what size will work with out gearing?

[pillen140]

i have a 1995 ranger 4x4 3.0L 5spd.
it has a 2 inch susp lift, i currently have 235/75/15 tires. i would like to get 31's but i also would like to put a 3 inch bodylift and im afraid that the 31's would look too small. i like the looks of 33's but im afraid with that little 3.0 that it will make it impossible it move out of my own way with out putting new gears in it. does any one have a 3.0L with 31's, have any input? are the 31's just as bad? i dont want to gear it because of the $$$. harder yet i cant seam to find a pic of a genIII ranger with 31's. any help would be appreciated. thanks

 

[BlackBII]

You might find a pic in here http://www.jamesduff.com/scripts/bronco.asp?category=ranger&page=1

Depending on your current gearing, I'd probably stick with the 31's over the 33's, more power and probably better gas mileage

 

[pillen140]

its got 3.73, but would it look goofy with a 3 inch body lift? thanks

 

[Joe_Roofer]

I agree with Black BII
Plus, your 235's are probably 28.5 in tall (give or take). That's what mine are so add 3" body lift and 2.5" in tires (or 1.25" in height)... Your truck will be only 1.75" higher over the tires than it is now.
Does that help you visualize if they'd look to small?
By the way, my truck has same tires, 3" body lift and I'm about to install 2" suspension lift and move up to 31's myself.

 

[metalmacguyver]

that 3.0 is a good motor. if your not driving it with it at atleast 3000 rpm which is where it performs best, then it will feel sluggish with your current tires and even worse afterwards. if your driving it right then it will depend on what gears you currently have in your axles. if you have 4.10s or 3.73s then 31s are perfect but 33s are managable. if you have lower than that, you probably wont like it with 31s never mind 33s.

 

[pillen140]

i got another question for you guys, do you know if a jeep 5x4.5 lug wheel will fit a ranger 5x4.5 lug pattern? my friend is selling a set of 32" cooper stt on jeep rockcrawlers. wonder if that would work, would the added tire size make the diff more prone to blow out?

 

[Ozwynn]

5x4.5 is a 5x4.5. you need to worry about back spacing.

 

[pillen140]

i know the back spacing would clear and the fenders too, thanks

 

[JohnnyO]

Generally speaking, OE Jeep wheels have more backspacing than Ford wheels, meaning the tires will be closer to the body. If they are aftermarket wheels that happen to be on a Jeep, they should be fine on a Ranger.

 

[machspeed]

I also have a 3.0l with 3.73 gears. I just went from 235 snow tires to 33" mud terrains. I didn't really notice a big difference in 1st or 2nd gear, but in 3rd and 4th, the engine is definitly more labored, and 5th gear is stupid to use unless I can get 2500 or more rpm out of it, so I would stick to 31's if you do alot of driving with it.