Oversize A/T Tire Experience

[PNW Ranger]

The real differential tag also says: '7 5'. And where my AAA credit card outweighed common sense, I had a Yukon Gear and Axle limited slip rear differential installed.

PNW Ranger

 

[sgtsandman]

With 4.10 gearing, you could run either tire and be ok. If you still want to keep some of the get up and go you have now, 30" will do better but 31" won't be horrible. Here's the tire vs gear ratio chart to get an idea where you'll sit with things. Keep in mind, it is a generalized chart. So result may vary a bit but it will get you a ball park idea how the tires will perform with your gear ratio.

Gear Ratio Guide For Larger Tires

www.therangerstation.com

Also, keep in mind the 3.0 is designed to produce it's best power at higher rpms than standard. So, running 30" might be a better choice than 31" but only you can decide which seems to perform better to you since you are familiar with how the truck drives now before the tire upgrade.

 

[clarkbre]

With the 4.10 gearing, I wouldn't hesitate to run 31's. From that era, plenty of Rangers came with them as a stock option.....mine did and it works great. We've got very similar trucks but I've got the 4.0 with 3.73 gears. It runs the 31's with ease.

If you'd like to PM me, I've got a spreadsheet that I can share. You can plug in all the data for your transmission, diff gearing and tire size to see the difference in RPM at any given speed. It's been helpful for me in deciding on tires.

 

[Josh B]

Isn't a 31 and a 265 fairly well near the same size?
Are the 4,10s a weaker gear?

 

[clarkbre]

Yes. 265/75r15 measure out to 30.5x10.5. 31x10.5r15's measure out to 30.5 tall and 10.5 wide. 4.10 would be lower (stronger) gearing than 3.73 or 3.55.

 

[Josh B]

Mine actually calls for 265s according to the door label, but due to cost and availability I retired to 235, which is basically 7% less in mileage and revolution per mile, which really wasn't that large a factor far as I'm concerned. Lt hasn't come close to dragging but I don't go out looking for large rocks to climb anyway

What does the 410 change in revolution per mile?
Is it actually a lower gear? That would equal more pulling power

 

[clarkbre]

Mine actually calls for 265s according to the door label, but due to cost and availability I retired to 235, which is basically 7% less in mileage and revolution per mile, which really wasn't that large a factor far as I'm concerned. Lt hasn't come close to dragging but I don't go out looking for large rocks to climb anyway

What does the 410 change in revolution per mile?
Is it actually a lower gear?

It seems your mixing some information that makes things confusing. You're looking at tire revolutions per mile where "RPM" and gearing is relating to the overall engine speed.

Given the same tire size (my truck also calls for 265/75r15 on the placard) but different gearing, the engine will spin faster with the higher number....equaling more power transferred to the wheels.

This chart shows a truck with a 265/75r15 tire and the difference of engine RPM using 3.73 vs 4.10 gearing with the 5R55E transmission. At 60mph in 5th gear, using 3.73, the engine spins at 1840 RPM. With 4.10 gearing, its at 2023 RPM....a 183 RPM difference. Although the engine RPM is higher with the 4.10, it also is working with less resistance so it move the truck easier than if it had the 3.73.

Switching to a smaller tire, does a similar thing.

Below, the chart uses the same 4.10 gearing for both tires but the tires area 265/75r15 and 235/75r15. With the larger tires, the engine spins at a lower RPM than with the smaller 235 tires.

 

[Josh B]

Yes sir, I realize that, but I was faced with other concerns that over ruled being generous to the truck :/ It really has been a good vehicle, that I am actually fortunate to have owned. I wish I had spent more of the time spent with the seller asking questions about the man she bought it from.
I did learn he bought one each year, not sure if he was brand particular or what, and judging only by what he put into mine, I think he had a good idea what he was doing, most of it being top notch choices as far as I could tell/guess. The only differences to me was the 373 and the 410, sounds like a kids shotgun don't it
Are you building a rock crawler?

 

[clarkbre]

..... Are you building a rock crawler?

No rock crawler here. Mine will be mainly for running forest service roads and goofing around. I want the biggest tire but within reason so the truck still runs at highway speed without issue and can also do some light offroading.

 

[gw33gp]

I ran 31" tires with 4.10 gears on my 89 STX with manual transmission and a 2.9L engine. It was perfect for off-road, daily driving and towing. I always towed in 4th gear, not because it couldn't, but because 5th gear was bad for the transmission when towing.

I originally had 3.73 gears when I went to 31" tires. It was hard on the clutch and poor power in 5th. The 4.10 gear took care of that.

 

[Blmpkn]

Something to keep In mind is you only get 1/2 inch more clearance per inch of additional tire diameter. The cost/clearance ratio Is terrible if the goal is better performance.

Lifting your truck 1" though... much cheaper option if possible.. and you'd get a full inch of clearance.

 

[Lefty]

Something to keep In mind is you only get 1/2 inch more clearance per inch of additional tire diameter. The cost/clearance ratio Is terrible if the goal is better performance.

Lifting your truck 1" though... much cheaper option if possible.. and you'd get a full inch of clearance.

Mine is lifted, and yes there is plenty of room for a larger tire. BUT, unlike some, I believe that a lift should also come with stiffer sway bars, maybe not for off road, but for driving at highway speeds on the streets.

 

[00t444e]

The 3.0 is slow enough as is, it would be awful with bigger tires.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The 3.0 is slow enough as is, it would be awful with bigger tires.

Just like anything else, you gotta play to their advantage. I have seen 3.0 trucks do very well offroad on rubber well larger than little 31's.

 

[Bear in the woods]

Just my opinion. But I have always had a firm belief, if a 4 wheeler can go through it ,so can my ranger. 30’s and 31’s is all I have ran on either of mine. The 2.9l has 30.5’s . Mainly rutted hills and big mud holes and creek crossings around here. Buckshot mudders have always been a favorite type tire. Love the lugs.