Calling all air pressure experts
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: VA/USA
Calling all air pressure experts
I understand 35 psi in my rear (stock P235x75 15) tires - but why might Ford specify only 30 psi in the front of my `99 Ranger (4x4)? Question prolly asked and answered many times - if so forgive me - I looked around in here a while and didn't see anything. Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
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Calling all air pressure experts
A tire inflated more can carry more weight, it's as simple as that. The front axle of your truck is carrying about as much as it ever will sitting empty. There is not that much for it to carry around besides the front half of the truck and some of the passenger weight. Any cargo you put in the bed is gonna be almost entirely on the rear axle, so the front end doesn't need to hold up very much, and the tires do not need as much air in them to do it.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: VA/USA
Calling all air pressure experts
Appreciate the rapid response - I guess what I was gettin' at was I'd prefer to run at least 32 or 33 psi up front (assuming 90% of my driving is 2WD) - and on the hi-way 35 psi, for the fuel savings - I keep the rears at 35 all the time (unless I'm needin' to do a lil' "swampin'" or other tricky off-roadin') - any harm (shocks, other front-end parts, etc.) to runnin' the fronts at a higher than OEM recommendation? Thanks again . . .
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Calling all air pressure experts
I run even pressure all the way around. 30 psi unloaded, and 45-50 psi loaded (yes they max at 50psi). Keep weight transfer in cornering, and braking in mind.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.
That's it for mods now, saving for a Stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.That's it for mods now, saving for a Stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: VA/USA
Calling all air pressure experts
Appreciate it - just tryin' to sqeeeeeeze every drop of fuel mileage I can, am currently in very tight financial situation. Of course, then there may be aerodynamics to consider, lower air in front and no tail-gate (do have a 'Beverly-Hill-billy' piece of plywood angled in, set up to act as "gate" and spoiler - I know, I laugh myself - ) man I think I'm just brain-screwin' myself to death. You don't think max pressures in the front end of a vehicle put more stress on front end parts? Just askin' . . . 
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 2
From: Auburn,Al
Calling all air pressure experts
i would say less, tie rods and stuff dont have to work as hard cause the tire has a smaller contact patch
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 172
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Calling all air pressure experts
If all you want to do is jack the pressure up to 35, go for it! The only thing it will hurt is to make the middle of your tread wear out quicker, doubt you will even notice the difference in tread across the tire until the tire is almost wore out. Any difference in wear and tear in the truck by making the tire stiffer is negligible. Highway use is not that hard on suspension anyways, it's the off-roading and driving around construction sites and whatnot that beat it up and make it wear out.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: VA/USA
Calling all air pressure experts
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Sep-02 AT 08:11 AM (EST)]Good point - never thought about that - I guess I was thinking about the occassional (unavoidable) pot-hole or the sometimes lettin' the right wheels get off the road (on to the shoulder, unavoidable in the mountains where I live) or "sneakin'" on to the shoulder to get around somebody makin' a left turn. I'm probably 'over-ANALyzing' as usual - thanks for the reply. PS I'm gonna GO for higher air pressures, not just cause I'm cheap (poor!), but also 'cause every PENNY less I spend on fuel is a penny less that goes to EXTREMIST-DEVIL'S IN THE MIDDDLE-EAST !!! 
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Calling all air pressure experts
The best thing you can do, is run the air pressure that will evenly wear your tire. If you pump them up to max psi all the time, it'll wear the middle of the tire more noticeable than you think. When I had mine at 50psi, (I have BFG muds) the outter 1/2 inch of the coggs barely touched. The best thing you can do is take a piece of chalk, and make a line across the tire width about 2" thick. Drive in a straight line about 20 feet, and look at the chalk line. You want that line to be evenly touched. If it's underinflated, it will wear off the chalk more on the outside. Overinflated, more on the middle. You want that as even as possible. The extra MPG you see from a few PSI is not much. So it's not worth wearing your tires out prematurely in the middle.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
That's it for mods now, saving for a Stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.That's it for mods now, saving for a Stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: VA/USA
Calling all air pressure experts
Appreciate the chalk-tip, I'll try it, and I'll keep, not 'maxed' w\ air, just on the upper side of the range - still not sure though why several 'door-jamb' labels I've seen lately call for pressures of 28 - 30 lbs for front tires, again my Ranger says 30 front -35 rear.(Mom's Subaru calls for 29 front and 26 (?!?) rear, unless loaded - then 36 rear). Suppose manufacturers are a bit torn between a comfortable ride, safety and Federal fuel economy standards. I guess like most folks I'm looking for a good compromise between wear, mpg and comfortable (soft) ride - and of course good handling. Gonna' experiment a little, say maybe 32 up front and 34 in the rear (for general hi-way driving) I know I'll have to adjust up or down depending on load, and driving conditions - thanks again . . . 
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Calling all air pressure experts
Those extra few PSIs are not going to improve your gas mileage noticably, maybe .000000001 mpg, you are much better off with suggestions above.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
That's it for mods now, saving for a Stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.That's it for mods now, saving for a Stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: VA/USA
Calling all air pressure experts
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Sep-02 AT 11:38 PM (EST)]Damn - you responded before I was done "rating" you - WHICH "suggestions above" are you referring to, the 'chalk - tip'? 
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Calling all air pressure experts
Yes, keep the tires at an air pressure that wears the tires evenly. Any fuel cost you see from high PSI, will be deleted by tires that wear out faster.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
That's it for mods now, saving for a Stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.That's it for mods now, saving for a Stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
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