Oversize A/T Tire Experience

[PNW Ranger]

I have a 1998 Ford Ranger XL, 4x4, automatic transmission, 3.0 Liter V6. It has the stock tire size 235-75R-15, Walmart specials. Just looking a the rig, it's obvious that the tires are undersized for the wheel wells. So I'm considering buying a set of bigger A/T tires, either 30x9.5R 15 or 31x10.5R 15.

I'm looking to do mild off-roading on the forest roads here in the Seattle area. Not rock-crawling. I'm looking to keep the Ranger stock otherwise.

If you've installed oversize A/T tires on a similar Ranger, I'd appreciate hearing about your experience. Good, bad, unexpected, or quirky.

Thanks

PNW Ranger

 

[Uncle Gump]

What do you have for gear ratio?

 

[gw33gp]

It takes an engine with good torque to power larger diameter wheels well. The 3.0 is not known for torque. Be prepared to run at high rpm or install lower ratio diff gears as Mr Grump was hinting at. You can also pretty much forget using OD if you run stock gears and 31" tires.

Actually, running 30" tires may be ok if you don't have tall diff gears.

 

[sgtsandman]

If all you are doing is forest service roads, you might not even need an over size tire, just something with some decent tread that won't slip that much in most conditions on those roads.

But like mentioned above, let us know what your gear ratio is. You might be able to step up the tire size a bit and not have it penalize you too bad.

 

[PNW Ranger]

Gears are 4.10. Sometimes in wonder when I'm driving on the highway if the 3.0 L v6 might be happier with larger OD tires.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I've never owned a 3.0L... but I've owned several 4.10 gear trucks.

The choice us yours... but personally wouldn't think twice about 31's.

 

[Dantheman1540]

I’d do the 31s in a heart beat with 4.10s.

 

[Josh B]

I'd start by looking at the door label to see what tires it was designed for

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I love my 31's... do confirm your gear ratio.

Factory 4.10's are almost too good to be true, Ford was really stingy with them and it kind of makes me suspicious.

 

[superj]

I have an extra set of wheels with either 30s or 31s for my 3.0 and 5 speed and 4.10 gear set. It must have been 30s because i noticed no difference in driving feel except the tires felt more flexible.

 

[superj]

Here is a pic

 

[Lefty]

I have a 3.0 with a 4:10. I'm very happy with 30's which are about 10 1/4 wide. Mine does a little farm work but no big off road adventures. I prefer torque and acceleration. This is an Edge with 1" lift blocks in back. The front torsion bar has been cranked down about 3/4" It's still an inch higher than stock.

 

[PNW Ranger]

Understood, that's why I posed the question to the forum.

Thanks
PNW Ranger

I'd start by looking at the door label to see what tires it was designed for

I'd start by looking at the door label to see what tires it was designed for

I will confirm.
PNW Ranger

 

[PNW Ranger]

I love my 31's... do confirm your gear ratio.

Factory 4.10's are almost too good to be true, Ford was really stingy with them and it kind of makes me suspicious.

I will confirm the 4:10 gears.

 

[PNW Ranger]

I love my 31's... do confirm your gear ratio.

Factory 4.10's are almost too good to be true, Ford was really stingy with them and it kind of makes me suspicious.

I checked the tag on the rear differential:

4 10