205/75R15 on 15x7 rims - will it work?

[Sevensecondsuv]

So my ranger is in desparate need of new tires. The ranger currently has 14x6rims with 215/70R14 tires on them. The only thing is that I have a nice 3.73 31-spline 8.8 with a tight trac-loc sitting in my garage as well. The 14" ranger wheels do not fit on the 8.8 due to the center hole being too small. So I'm planning on getting a set of 15" tires installed on a really nice set of 15x7 jeep rims I have in my garage that will fit the 8.8, finally allowing me to install the 8.8 on the ranger.

I want to go with 205/75R15 tires but it seems like they might be a little too narrow for 7" wide rims. However, all the tire manufacturers list approved rim widths of 5-7" for that size tire. Has anyone tried this combo? How did they work and look?

[JoshT]

First I'd ask myself what tires I like. After I did that I'd look to see what sizes are available in a 15" rim. Finally I'd take those to the Miata.net Tire Size Calculator (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html) and use it to compare them to your current tire size, that'll give you a rough idea of the size you would like will look like.

Personally I would like a little wider, not much just a little. If you're wanting stock size those would be about right if you can find them in that size, though from what I can tell they are still a little bigger than stock. Near as I can see the best match to stock size would be a 215/65R15. I can't tell you if they will fit a 7" that varies on a per brand basis, I can tell you that it would be in the sweet spot for a BFG Radial T/A (that's the style I'm going to put on mine eventually).

[Sevensecondsuv]

Yeah, I know the overall diameter. It's just what I want with 3.73 gears. With my new head on the engine (see sig.) the cam will give highest efficiency at a cruise RPM of 2600-3200. So with the M5OD's overdrive ratio and 3.73 gears, a 27" diameter tire works out perfect.

I just want to keep them as thin a possible for gas mileage reasons. 215/70R15 is my other option as it is nearly the same diameter.

Just wondering if anyone has actually run this setup and how did it work.

[martin]

That's the stock combination for an 89 waggoneer. It works ok on them so it should work on a Ford.

[almostclueless]

205's are pizza cutters......yes, they'll fit

[Sevensecondsuv]

205's are pizza cutters...

which is why i want that size ;)

[GIJoe4500]

I use to have 235/75r15s on my stock 1988 2wd ranger. They rubbed just a little bit, but wasn't bad at all.

[GIJoe4500]

oh, and I have a 2.0L and 3.73s. It ran up and down the highway just fine.

[Mac]

I myself would go with the 215/70's. I'd be more concerned about getting the right back-spacing to make sure everything does clear.
Dave - Rockford West, class of '64' Makes me an old fart.