01+ Tire questions...

[Original_Ranger84]

Ok well I'm down in Ohio visiting my mom and I'm looking over her truck cause its getting about 12 mpg.... the tires are wearing funny and one has a possible bulge...

I'm changing the fuel filter and checking the plugs/wires (if they have the tools here) for the fuel mileage cause neither have been changed since the truck was bought...

Anyways Why I'm here in the tire section. To those of you with 01+ trucks with the Live axles I was wondering if the front end of your trucks wore through tires faster on the inside? On the tires just the inner tread is wearing, I figure its out of alignment or somethings worn but I noticed the front end likes to grab on turns like mine does when the hubs are locked and I know its bad to drive on dry pavement like that so am thinking maybe its just from the turning?

The tires are BFGoodrich Rugged Terrain T/A's size 245/75R16 with about 30,000 miles on them. The rest of the tires look like they have 30k on them just not the inside.

Also one of them apparently has a bulge so I am looking for it and looking into new tires for the truck.

My question is its a 4.0L SOHC Auto 4x4 4 door extended cab with a camper shell and 4.10 gearing sitting on 245/75R16's. My question is since its the 4.0L with 4.10's would jumping up to a 265/75 or a 265/70 help the fuel economy any? she never hauls things so power isn't a big issue, and if the tires aren't heavier then perhaps I could get an extra 1 - 2 mpgs? or would a slightly smaller tire help?

Also Anyone reccommend a good Highway tread or other high mileage low rolling resistance tire?

 

[4x4junkie]

I would not suggest bigger tires on that, stick with the 245/75s and make sure the pressure is correct (or maybe even run an extra 5 PSI in them) if MPG is your primary concern.
I know Michelin has some good high-mileage tires in their lineup (my dad has LTX A/S tires on his dodge that seem like good mileage-orientated 'truck' tires).

As for the alignment, it definitely sounds like it's off to me (toed-out). The axle turning all the time should have no bearing on tire wear as long as the transfer case is in 2WD. Bad alignment can have an effect on MPG as well.

 

[azreb]

One school of thought says that narrower tires will give better gas mileage. If that is correct a 215/85R16 should be practically the same diameter (if my math is correct), not affecting speedometer readings and be a bit narrower. I am not sure the theory is true, tho. I did the same thing with a Nissan and don't recall a significant mileage difference. The tire company did say that changing from the factory size could adversely affect handling. Their lawyers probably required that statement.

 

[bilzy7]

My ranger wore inside only because of alignment. Should be very obvious that alignment is out by looking straight on at front end. Top of tires will be bow legged; top in, bottom out.

 

[JohnnyO]

One school of thought says that narrower tires will give better gas mileage. If that is correct a 215/85R16 should be practically the same diameter (if my math is correct), not affecting speedometer readings and be a bit narrower.

The 215/85's I've seen are all 10 ply though, much too stiff for a Ranger. Will ride hard, flat spot, and not help mpg much at all. Get an alignment and keep the stock size for best mpg. If I recall my old '02 Ranger correctly, the manual called for 30 in front and 35 in the rear but I would reverse that (unless I was going to load it up), 35 front and 30 rear, and the tires wore perfectly.

 

[Shovel]

My question is its a 4.0L SOHC Auto 4x4 4 door extended cab with a camper shell and 4.10 gearing sitting on 245/75R16's. My question is since its the 4.0L with 4.10's would jumping up to a 265/75 or a 265/70 help the fuel economy any? she never hauls things so power isn't a big issue, and if the tires aren't heavier then perhaps I could get an extra 1 - 2 mpgs? or would a slightly smaller tire help?

Didn't help me. Although I went with a more agressive all terrain than the previous slicks, I got 2-3 MPG less jumping up to a 265/75.