Tire Replacement Question
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New User
Joined: Oct 2003
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Tire Replacement Question
Hi Guys,
I have a 2000 Ranger 4x4 off road 4.0 v6. w/ 28k
I do a lot of highway driving, and would like to get a smoother ride and better gas miles without giving up the traction that I need in the winter months.
Any suggestions??
I have a 2000 Ranger 4x4 off road 4.0 v6. w/ 28k
I do a lot of highway driving, and would like to get a smoother ride and better gas miles without giving up the traction that I need in the winter months.
Any suggestions??
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 665
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From: Kingsland, GA
If you don't do any serious off-roading, a set of all season light truck tires will do just fine, and still work well on the highway. Good thing is, with all the foo-foo "I'm not gonna get my truck dirty by taking it off-road" drivers out there, all-season light truck tires are easy to get ahold of, at a decent price. If you do go off roading a bit, then a set of street biased all terrain tires should do the trick, but they won't ride as nice as the all seasons. Personally, I don't care how it rides on the highway, it's whether it can pull me out of a tight spot off-road 30 miles from anywhere that I count on...
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 681
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From: Springfield, IL USA
Smoker 3725,
I had a similar question a couple of weeks ago and didn't get much response. However I did some research and here is what I found. I drive a "99 Ranger 2wd 4.0L about 100 miles daily on road and wanted a quiet, smooth ride but good wet weather traction. I ended up buying Firestone Destination LEs. They were reasonably priced ($68.00 per for 225x70R15s) and now with about 1000 miles on them I have found them quiet, and providing a smoother ride than my old tires. I have also found that they give very good traction in rain. I haven't had the opportunity to try them in snow yet. So far I am satisfied with my purchase.
I had a similar question a couple of weeks ago and didn't get much response. However I did some research and here is what I found. I drive a "99 Ranger 2wd 4.0L about 100 miles daily on road and wanted a quiet, smooth ride but good wet weather traction. I ended up buying Firestone Destination LEs. They were reasonably priced ($68.00 per for 225x70R15s) and now with about 1000 miles on them I have found them quiet, and providing a smoother ride than my old tires. I have also found that they give very good traction in rain. I haven't had the opportunity to try them in snow yet. So far I am satisfied with my purchase.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Something else to consider...
While researching new tire for my 91 4x4, I found that you don't need tire with the prefix LT (light truck), but rather P (passenger). It has to do with weight rating of the tire. Basically, full size trucks and SUV take light truck tires, a Ranger without the hauling capacity doesn't need them. You get the same size tire, same tread, and there less expensive.
As for tire brands, I went with the Wal-Mart Liberators. From what I could gather they're made by BFG for Wal-Mart. The ride is pretty good, too.
Vince
While researching new tire for my 91 4x4, I found that you don't need tire with the prefix LT (light truck), but rather P (passenger). It has to do with weight rating of the tire. Basically, full size trucks and SUV take light truck tires, a Ranger without the hauling capacity doesn't need them. You get the same size tire, same tread, and there less expensive.
As for tire brands, I went with the Wal-Mart Liberators. From what I could gather they're made by BFG for Wal-Mart. The ride is pretty good, too.
Vince
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: MADISON
I recently put a set of GoodYear 265 -70-16 LT's on my '99 Ranger 4x4. They have an AT tread and they noticably improved the ride and handling over the stock 245's. Don't buy cheap tires. These ran $95 each mounted and balanced at local discount store but it was worth it. The tires are what connect your vehicle to the road!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Central KY
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New User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: MADISON
I have the DESTINATION LE's, a fairly new design-and I meant Firestone, not Goodyear (sorry for the error). They do not rub at all and they are the best truck tires I've owned, and I've owned a lot of them. Going with the larger size adds air volume and does improve the ride. The additional sidewall strength of the LT tires improves the handling. The dealer told me he's sold a number of them to other Ranger owners who wanted an upgrade. The fact is, most stock tires on any new vehicle are El Cheapos unless you're buying a luxury rig.
As soon as you have them installed, get your front end aligned. Also consider aftermarket heavy duty shocks to complete your ride upgrade. You should be able to get a quality set installed for around $300 if you do some price checking.
As soon as you have them installed, get your front end aligned. Also consider aftermarket heavy duty shocks to complete your ride upgrade. You should be able to get a quality set installed for around $300 if you do some price checking.
Last edited by Bloss Man; Dec 1, 2003 at 05:20 AM.
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
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Tires and wheels and ride
I just installed Bilsteins on my 99 XLT 4X2 4dr and they do indeed improve the ride. I live in central NH and need good snow performance. After checking things out I opted for the two-sets-of-wheels solution. The stock 15 inch wheels got Bridgestone Winter Duelers and the Ronal R36 16 inch wheels got G.Y. Eagle LS. I agree with most of the above advice, especially the comments about cheap tires. If you drive on a highway ever, you need first rate tires, regardless of the season.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 681
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From: Springfield, IL USA
Tirerack sells Firestone Destination LE's (225x70R15) for $63.00 each. Of course you have shipping and installation. I bought a set for my Ranger locally and paid $71.00 each plus tax and installation. My total bill including tax, discard charge for the old tires, mounting, balancing, new stems, road hazard and a front end alignment was $460.00
I have put 2000 miles on the tire now and am very pleased with the ride, noise level, and wet traction (not snow to test snow traction yet).
I have put 2000 miles on the tire now and am very pleased with the ride, noise level, and wet traction (not snow to test snow traction yet).
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