Tire question?

[88ranger5speed]

Plus with my job I get tires 10% off their cost and can install them myself. ?

 

[lvwill]

I have a 2.9 liter and auto with 31" tires and 4:10 gears I was barely getting 14 mpg on the highway, now with 33s and 4:88 getting 20 plus . Gears make a huge difference in performance and drivabilaty.

 

[88ranger5speed]

How much was the swap on the gears? Did you have it done?

 

[lvwill]

I have an 8.8 explorer rear and to have it completely rebuilt with 4:88 Yukon gears and all new bearings and seals it was close to a grand. I'm in the process of doing the Dana 35 now and I'm also doing a cut and turn to eliminate the 4" drop brackets all at the same time. The shop is going

 

[lvwill]

Sorry pushed the wrong key on the phone!
The shop going to charge me 200 plus parts to do the front chunk while I have it apart

 

[88ranger5speed]

I think I'll go with 3.73s and I could get pretty good gas milage with those. It's just a street truck with the 4wd look...city boy truck in other words.

 

[lvwill]

Just saying 31" tires with 4:10 gears around 14 mpg on the highway, 33" tires with4:88 20 plus. And way better drivabilaty.

 

[88ranger5speed]

I just don't think I could stuff 33s.

 

[lvwill]

I'm actually going to get a set of bushwacker cutouts and just go with the 4" springs on the front and leave the back the way it is

 

[88ranger5speed]

I was thinking about that but it's expensive. I was thinking about the 4 inch suspension lift so no trimming needed.

 

[lvwill]

If you are just driving on the street and no off-road you will probably be fine with the body lift. I just have the suspension lift and use my truck mostly off-road. It only goes a couple thousand miles a year.
All those charts are just basic information and every truck is different. So just make a basic plan as to what your intentions are with your truck and build the truck that fits your needs. It's really all trial and error to be honest.

 

[88ranger5speed]

I want the bigger tires. But I don't want an 800$ mistake. If you catch my gist.

 

[lvwill]

Just for puttin around town either size will fit . I had 31s on mine stock height. But I also had 4:10 gears and it was a total slug to drive. After I lifted it and switched to the 33s it was horrible. The gear change made all the difference in the world. Now I can load all the camping gear in the back and cruise on the highway at 70 to 75 and still get 20 or so mpg.

 

[88ranger5speed]

It's just a dd and I want some tires to go through snow. And that's it. I think you have a little more lift than me with mine being a 2wd.

 

[lvwill]

Oh dammit it thought it was a 4wd . You should be fine with the 31s as far as fitting but the gearing situation is exactly the same.