lazynorse
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2022
- Threads
- 41
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- 315
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- Location
- Washington State
- Vehicle(s)
- Ford Ranger Crew Cab XLT FX4
- Occupation
- Public Health
- Thread starter
- #1
I’ve already had shorter shakedown trips, here’s some findings after 9 days camping and 4x4ing in remote SE Oregon/SW Idaho canyon country.
Ranger CrewCab XLT FX4
32” C Load Firestone XT tires (255/75/17).
Stock FX4 suspension, no lift.
We logged about 100 miles of true, 4x4 high clearance required trails. Trail type was large, loose, often sharp rocks (1’+ high) and large exposed bedrock amongst in silty soils, steep and very uneven grades. 4-low engaged multiple times uphill and down. 2 mph was a common speed to pick way through worst obstacles. Aired down to 18 psi.
With careful touch of the gas pedal, I lost traction maybe twice the whole trip. Never engaged rear locker. Never touched skid plate or undercarriage.
Findings. Firestone XT is ultra capable and tough. No signs of wear. I don’t need a lift, and I was in some of the nastier known trails in the Owyhees. FX4 suspension fine by me.
With a Snugtop canopy fairly filled with 9 days of camping gear (Iceo fridge, Jackery, stack of Milwaukee Packout drawers, recovery gear, dry food storage, duffels, large Gazelle tent), Yakima Skybox 12 on my Snugtop rails, I got up to 20 mpg at fast freeway speeds but as low as 14 poking around 4x4 trails. I believe those are 1 mph low given my 1.5” increase in tire size from stock (30.5 to 32”).
Drive to and from was over 9 hours each way. Drove 6 hours nearly every day. Was comfortable the whole time.
With upgraded C load AT tires, the truck is reliable to live off grid, through 4x4 trails for over a week with no further running gear mods other than tires. I would not have put the stock Hankooks through it.
Ranger CrewCab XLT FX4
32” C Load Firestone XT tires (255/75/17).
Stock FX4 suspension, no lift.
We logged about 100 miles of true, 4x4 high clearance required trails. Trail type was large, loose, often sharp rocks (1’+ high) and large exposed bedrock amongst in silty soils, steep and very uneven grades. 4-low engaged multiple times uphill and down. 2 mph was a common speed to pick way through worst obstacles. Aired down to 18 psi.
With careful touch of the gas pedal, I lost traction maybe twice the whole trip. Never engaged rear locker. Never touched skid plate or undercarriage.
Findings. Firestone XT is ultra capable and tough. No signs of wear. I don’t need a lift, and I was in some of the nastier known trails in the Owyhees. FX4 suspension fine by me.
With a Snugtop canopy fairly filled with 9 days of camping gear (Iceo fridge, Jackery, stack of Milwaukee Packout drawers, recovery gear, dry food storage, duffels, large Gazelle tent), Yakima Skybox 12 on my Snugtop rails, I got up to 20 mpg at fast freeway speeds but as low as 14 poking around 4x4 trails. I believe those are 1 mph low given my 1.5” increase in tire size from stock (30.5 to 32”).
Drive to and from was over 9 hours each way. Drove 6 hours nearly every day. Was comfortable the whole time.
With upgraded C load AT tires, the truck is reliable to live off grid, through 4x4 trails for over a week with no further running gear mods other than tires. I would not have put the stock Hankooks through it.
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