What to do to fit 255/85/16 on stock 04' XLT 4x4 Ranger
#1
What to do to fit 255/85/16 on stock 04' XLT 4x4 Ranger
Hey everyone. I have an '04 XLT 4x4 Ranger and am looking at doing tires this winter. I have the OEM 245/75/16 setup on there now, but want more height below the diff for ground clearance. I have 4.10 gears, so that should help out moving the bigger tires a little easier. I also have stock 2" blocks on the rear and torsion bars in the front.
Now, I wanted to do 285/75/16s, but then caught a thread talking about 255/85/16 and was interested. It's a SLIGHTLY taller tire (about 2-3 mm) and gives me what I want in ground clearance. The truck is my toy truck, so it only gets maybe 7K miles a year (my car does my 100+ miles per day drive to work and back). So, mpg loss isn't a big deal for me, but I'd still like to keep what I have if I can.
I'm looking to get good to great snow traction (for the occassional Maryland snow-mageddon), and still maintain some road mpg. I have yet to find any good dirt trails to try out the suspension and drivetrain around my way, but with more ground clearance I'll feel better.
Now, for the main concerns - I know I will need to go up in height some, so I was going to do the 2" max torsion crank (not the keys, since I've read a LOT of bad things on them) and a 1-2" shackle lift for the rear. I was planning on using the stock rims I have now (if possible), but if not I was going to see what I could find in some steelies. Do any of you have any knowledge on whether or not new steelies will be needed, or can the stock rims suffice without rubbing? I'm thinking they will rub closer to lock-to-lock turns, but I'd rather get some confirmation from you all.
I know the "pizza-cutter" look isn't for everyone, but they still give me a little wider tire and the ground clearance that I am really looking for. I was looking at the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 for tires too: BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2
Now, I wanted to do 285/75/16s, but then caught a thread talking about 255/85/16 and was interested. It's a SLIGHTLY taller tire (about 2-3 mm) and gives me what I want in ground clearance. The truck is my toy truck, so it only gets maybe 7K miles a year (my car does my 100+ miles per day drive to work and back). So, mpg loss isn't a big deal for me, but I'd still like to keep what I have if I can.
I'm looking to get good to great snow traction (for the occassional Maryland snow-mageddon), and still maintain some road mpg. I have yet to find any good dirt trails to try out the suspension and drivetrain around my way, but with more ground clearance I'll feel better.
Now, for the main concerns - I know I will need to go up in height some, so I was going to do the 2" max torsion crank (not the keys, since I've read a LOT of bad things on them) and a 1-2" shackle lift for the rear. I was planning on using the stock rims I have now (if possible), but if not I was going to see what I could find in some steelies. Do any of you have any knowledge on whether or not new steelies will be needed, or can the stock rims suffice without rubbing? I'm thinking they will rub closer to lock-to-lock turns, but I'd rather get some confirmation from you all.
I know the "pizza-cutter" look isn't for everyone, but they still give me a little wider tire and the ground clearance that I am really looking for. I was looking at the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 for tires too: BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2
#2
I'm all for the 255/85s or 33x10.50s. I know 33x10.5s fit without issue. Is this the thread you're referring to? https://www.ranger-forums.com/vehicl...e-pics-135960/
#3
I'm all for the 255/85s or 33x10.50s. I know 33x10.5s fit without issue. Is this the thread you're referring to? https://www.ranger-forums.com/vehicl...e-pics-135960/
If anyone else knows, please chime in. Thanks!
#4
Going to do the 2" torsion twist lift for the front, 2" shackles for the rear, ProComp 98 RockCrawler 16x8 (5x4.5) with 4.25" backspacing in gloss black (getting 5 for the price of 3), and the KM2 255/85/16 will be coming next month.
Will finally put on my nodular iron rear diff cover and have replacement U-joints and front brake components to add next weekend. Getting the stopping power ready for the larger tires.....this will be a fun truck soon enough. Not ridiculously big, but fun to play in the snow and on some trails (and farm land around my area).
Will finally put on my nodular iron rear diff cover and have replacement U-joints and front brake components to add next weekend. Getting the stopping power ready for the larger tires.....this will be a fun truck soon enough. Not ridiculously big, but fun to play in the snow and on some trails (and farm land around my area).
#6
Going to do the 2" torsion twist lift for the front, 2" shackles for the rear, ProComp 98 RockCrawler 16x8 (5x4.5) with 4.25" backspacing in gloss black (getting 5 for the price of 3), and the KM2 255/85/16 will be coming next month.
Will finally put on my nodular iron rear diff cover and have replacement U-joints and front brake components to add next weekend. Getting the stopping power ready for the larger tires.....this will be a fun truck soon enough. Not ridiculously big, but fun to play in the snow and on some trails (and farm land around my area).
Will finally put on my nodular iron rear diff cover and have replacement U-joints and front brake components to add next weekend. Getting the stopping power ready for the larger tires.....this will be a fun truck soon enough. Not ridiculously big, but fun to play in the snow and on some trails (and farm land around my area).
For comparison, my 33x10/50R15 BFG KMs (load range C) on Alcoas weigh in at 63lbs each corner.
Food for thought.
On an unrelated topic, what diff cover did you install?
Last edited by big-blue-oval; 11-01-2012 at 06:14 PM.
#7
I figure the added weight would be something to consider, but I'm replacing the brakes in all 4 corners and getting DOT 4 ATE fluid too. I'm thinking that should help a bit, but at least make it a hell of a lot better than stock and how spongy they are. Plus, with some new RS5000 Ranchos I'll put on in the Spring, that should help body weight travel and braking some. The truck sits 2-3 weeks at a time now already, so even if I burn a tank of fuel on a weekend fun trip, I figure that's not bad in the long run. May look for more power stuff later, but from what I've found, the 4.0 really doesn't react much to exhaust/intake add ons. I wish a twin screw supercharger would be developed (I saw that they used to have it and have some universal jobs) so a "plug and play" addition of 50-70 hp and about 100 tq would be available. But, until then......oh well.
I got the "Solid" cover last Xmas:
I got the "Solid" cover last Xmas:
#8
I'm reconsidering the rims......I have OEM 16x7 5 spokes now and if possible, I'd rather just keep them and paint them black (or leave them as is....who cares). I just don't know how safe it would be to run a 255/85/16 on a 16x7, or if a 16x8 should be purchased.
Does anyone have 255 (or wider) tires on 16x7 stock rims? Pictures?
Also, does anyone know the weight of the OEM 5 spokes:
Does anyone have 255 (or wider) tires on 16x7 stock rims? Pictures?
Also, does anyone know the weight of the OEM 5 spokes:
#9
#10
#11
I went to the BFGoodrich website and for the LT255/85R16/E Mud-Terrain KM2 tire (http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire-...techspec_table), they list the recommended rim width as being 6.5"/8" (Min/Max).
AKA - Your good.
AKA - Your good.
Last edited by logan03CO; 11-05-2012 at 07:16 PM.
#13
That is what the 255/85 are considered from what I read.....but maybe on OEM 16x7 rims they will bulge a little more than 16x8. We shall see in a few weeks :)
#14
Think I'm going to go with 235/85/16 Goodyear Duratracs. Better traction, less weight distributed across the tread (better traction in snow) and cheaper :)
I'm liking the pizza cutter look. From pictures I've seen the 235/85 looks very functional. I was trying to avoid a bubble look for how small the Ranger is, so 235/85 seems to keep it slim.
I'm liking the pizza cutter look. From pictures I've seen the 235/85 looks very functional. I was trying to avoid a bubble look for how small the Ranger is, so 235/85 seems to keep it slim.
#17
Well, good to know that the 235/85s are that good. I have read on MULTIPLE forums that it seems to be the perfect tire size to just dig down and grab traction. Looks like the deal is made......
235/85/16 Goodyear Duratrac tires are being ordering in 2 weeks :) Thanks everyone for all of your help (both in the thread and through PM).
235/85/16 Goodyear Duratrac tires are being ordering in 2 weeks :) Thanks everyone for all of your help (both in the thread and through PM).
#18
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