33x10.5x15 with the 2.3

[hntr45]

How would 33x10.5x15 tires do with the 4 banger? I have regeared up to 4.10 and I've got a body lift im gonna install to fit 33's, i just wasn't sure if the engine will turn 33's well with 4.10 gears or not. Also, any pics of a ranger with 33x10.5x15 would be appreciated too

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have no personal experience with a 4banger and the gears and tire size you want. I suspect that the lack of torque will make you want smaller tires or lower gears.
Tho here's a chart that says it's OK;
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/gearandtirechart.shtml

 

[Hagan]

I dd my Ranger with 35x12.5-r15 and a stock 2.3 with a lot of miles and 5.13 gears. It was slow but not so aweful. It wasn't any worse than any Toyota with a pile of shit 22r/re.

You must be running BFG's?

 

[Captain Ledd]

I'd really look at re-gearing, but it should be at least manageable. Just don't have ANY expectations to use overdrive, keep her in 1:1 tops.

 

[PlumCrazy]

2.3 with 4.10s and 31s cant hold 5th on the freeway...33's and 4.10s will be awful. either stick to 31s, or go 4.88/5.13s

 

[wizkid00104]

2.3 with 4.10s and 31s cant hold 5th on the freeway...33's and 4.10s will be awful. either stick to 31s, or go 4.88/5.13s

x2

I have 31s and I'd prefer to have 4.30s.

 

[SenorNoob]

I'd second wanting to see any pics. I've seriously considered that size post-lift. Whenever that may be....

 

[bigmark303]

All depends on your driving habits. I drove on 32s with a 1995 2.3L Automatic 3.73 gears and didnt have much issue. Maintained 24mpg with it as well. I also dont expect more than 1/8th throttle out of any of my vehicles for regular road driving. I dont keep up with traffic, am never in a rush, and never go over 55mph. Under those conditions the truck was just fine and didnt under perform.

On the other side of things my brother had a 2.5L automatic 4.10 gears and he fit a set of BFG AT KO 33x10.50x15 I had laying around. His driving is a lot more in congested areas where in order to not be rude you need to keep up with traffic. Needless to say he was fighting that truck every step of the way with his 31s before he went to 33s. 3500rpm was the least that truck ever saw except for idling in traffic with 33s.

If you drive out in a relaxed low traffic area you wont care for the lack of power, anywhere else you probably already hate your 2.3L with normal size tires.

And as a side note 33x10.50x15 fit a stock 1998 2wd Ranger without lift. Completely stuffed and in no way useful for flex but didnt rub at full lock. Didnt fit pre 1998 though because of the front end being lower.

 

[4x4junkie]

And as a side note 33x10.50x15 fit a stock 1998 2wd Ranger without lift. Completely stuffed and in no way useful for flex but didnt rub at full lock. Didnt fit pre 1998 though because of the front end being lower.

Guessing that had to have been a 2WD Edge or Trailhead model with the torsion bar front suspension. Any other 2WD (having coil springs) you'd be hard-pressed to get anything bigger than a 30x9.50R15 under it.

 

[bigmark303]

Guessing that had to have been a 2WD Edge or Trailhead model with the torsion bar front suspension. Any other 2WD (having coil springs) you'd be hard-pressed to get anything bigger than a 30x9.50R15 under it.

It actually was a 1998 2.5L 2wd XLT with the coil front end. As I said the tires filled out the wheel wells completely and it was in no way functional suspension wise besides driving on the road.

The truck had full lock turn capability as well which surprised me.

 

[scrapper]

I have 31's and 3.73 gears. It doesn't see 5th gear unless I'm doing at least 70 and road must be flat. I know 31's and 4.10 work nice but if you want to go bigger then you will want a lot bigger gears. higher 4's or lower 5's if you can get them.I don't know but isn't there a limit to the gears that will fit without a aftermarket cast iron cover?

 

[4x4junkie]

It actually was a 1998 2.5L 2wd XLT with the coil front end. As I said the tires filled out the wheel wells completely and it was in no way functional suspension wise besides driving on the road.

The truck had full lock turn capability as well which surprised me.

Interesting. I would've figured the tires would've been all stuffed up against the top of the wheelwells (or maybe that's what you meant by 'not functional suspension wise'?)

I have 31's and 3.73 gears. It doesn't see 5th gear unless I'm doing at least 70 and road must be flat. I know 31's and 4.10 work nice but if you want to go bigger then you will want a lot bigger gears. higher 4's or lower 5's if you can get them.I don't know but isn't there a limit to the gears that will fit without a aftermarket cast iron cover?

It's a matter of what gears are offered by the aftermarket for the axle.
The 8.8" has gobs of ratios available from various manufacturers. The 7.5" has quite a bit available too, though 4.88:1 is one that isn't among them.

 

[scrapper]

I got an 8.8 on the floor of my garage still. I got 4.10 gears to put in it. I am not going to do that. I need 33"s to fill the wheel wells but I'm not sure what to get after that either. I guess I better start reading up now. I think I read somewhere you could only go up to 4.88 or 5.13 in an 8.8 but after a certain size the cover would hit the gears. I will have to look it up now.

 

[4x4junkie]

I seem to recall some of the thin stamped covers (often the cheap chrome ones) were ones that hit against the ring gear on deeply geared 28 spline 8.8" axles due to the cover mounting flange on the housing being approx ¼ inch closer to the axle centerline. On a 31-spline axle I don't believe this should be an issue with with any cover.

I'm not aware of any cast covers (steel or aluminum) having this issue.

 

[PlumCrazy]

5.13 is the limit for the 8.8 unfortunately. Any deeper and there would be no pinion left.