New to me 2019 ranger lariat. General questions after owning for 3 months.

[StevieQ102]

Hello everyone,

I picked up a 2019 Ranger Lariat in the fall of 2025. I've really been enjoying this little truck so far. This is my very first ranger, and truck in general. I'd like to get some longevity out of this thing and be able to take it on many winter and summer adventures. Looking for general info on a few different things, here goes.

1. I put some nice 18inch winter tires on since im up in the land of snow 8 months of the year. That being said I had to remove my front mudflaps since the tires were rubbing ( specifically on the screw heads) when I was steering. They still rub slightly but only when im fully turning the steering wheel, other than smaller tires is there a good solution for this? I am also looking for thinner mudflap solutions or reputable brands for that sort of thing, I would like to have something back on to prevent the slush and mud flinging down the running boards. She came with aftermarket fender flares that I quite enjoy the look of so I need a specific shape to tie into that extened width as well.

2. Speaking of the fender flares. Looking straight on from the front, the bumper is about 2 inches thinner than the fender flares and to me it looks a little silly, other than replacing the entire bumper, is there a solution for this?

3. The gaping hole in the front bumper... what are some good lightbar, or other solutions to fill that void?

4. I am thinking of getting some 17" summer tires and rims, any suggestions on good summer tires for light off roading and camping/ adventuring would be wonderful.

5. If anyone has any knowledge on general things to watch out for, or aftermarket parts that add to a better experience with these trucks, let me know!

I intend to use this as a daily but also an adventure rig, lots of hikes, camping, and trips for snowboarding. If you have any tips and things you'd like to share, please dont hesitate. Thanks!

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[LBT]

Hello everyone,

I picked up a 2019 Ranger Lariat in the fall of 2025. I've really been enjoying this little truck so far. This is my very first ranger, and truck in general. I'd like to get some longevity out of this thing and be able to take it on many winter and summer adventures. Looking for general info on a few different things, here goes.

1. I put some nice 18inch winter tires on since im up in the land of snow 8 months of the year. That being said I had to remove my front mudflaps since the tires were rubbing ( specifically on the screw heads) when I was steering. They still rub slightly but only when im fully turning the steering wheel, other than smaller tires is there a good solution for this? I am also looking for thinner mudflap solutions or reputable brands for that sort of thing, I would like to have something back on to prevent the slush and mud flinging down the running boards. She came with aftermarket fender flares that I quite enjoy the look of so I need a specific shape to tie into that extened width as well.

2. Speaking of the fender flares. Looking straight on from the front, the bumper is about 2 inches thinner than the fender flares and to me it looks a little silly, other than replacing the entire bumper, is there a solution for this?

3. The gaping hole in the front bumper... what are some good lightbar, or other solutions to fill that void?

4. I am thinking of getting some 17" summer tires and rims, any suggestions on good summer tires for light off roading and camping/ adventuring would be wonderful.

5. If anyone has any knowledge on general things to watch out for, or aftermarket parts that add to a better experience with these trucks, let me know!

I intend to use this as a daily but also an adventure rig, lots of hikes, camping, and trips for snowboarding. If you have any tips and things you'd like to share, please dont hesitate. Thanks!

BLUUUUUUUUE! ONE OF US!

I'm so relatively new to the Ranger club too so take everything I say with a grain of salt.

1. Best bet to resolve rubbing is probably some sort of level/lift. I’m not sure what you mean by 18 inch tires. Do you have the tire number? Mines 265/65/R18 for example. I think off-road tires are numbered differently though.

2. I think a good option is getting wheels with a smaller offset, so they stick out a bit further. Wheel spacers are an option but I’ve never had them and they seem to be generally frowned upon.

3. No idea

4. BFG KO3s might be a good bet. I had them on my F150 and like them. They’re a bit heavy though. I have Cooper Road+Trail on my Ranger now and I also like them but definitely less aggressive.

5. Everything I see is watch the transmission. I’m planing to add the MBS dipstick with a new pan, an early fluid change and a new transmission pan. Otherwise, suspension is mediocre and I’m also planing on changing that out. Defer to the experts here for everything else!

Sounds like we have similar plans! Can’t wait to see what you end up doing!

 

[RedlandRanger]

I can't help with some, but after owning mine 2019 for just shy of 7 years (April 14th will be 7 years), here are my suggestions:

3. There are a variety of solutions - putco (as well as a few others) make a mesh you can put in that area to close it up. I ended up putting in a front receiver hitch for my winch mount.
4. I'm on my second set of Toyo AT3s - I like them because they do well in the mud and snow, aren't loud on the road and are light enough that they don't hit MPG too much.
5. The transmission is probably the one thing to look out for. Get an MBS dipstick to make checking the fluid a LOT easier. I also installed a PPG pan with a drain plug. I've been doing fluid drain and fills about every 30k and adding some lubeguard platinum with it. It seems to be one thing you can do to prevent some of the issues (valve body issues) I am also tuned and I opted to not install the "soft shift" tune as I'm hoping that will be a bit easier on the trans. The downside is the shifts are a bit firmer, but that doesn't bother me.

I love this truck - it has done everything I've asked of it and more. (ask me about the time I pulled a full size RAM HD pickup up a hill in the snow because it was too heavy to make it on its own) I plan on driving it until the wheels fall off, or I find something that I just can't live without - but given this is paid for and has done a great job for me, I doubt that will happen anytime soon.

Welcome to the club!

 

[Racket]

Welcome to the forum! Spend enough time browsing and you'll develop a list of things to check or anticipate.

And what you can do yourself to update or upgrade. I believe real truck folks are resourceful on top of practical people. Those flares scream for different wheels, I guess the previous owner put the stockers back on when they sold it.

That blue sure is nice.

 

[Mighty Little Blue]

Seems to be Blue is the popular color for new Ranger owners here. That is a good thing (Hope is a good thing)!

 

[TxOTRRanger]

Nice truck. Welcome to the forum and the Ranger club lol. I have Bilstein 5100s and the fronts set at 1.8 to level it and 17x9 Fuel Shok wheels with the +20 offset on the stock size Goodyear Wrangler ATs.

Here is a picture of my truck. Maybe it will help you with your wheel and tire options.

 

[rang19ca]

Welcome to Lightning Blue. It is the fastest color. I have 265s on 17x8.5 wheels with 0 offset. A RoughCountry level lift with 2.5 and I did replace the front crash bars with Ready lift clearance bars. The rear bars are still OEM.

 

[JerryRange]

For the mudflaps rubbing issue, you might want to look into a small leveling kit which should give you a bit more clearance without going full lift.

 

[Nomad]

Stephen,

Please read below:

1. I put some nice 18inch winter tires on since I’m up in the land of snow 8 months of the year. That being said I had to remove my front mudflaps since the tires were rubbing ( specifically on the screw heads) when I was steering. They still rub slightly but only when I’m fully turning the steering wheel, other than smaller tires is there a good solution for this? I am also looking for thinner mudflap solutions or reputable brands for that sort of thing, I would like to have something back on to prevent the slush and mud flinging down the running boards. She came with aftermarket fender flares that I quite enjoy the look of so I need a specific shape to tie into that extended width as well.

- You're at a crossroads with two paths. The most budget-conscious approach is a leveling kit, which will give you the desired stance at a lower entry cost. However, for a true long-term investment in your vehicle's performance and ride quality, a full coilover set from a reputable brand like Eibach or Fox is the superior option. This not only achieves the level look (which also accounts for larger tires) but also significantly enhances the overall suspension dynamics for both on-road comfort and off-road capability.

2. Speaking of the fender flares. Looking straight on from the front, the bumper is about 2 inches thinner than the fender flares and to me it looks a little silly, other than replacing the entire bumper, is there a solution for this?

- I suggest exploring the OEM Ford Ranger Tremor fender flares. They offer a "clean" factory-plus appearance that is less aggressive than many aftermarket options, providing a perfect compromise that adds presence without appearing overwrought. This could be an ideal solution to achieve the desired aesthetic without a full bumper replacement and less costly than an aftermarket bumper.

3. The gaping hole in the front bumper... what are some good lightbar, or other solutions to fill that void?

- If you are talking about the space between the bumper and the lower valance, might I suggest a lower bumper grille, which is an excellent solution. It provides a finished, integrated look while ensuring that crucial airflow to the radiator and intercooler is not compromised. If, however, your primary need is for auxiliary lighting, then a light bar or pod setup would take precedence in that space.

4. I am thinking of getting some 17" summer tires and rims, any suggestions on good summer tires for light off roading and camping/ adventuring would be wonderful.

- A highly effective and lightweight wheel and tire combination would be the Toyo Open Country AT3 in a 265/70R17 size, mounted on the OEM Ford Ranger Tremor 17x8 wheels (I have this exact setup with a 1" level). This specific setup is advantageous because it provides a slightly wider and more aggressive stance without the need for wheel spacers, all while keeping the unsprung weight to a minimum for better performance and handling.

5. If anyone has any knowledge on general things to watch out for, or aftermarket parts that add to a better experience with these trucks, let me know!

- When evaluating thr Ranger, a few widely-documented issues come to mind. The most significant items to be aware of include potential for driveshaft vibrations, instances of engine oil dilution, transmission failures, and some reported inconsistencies with the HVAC system.

I intend to use this as a daily but also an adventure rig, lots of hikes, camping, and trips for snowboarding. If you have any tips and things you'd like to share, please don’t hesitate. Thanks!

- For a truly memorable expedition that would challenge both you and your vehicle's capabilities, consider an overland journey south to Yellowstone National Park. Such a trip offers an incredible blend of hiking, camping, and even snowboarding, making it an epic adventure that would put your rig to the ultimate test in the best way possible.

NOMAD

 

[mtsoxfan]

I own a 2019 Lariat, 17", never had rubbing on mudflaps. Same for the brief time I ran 18". I do have a level kit on, just for looks. Mudflaps will NOT keep snow from accumulating on running boards, or keep sides clean. They help, but don't expect miracles. My running boards have been painted once, due to gravel etc. hitting them. At times, when the gravel was flung, the running boards sounded like a xylophone. Kinda enjoyed the sound, not the damage.

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