Changes necessary with larger tires

[Derekdirtrider]

Hey guys, long time lurker but I finally joined today because while I'm doing my best to understand all the info on here it is a bit overwhelming. I currently have stock tires on my stock 2004 edge 2wd v6 3.0 (245/65R16) and i have a set of 265/75R16 tires that im putting on. From what I've gathered this will affect my speedometer/odometer which I can fix with a chip or the ford dealer can do. And also my gearing will be off. (I think I have 3.73 but I need to double check). So what I'm unsure of is will a gear change be necessary (to 4.10 I think)? And does anyone know of a chip that is CA legal, so far I haven't found any. Can someone please put my mind at ease and confirm this? Also do the larger tires put anything else on my truck at risk for premature failure? My truck is just a daily driver and will rarely, if ever, see anything more than fire roads. Thanks for the help and I apologize as I'm sure you guys get these questions a lot, but I'll feel better if someone could answer for my specific situation.

 

[Tractor Dan]

I would think it needs regeared. I regeared my 97 when i put tires of similar size on. I also put on all terrains so that played into it. I went from 3.73's to 4.10's. I just swapped the whole rear end out, that was easier for me. I also done the U joints while i was at it. I would suggest getting greaseable ones. Hope that helps some. I'm not familiar with the newer Rangers i only know the 97's and back. Hopefully some other folks will come along and help you out more.

Dan

 

[4x4junkie]

Regear your axle for the bigger tires (includes the front axle too for those with 4x4), and recalibrate the speedo (done electronically on '98up models).

Bigger tires do affect longevity of parts, though wheel offset can play an even bigger role.
If you put the larger tires on your stock rims (possible to do since you're not jumping up that much on size), you'll minimize the added leverage put on things like your balljoints, wheelbearings and steering components.
Regearing the axle(s) essentially "hides" the effects of the bigger tires from your engine & trans (I suggest 4.56 or even 4.88 gears to run 265/75R16 tires on a 3.0L).

 

[Derekdirtrider]

I did put them on the stock rims. My speedo seems about 5% off now. Which isn't bad and I'll probably leave it. I'll look into doing gearing changes after I drive it a little more. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Tractor Dan]

If you regear to 4.56 or 4.88 let me know how it does performance wise and as far as mpg goes. When i was running my 3.73's with the 31's i was getting like 10ish mpg. The 4.10 gears kicked it up to about 14. Wonder what going up to the other ratio could do for me? Hmmmm. That being said i'm not in the mood to swap gears in a rear end. I got a 99 cougar with busted motor mounts and the ranger is down till i get the coolant temp sensors put in tomorrow.

Dan

 

[KennyRanger]

I'm not in CA, don't know if this one's legal there: http://www.dotcomdiesel.com/Gas-Evolution-CS.html but works perfect on my rig

 

[Jay W]

I would not regear in your situation, unless you have $2K to blow.

 

[kryptonitecb]

Since when do gears cost $2,000? Its the install that costs around $400 an axle.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

 

[Jay W]

Since when do gears cost $2,000? Its the install that costs around $400 an axle.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

$400 x 2 =$800
gears $200 x 2 =$400
$1200 so I rounded up.

 

[kryptonitecb]

That's the difference of a paycheck for some of us fyi. Makes a huge difference when figuring out what to do.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

 

[Thed]

$400 x 2 =$800
gears $200 x 2 =$400
$1200 so I rounded up.

But cut that in half since he only has 2WD.