2.0L ('83-'88) 2.3 Turbo Swap - Tire Change

[judahd]

Short time listener, first time caller - I have a stock 1985 2.0L, 2WD, manual, carb. Going to swap the engine, likely for a 2.3T Not looking to go bananas on HP, but probably more than necessary. I do not want to lift or lower the truck. I would like to improve the suspension for a better ride and potentially improve the brakes if that seemed necessary but that's it. However, I immediately need to change the tires out because they are questionable at best. Current tires are 205/75R14. Door calls for 185/75R14. What tires do I need to get? If I need a different tire, do I need to change out the wheels too? Personally I like the look but I also don't want to buy a whole new set of tires only to find out they're not a good fit for a souped up engine. Thank you!

 

[scotts90ranger]

Tires don't matter too much on the engine, depends on your uses... what gear ratio is in the rear axle? On the drivers door there's a tag and will say axle at the bottom, what's the number under that?

It probably has 3.08:1 or 3.45:1 gears as they liked those in the '80's...

14" wheels fit on even the newest of TTB brakes (two piston calipers on '95-97) and the back doesn't matter unless you go with a disc brake explorer axle so whatever. Wider is going to be better but the stock wheels are only like 6" wide so they're a bit spongey when you go to 225 or wider...

 

[judahd]

I went to go look and I don’t see a ratio. Am I missing something?

 

[scotts90ranger]

Kinda, if you go HERE in the tech library it gives you a list of the axle codes from that sticker, you have code 84 which means 7.5" axle with 3.45 gears...

Apparently the transmission code 5 means a Toyo Koygo 5 speed so at least you have overdrive...