93 4.0 4x4 5 speed 3.73 gears...best tire size?

[Vincenthdfan]

Hello,

I just got told my tire with a nail in it was unrepairable today on my truck, so I am faced with buying 4 new tires and I'm trying to figure out what size I want to go with.

Its a 93 Ranger Supercab 4x4 with 4.0 3.73's and a 5-speed (converted by me from being an automatic).

Door sticker says originally 265/75R15 which is an oddball equivalent of a 31" tire.

My truck currently has 30x9.50-R15's on it which are about 28" tall from previous owner.

With my 3.73 gearing I'm looking at what tire is going to work best for this engine gas mileage wise??

I have been trying to figure out what the majority of 4x4's with 4.0 ohv's came with for tires with 3.73 gearing without much luck?

I would assume 235/75R15's?

Am I better off going to that tire size for better mileage (and cheaper tire price)??

I don't really care about trying to make the truck look like a mudder...I grew outta that a long time ago, lol.

Just want it to be as fuel efficient as possible for dirtbike hauling up in the hills.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

The biggest consideration would be the fact that your speedometer is calibrated for the tire size on the door sticker. There are other considerations, too, like whether a given tire size will clear your suspension, fenders.......

My suggestion would be to go with the tire size showing on the door sticker. Believe it or not, there's a reason that Ford put that tire size on your truck.

 

[scotts90ranger]

30x9.5 is the same as a 235 75 15 which is a very reasonable tire size for all around use, I got 19mpg in the '91 explorer I had for a while with that setup (manual, 4.0L), 235's are cheaper than 30x9.5's even though a lot of them are the same tire...

31" tires will fill out the wheel wells a little more, the 4.0L won't notice much difference, there was a guy around back in the day that loved a 3.73:1 ratio with a 33" tire, but I'd stick to 30 or 31" tires...

 

[Vincenthdfan]

The biggest consideration would be the fact that your speedometer is calibrated for the tire size on the door sticker. There are other considerations, too, like whether a given tire size will clear your suspension, fenders.......

My suggestion would be to go with the tire size showing on the door sticker. Believe it or not, there's a reason that Ford put that tire size on your truck.

I already have all the different colored speedo sprockets to cover that problem, so no worries there...

I just want to get a decent, peak performance from the little truck if I'm going to go to all the trouble I have with it.

I've already converted it to a 5 speed and I have a manual transfer case I'm going to install in it soon too.

I've really enjoyed tinkering with it, parts are cheap and plentiful and the 4.0 pulls great with the 5 speed in it.

 

[stsalvage]

Tire size

Sense the new rangers are running a 16 inch rims I run a 235 75 16 or the 245.Plus it will change your rear gear At high speeds on the freeway your truck will do into the 80's or 90's.My 1991 4.0 with a 4.10 gear max out at 88 MPH Even with over drive I can barley get up to 90 But The engine is revving at 3000 RPM's.The less RPM's means better gas as long as you don't lug the motor.

 

[silverslug]

You all ready answered your own question.

dirtbike hauling up in the hills.

Because of this /\ stick with the 235/75-15 until you can change gears.
Also.......BFG KO2's