i just put a 6 inch suspension lift in my ranger and i want to know some opions on how big of tires i should go?? it has 4:11 gears, stock 6cyl, and a stock 5spd. i have a set of 35 inch tires that i am thinkin of running but i sure want some opions from some people that have already learned their lessons about tires. help me out please
mike  

Though some seem to think that 4.10 gears are the cats meow they are not for 35 inch tires by a long shot. There is no perfect axle ratio for all tire sizes. Realistically you are looking at around 4.88's if you what it to be run properly and get out of its own way with 35's. It will be a slug most of the time with 4.10's and 35's. It is not just tires size as it is also the extra drag from them too to overcome.  

35's and 4.10's might be fine if you've got a strong V8 and the right transmission gearing, but with a 6 banger you're going to have a hardtime getting out of your own ay.  

Dirty_Dog:
35's and 4.10's might be fine if you've got a strong V8 and the right transmission gearing, but with a 6 banger you're going to have a hardtime getting out of your own ay.

A 4.10 with a 35's and a V8 would be "fine" only if you have low overall performance expectations and plan little useful usage of OD too. Simple formula if you want good performance and a usable OD. Take tires size and divide by axle ratio and you want 7.5 or LESS for trucks with small block gas motors. (basically trucks that came with them because of their size and weight, with a 6cyl you really need to be at about 7.0 and below) At 8.0 and above it will develop sluggishness have limited usage of OD and at 9 and above OD will be kinda worthless and 4x4 will be pretty slug like. A 4.10 with 35's is 8.5 which is getting well into sluggish bracket with limited OD effectiveness.  

There is more to being a slug than gears. I said a STRONG V8. Surely you're not so dense that you cannot understand that a 200HP motor needs more gear than one making 400HP?  

u guys always have some interseting thread to read.    

Dirty_Dog:
There is more to being a slug than gears. I said a STRONG V8. Surely you're not so dense that you cannot understand that a 200HP motor needs more gear than one making 400HP?

Yes, you surely do not understand the relationship between torque, RPM and HP. HP is simply Torque x RPM divided by 5252. My formula of dividing tire size by axle ratio is based on engine RPM and usable HP in top gear not some "paper" HP rating at max RPM. People like you see 300 HP or 400 HP and think great I can run tall gears but unless you have a big block with a LOT of torque at lower RPMs or a turbocharged diesel it is going to be a slug in top gears. See I like my 4x4's to pull well in OD and rarely have to downshift even on steep highway grades with A/C on but it seems that you like to thrash your gear box a lot which you will have to with a 400 HP SB and 4.10 gears and 35's. BTW, a 300 HP BB would smoke your 400HP SB with 4.10 gears and 35's in performance in tops gears because it has more USABLE HP at lower RPM's You would understand this and not try to pick a fight if you used your brain more than your ego at times. BTW, I consider a 4.10 with 30's or so the bare minimum axle ratio for a heavy 4x4 that is powered by a SB and has OD. Anything much taller in effective gear ratio has no parking place in my driveway. I look at OD as another gear to use 100% of the time on road not just when the wind and grade is right.  

Back from rehab for your LSD addiction?
I actually know exactly what the power band is for my engines. And since I'm a big fan of stoker motors, I'm not worried about making enough torque down low. You do know that strokers make TONS of low end torque, don't you?
I know, it's not gears and a limited slip, but it works none the less.