Tire Help

[JerrysRanger]

I got a 4 inch lift kit for my 2005 2wd Ford Ranger, what is a quality set of black tires I could get and what size should I look into?

 

[Curious Hound]

What kind of driving will you be doing? What engine do you have? Increasing tire size will change your performance - mpg and perceived torque and horsepower. So there will be trade-offs. Offroad tires generally are softer and wear faster. So if you do a lot of highway driving that may affect your decision. What are your goals with this truck?












Why black?

 

[JerrysRanger]

I have a 4 cylinder engine I don’t off-road crazy amounts but I do from time to time, I drive mostly in the mountains on northern New Jersey not too much on the highway. I was thinking black since that would look good on my truck.

 

[JerrysRanger]

I’m honestly just look for a cheaper, quality set of tires that would fit my truck but I don’t know what I can fit with the lift.

 

[Rick W]

Daily driver or occasional toy? Mine are toys, I don’t have to rely on them for work, etc.

The bigger your tires, the more you hinder off-the-line torque/jump/speed. Big big tires will make the truck feel anemic unless you also change the rear end to a higher ratio to restore that off-the-line performance. Also, bigger tires and/or higher ratio or both cut gas mileage.

Sooo, I suggest these steps for us to help:

What size engine and which transmission?
What’s the rear ratio? I think there’s a code on the door sticker and there’s a metal tag on the rear end. If you google either you’ll get the ratio.
Then google “2005 Ford ranger images.” You’ll get pictures of a zillion ‘05 rangers. Copy the 2-3 you like best and post it with this info. These TRS guys can tell you how to get set up with what you have, or what you’ll have to change to get the look and performance you want.

My only other thought is do you have a limited slip diff or not now, and are you going to change the gears. If so, you can also select LS or open. Also affects mileage, but a consideration in snow country (might be too late for this week!).

& my final thought (which should be first) is these changes will also affect braking and maybe steering. Safety first!!!

Hope it helps.

 

[JohnnyO]

A 4" lift will fit 33's. The common 33x12.50-15 on a 15x8 wheel with 3.75" backspace or a 305/70-16 on a 16x8 with around 0" offset. I run Mastercraft all-terrains, they don't cost a lot, essentially Cooper's bargain basement brand. You will need at least 4.56 gears. A 4 cyl will have the 7.5" rear axle and I don't know if anyone makes 4.88's for it or not.