2024 XLT FX4 Ranger - New Method 703 17x8.5 +35 offset w/BFGoodrich KO3 285/70R17 tires

[CactusCoolerXLT]

Here’s the current state of my Ranger XLT with FX4 package:

Method 703 17x8.5 +35 offset Bronco Ford Performance Wheels (ordered through dealership)(black lug nuts)

BFGoodrich KO3 285/70r17 tires

Rallyflapz extended arch mudflaps (ordered these from the UK and had to cut them down a bit as they were just too wide for the truck, and also had to fabricate a bit of a bracket for the fronts, just bent one of the arms of an L-shaped bracket and bolted it down under the crash bar bolts *pictures)

Bilstein 5100 suspension +2” lift in the front; fronts coilovers are actually made for the Bronco and fit great, the rear shock absorbers are made for the 5G Ranger.

Gas mileage has dropped from around 23 mpg to about 20-21 mpg for mixed highway, city driving.

*FORScan has released update 2.3.61 which has allowed me to write changes to the BdyCM. The ideal tire circumference for this tire size is 2612mm, but I’ve seen that you want to account for some squish in the tire to get the speedometer just right. The posts I saw said to multiply the ideal circumference by 0.96 to get the ‘real world’ circumference which came out to 2507mm. I entered 2500mm (cuz I like the round number better) for the new circumference and my speedometer is reading 75mph at 75mph in the OnX GPS app, pretty much perfect!

Here’s the current state of my Ranger XLT with FX4 package:

Method 703 17x8.5 +35 offset Bronco Ford Performance Wheels (ordered through dealership)(black lug nuts)

BFGoodrich KO3 285/70r17 tires

Rallyflapz extended arch mudflaps (ordered these from the UK and had to cut them down a bit as they were just too wide for the truck, and also had to fabricate a bit of a bracket for the fronts, just bent one of the arms of an L-shaped bracket and bolted it down under the crash bar bolts *pictures)

Bilstein 5100 suspension +2” lift in the front; fronts coilovers are actually made for the Bronco and fit great, the rear shock absorbers are made for the 5G Ranger.

Gas mileage has dropped from around 23 mpg to about 20-21 mpg for mixed highway, city driving.

*FORScan has released update 2.3.61 which has allowed me to write changes to the BdyCM. The ideal tire circumference for this tire size is 2612mm, but I’ve seen that you want to account for some squish in the tire to get the speedometer just right. The posts I saw said to multiply the ideal circumference by 0.96 to get the ‘real world’ circumference which came out to 2507mm. I entered 2500mm (cuz I like the round number better) for the new circumference and my speedometer is reading 75mph at 75mph in the OnX GPS app, pretty much perfect!

Looks great!! Have a XLT same color and want to do a 2” lift in the front. Can you send a link of the Bilsteins you used so I know which exactly worked out for you?

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[Clay6GRanger]

Looks great!! Have a XLT same color and want to do a 2” lift in the front. Can you send a link of the Bilsteins you used so I know which exactly worked out for you?

Sure thing: Bilstein 5100 Front Coilovers, the rear shocks are from the previous generation ranger! I put the circlips on the lowest position on the fronts and transferred my OEM springs and top hats over.

I bought my stuff through Rockauto since they had pretty good prices. For the fronts I searched a 2023 4-door bronco with the 2.3L cuz the weight is very similar to our rangers.

My long term plan is to get a 6112/5160 set when Bilstein releases a kit made for the 6G ranger and maybe get a multi-leaf pack for the rear

 

[jeffers]

Sure thing: Bilstein 5100 Front Coilovers, the rear shocks are from the previous generation ranger! I put the circlips on the lowest position on the fronts and transferred my OEM springs and top hats over.

I bought my stuff through Rockauto since they had pretty good prices. For the fronts I searched a 2023 4-door bronco with the 2.3L cuz the weight is very similar to our rangers.

My long term plan is to get a 6112/5160 set when Bilstein releases a kit made for the 6G ranger and maybe get a multi-leaf pack for the rear

Have you happened to notice how much extra fender clearance you have with the wheels turned? You're at 32.8X11.5, I'm wanting to verify that a 33.2"X11" tire would fit. Its not a huge difference, but you never know. To me it looks like there's significantly more than an inch of extra space, but pushing the weel further out and going with a wider tire will also have an effect.

 

[Clay6GRanger]

Have you happened to notice how much extra fender clearance you have with the wheels turned? You're at 32.8X11.5, I'm wanting to verify that a 33.2"X11" tire would fit. Its not a huge difference, but you never know. To me it looks like there's significantly more than an inch of extra space, but pushing the weel further out and going with a wider tire will also have an effect.

The 285/70s certainly take up a bit of room, but even out on the trail this last weekend I did not run into any clearance issues. I imagine the 33.2’s would be fine. You’ve got probably another 1/2” by removing some wheel well liner before you’d be touching the crash bars anyway! Here’s some pics:

 

[jeffers]

Cool thanks

 

[Freedom Beast]

Here’s the current state of my Ranger XLT with FX4 package:

Method 703 17x8.5 +35 offset Bronco Ford Performance Wheels (ordered through dealership)(black lug nuts)

BFGoodrich KO3 285/70r17 tires

Rallyflapz extended arch mudflaps (ordered these from the UK and had to cut them down a bit as they were just too wide for the truck, and also had to fabricate a bit of a bracket for the fronts, just bent one of the arms of an L-shaped bracket and bolted it down under the crash bar bolts *pictures)

Bilstein 5100 suspension +2” lift in the front; fronts coilovers are actually made for the Bronco and fit great, the rear shock absorbers are made for the 5G Ranger.

Gas mileage has dropped from around 23 mpg to about 20-21 mpg for mixed highway, city driving.

*FORScan has released update 2.3.61 which has allowed me to write changes to the BdyCM. The ideal tire circumference for this tire size is 2612mm, but I’ve seen that you want to account for some squish in the tire to get the speedometer just right. The posts I saw said to multiply the ideal circumference by 0.96 to get the ‘real world’ circumference which came out to 2507mm. I entered 2500mm (cuz I like the round number better) for the new circumference and my speedometer is reading 75mph at 75mph in the OnX GPS app, pretty much perfect!

Do you know what your "rake" was before the install? I have the exact same truck and my factory rake is at 2.5". I'm thinking on going the Fox 2.0 coilover route for the 2" lift. That should hopefully leave me a half inch rake for loads (mostly camping/kayak stuff). Love the bronze with the cactus gray. With those tires, it appears you didn't have to do anything with the intrusion bars....which is great. Awesome looking ride.

 

[Clay6GRanger]

Do you know what your "rake" was before the install? I have the exact same truck and my factory rake is at 2.5". I'm thinking on going the Fox 2.0 coilover route for the 2" lift. That should hopefully leave me a half inch rake for loads (mostly camping/kayak stuff). Love the bronze with the cactus gray. With those tires, it appears you didn't have to do anything with the intrusion bars....which is great. Awesome looking ride.

It’s about 3/4” higher in the back. It’s pretty hard to notice, I think with any substantial weight in the back it would look a bit squatted! My plan is to buy a bilstein 6112/5160 when they make one specifically for the truck, and a multi leaf pack for the rear

 

[Freedom Beast]

It’s about 3/4” higher in the back. It’s pretty hard to notice, I think with any substantial weight in the back it would look a bit squatted! My plan is to buy a bilstein 6112/5160 when they make one specifically for the truck, and a multi leaf pack for the rear

One more quick question, love the bronze wheel, but I'm possibly looking at the Method Double Black which only comes in a +25 offset. Do you think there is much difference between the +25 and +35? I know there would be some more "poke", but didn't know if with that tire size if it would cause any issues - rubbing, suspension, etc. Still trying to picture all this offset stuff. Thanks again!

 

[Clay6GRanger]

One more quick question, love the bronze wheel, but I'm possibly looking at the Method Double Black which only comes in a +25 offset. Do you think there is much difference between the +25 and +35? I know there would be some more "poke", but didn't know if with that tire size if it would cause any issues - rubbing, suspension, etc. Still trying to picture all this offset stuff. Thanks again!

Offset is just a measurement in millimeters, so +25 offset is 10mm (little less than half an inch) further from the centerline of the truck than my wheels. This increases the track width of the truck obviously, but since the extra width was gained by pushing the rim of the wheel further out from the hub you’ve gained scrub radius. Scrub radius is how close the center of the tire contact patch is to the point on the ground where the King Pin angle intersects the ground. Visualize the wheel pivoting (good) around a point on the ground versus swinging in an arc (bad) as you turn the steering wheel.

Lots of scrub radius is bad for handling. so generally want to stay as close as you can to the OEM offset spec. +55 is OEM offset, so +25 would be a gain of 30mm (1.18 in.) in scrub radius, but likely would be tough to notice much difference in steering. +0 or negative offset you would likely notice a difference in vehicle handling.

I have the slightest bit of rubbing at full steering lock in reverse with the +35, so that would also be more rubbing with the +25. Nothing some trimming can’t fix tho!

 

[Freedom Beast]

Offset is just a measurement in millimeters, so +25 offset is 10mm (little less than half an inch) further from the centerline of the truck than my wheels. This increases the track width of the truck obviously, but since the extra width was gained by pushing the rim of the wheel further out from the hub you’ve gained scrub radius. Scrub radius is how close the center of the tire contact patch is to the point on the ground where the King Pin angle intersects the ground. Visualize the wheel pivoting (good) around a point on the ground versus swinging in an arc (bad) as you turn the steering wheel.

Lots of scrub radius is bad for handling. so generally want to stay as close as you can to the OEM offset spec. +55 is OEM offset, so +25 would be a gain of 30mm (1.18 in.), but likely would be tough to notice much difference in steering. +0 or negative offset you would likely notice a difference in vehicle handling.

I have the slightest bit of rubbing at full steering lock in reverse with the +35, so that would also be more rubbing with the +25. Nothing some trimming can’t fix tho!

Thanks! Your setup is exactly what I'm looking for. However, I do like those Method Double Black wheels. I'm basically trying to avoid any Intrusion (crash) bar work. Not sure I want to cut those things. Also, I'm sure it voids some kind of warranty then there is insurance if something were to happen - "Well, you replaced/removed/cut your crash bars". Lol. Thanks again for the explanation.

 

[Clay6GRanger]

Thanks! Your setup is exactly what I'm looking for. However, I do like those Method Double Black wheels. I'm basically trying to avoid any Intrusion (crash) bar work. Not sure I want to cut those things. Also, I'm sure it voids some kind of warranty then there is insurance if something were to happen - "Well, you replaced/removed/cut your crash bars". Lol. Thanks again for the explanation.

I think you would clear the crash bar still, it would just be some wheel well liner getting scuffed.

I don't know what insurance would say, but that sounds like something they would do haha. Safety wise, I wouldn't have problem removing the bars since the ROW rangers don't have them to begin with from what I've seen and neither do the Sasquatch Broncos.

 

[NW 150]

How do you like the billsteins? Do you have a link for them?

 

[Clay6GRanger]

How do you like the billsteins? Do you have a link for them?

Here’s the link for the Fronts. The rears are just from the previous gen ranger.

I like them, they’re definitely an upgrade over the stock FX4, but a bit stiffer. They settle out a lot faster over rough terrain and the truck feels more stable

 

[Elgin_Ranger]

Nice truck and combo! Question. Are you using 5100 shocks only from Bronco 4 doors? Any other suspension components did you swap? Like swaybar links? What's your wheel offset? Thank you.

 

[NW 150]

Here’s the link for the fronts. The rears are just from the previous gen ranger.

I like them, they’re definitely an upgrade over the stock FX4, but a bit stiffer. They settle out a lot faster over rough terrain and the truck feels more stable

Is it just a coil spring or a whole strut setup? It's bringing up just a coil spring in the link.

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