1987 4x2 Ranger Tires What Are My Options, Move Up to 15" wheels?

[wildbill23c]

So trying to figure out tire options on the Ranger I just picked up right now it has 225/70-R14's on it, originally it would have had 195/75-R14's. So since the factory sizes aren't available what are the general recommendations. I have no problem moving up to 15 inch wheels if I have to and looks to be about the best option. After that though would I be able to fit 235/75-R15's on a 4x2 Ranger? I know that's about the max I would be able to put on my 88 4x4 Bronco 2, but is there an issue going with that size on a 4x2 Ranger?

The Ranger being 2WD really don't need a very aggressive tire of course but needing guidance on whether the 235/75-R15's would fit.

 

[Dirtman]

225/70/15 would probably be a better fit. I'm fairly sure 235/75/15 would fit just fine, might look a little "stuffed" in there though.

 

[wildbill23c]

225/70/15 would probably be a better fit. I'm fairly sure 235/75/15 would fit just fine, might look a little "stuffed" in there though.

That's the issue with the current 225/70-14's on it now LOL, and with relatively no 14" tire options available I think 15's would be best.

I think the 225/70/15's would be the route I'd go. Thanks.

I'll have to pickup a set of 15" wheels, I assume the bolt pattern would be the same if I pull wheels from another Ranger or Bronco 2, maybe an Explorer would work as well?

 

[racsan]

235/75/15s were a little big on my 92 2wd, fronts would rub on the anti-sway bar and radius rods at full turn (jeep wrangler steel rims) I ended up with 215/75/15s but 225/70/15s would be a better size (more tires available in this size) the 93 & up can do 235’s with no problem, just may need a lower rear gear, my 94 came with 3.45’s and I swapped axles out to get a 4.10 ratio. I normally run 225/70’s on it, have the 2.3 and a manual transmission. works well.
yes the wheels from a B2 or explorer would work.

 

[Dirtman]

The bolt patterns never changed but back spacing and hub bore did throughout the years. Check the tech section, I believe there is list of what wheels will fit what.

Rascan brings up a good point, those early tiny tired 2wd trucks sometimes had HORRIBLE gear ratios. 3.08 on some of them so dont be surprised if new gears are in your future.

 

[wildbill23c]

The bolt patterns never changed but back spacing and hub bore did throughout the years. Check the tech section, I believe there is list of what wheels will fit what.

Rascan brings up a good point, those early tiny tired 2wd trucks sometimes had HORRIBLE gear ratios. 3.08 on some of them so dont be surprised if new gears are in your future.

My Ranger has 3.73's. Its got plenty of power, more so than the new engine in my 88 Bronco 2...maybe due to the Ranger being lighter weight.

Going off the TRS wheels guide it may be a pain to try and get a set of 15" wheels that fit due to backspacing issues. I was going to try pulling a wheel off my Bronco 2 and see if it will fit without any rubbing and go from there. But I seem to recall the Rangers and Bronco 2's sharing the same wheels so maybe if I stick to pulling wheels from another Ranger or Bronco 2 from the 80's to early 90's I may get lucky.

Someone put 225/70-R14's on it and they fill the wheel wells pretty good, but seem to have plenty of clearance and plenty of tread, probably new or almost new tires so I should be good for a few years but don't want to wait till the last second when I really need tires to try and scrounge up a set of wheels.

 

[Dirtman]

You should be good to go then.

 

[wildbill23c]

235/75/15s were a little big on my 92 2wd, fronts would rub on the anti-sway bar and radius rods at full turn (jeep wrangler steel rims) I ended up with 215/75/15s but 225/70/15s would be a better size (more tires available in this size) the 93 & up can do 235’s with no problem, just may need a lower rear gear, my 94 came with 3.45’s and I swapped axles out to get a 4.10 ratio. I normally run 225/70’s on it, have the 2.3 and a manual transmission. works well.
yes the wheels from a B2 or explorer would work.

That's what I was afraid of that the 235's would rub, which means they'd probably rub on my Bronco 2 as well if I tried to go up to that size. My Bronco 2 and my Ranger both I got lucky they have 3.73 gears so no issues for power loss with slightly larger tires.

 

[wildbill23c]

You should be good to go then.

Thanks. Going to hit up the pick a part yards soon and see what I can find. At least get a set of 15" wheels to have on hand when the time comes so I don't have to rush out and try to find them then. These older pickups here in Idaho are quite popular, but sadly our tire shops don't seem to care about stocking the right size tires for them. So, I'm guessing a 15" set of wheels would definitely help widen my tire selection at least, not that it matters much with a 2WD truck, but at least give some better selections.