably help on the power and MPG's!!

 

I had to regear when I put my 31's on and plan on going 33's for my next tire. I have the 2.5L. I know locally you can get a explorer 8.8 with 4.10 L/S for only $90 I think at the junkyard. What size tire we goin?

 

I'm in South Orange County, CA. This truck is really just a commuter truck. I need the power and good MPGs more than the look of the ride. I drive a lot, which is why I bought it. I just wanted to give it some style so it didn't look like a gardening truck. Right now the windows are blacked out with limo tint, and I put a tonneau cover on it. It's all white except for the windows. I was thinking black rims and just a little bit bigger tires/rims so it looks like they fit in the wheel well better. It's completely stock otherwise. Since it's just an extra car for commuting for work, I don't really want to spend a lot of unnecessary money on it. You guys have been giving some really options/ideas. I definitely appreciate it! I have been looking at some of your truck pictures, and they look great. I won't be off-roading, just driving. I want to try to go for the black and white storm-trooper look. Oh, and not like a ghetto g-ride either. If I could spend under 800-1000 dollars, I'd be stoked for sure.

 

If you're worried about power and mpg but wanna mod the truck there are TONS of options without touching the wheels/tires.... do you have pics?? Post some and we can throw out some ideas...

 

lol a set of tires and wheels is gonna run you close to a grand. i payed 875 out the door for my 15x8 MB predators and Falken Ziex 225/60/15's

 

^^ That's if you go new... since you don't NEED them you can bargain shop hardcore... I got my tires for $300 for the set and the wheels were like $70 ea....

 

what wheels is grab her rocking ?

 

Cragar 441

 

no wonder they were so cheap

 

OHHHH!! you just opened a can of hornets!!!! I like her wheels I'd rock'em!!

Yeah there was a dude on here that had your similar truck but a lil older model and put 32 or 33's on idr....but he didnt have that much trouble i dont believe!!

 

That's cool.... they weren't my first choice by any means but I like 'em better than my stock ones and they were in my budget...

 

Here are some pics:

I was thinking of going with black rims. Just not sure how big I can go without re-gearing and still be able to go up a hill and go 80mph on the freeway.

 

Man, that truck is as clean as it gets! I like it.

 

my OPINION.....i would do a BL and just run 31x10.50!! looks really good and you dont have to re-gear, just get a programmer on your truck and you actually have a lil more power and a lil better MPG's!! keep the wheels you have and just paint them black!! I've done 2 bl's on 2wd rangers that's had those wheels and they look really good!!

 

Why go BL instead of suspension? What kit should I get? The chart says I can run the 31s without a lift, but you think I definitely need a lift?

Also, I like your idea about the wheels. I was looking to purchase new black rims, but I don't think I can find any that are under $50 a wheel. I would most likely need the same size wheel, so why buy new rims right? I can powder coat the stock ones black and put larger tires on them. Is $50 per wheel about right for powder coating?

 

Yep, 50 per sounds about right!



Not sure what the omments are on this - but maybe swing them by a auto shop and see what it costs to clearcoat them as well.. inhibits it from rusting up, and keeps the black looking damn good for a long time.



The other method - jsut rattle can them with a gloss or mid gloss black.. then if any dings happen, you can just shoot them where it happened.

 

i went 30.5's on my 01 2.5L with no lift... i felt significant power loss with thoes tires

 

Id go the Mustang rim route or any 5 spoke really. I think they look amazing on the XL's just get a bigger rim 17" max and get the tire a little wider and be done.