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2WD 2.5 Ranger from 14s to 15s


Spidey300

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Location
St. Louis, MO
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/70R14
Next time I need tires, I'd like to look at going up to 15" wheels since the 14s are getting so hard to find/expensive. My Ranger is a 98 2.5L 2WD standard cab long bed with auto trans and an open 7.5 4.10 axle.

I currently have 205/75R14 (26") tires and was thinking of going to 225/70R15 (27.4") or 235/75R15 (29") but I'm concerned my power and fuel economy would drop significantly. I go on a cross country camping trip once a year through Colorado so I'm concerned about both.

Does anyone have experience with this engine/axle doing this? I know the 27.4" tires came stock on a lot of 2wd rangers so I assume that should be safe? I read on here one guy who said he went from 24 mpg to 18 mpg hwy when he went up to 29"s. TIA
 


racsan

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ford/escape
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2.5/151 I-4
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2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
I went from 225/70/14’s to 225/70/15’s (winter)-235/75/15’s in summer with a 94 2.3 , originally I had a 3.45 rear axle but I swapped it for a 4.10, my gas mileage is 21 on average in the summer, the 225/70/15’s are the better choice, especially if you pull a trailer. Its not that 235/75/15’s are bad but its a noticeable difference and a 4cyl only has so much tourque, no matter how low you gear it. Also , if you pick a tire with the same outside diameter as your original, you wont notice any performance change, use a tire calculator. Google “tacoma world tire calculator “. Ive found it very helpful. Your 2.5 isnt much different from my 2.3 , mine is a 2wd longbed also.
And welcome to T.R.S!
 

Spidey300

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Location
St. Louis, MO
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/70R14
I went from 225/70/14’s to 225/70/15’s (winter)-235/75/15’s in summer with a 94 2.3 , originally I had a 3.45 rear axle but I swapped it for a 4.10, my gas mileage is 21 on average in the summer, the 225/70/15’s are the better choice, especially if you pull a trailer. Its not that 235/75/15’s are bad but its a noticeable difference and a 4cyl only has so much tourque, no matter how low you gear it. Also , if you pick a tire with the same outside diameter as your original, you wont notice any performance change, use a tire calculator. Google “tacoma world tire calculator “. Ive found it very helpful. Your 2.5 isnt much different from my 2.3 , mine is a 2wd longbed also.
And welcome to T.R.S!
Thanks, that's great info! I actually have a combination currently due to limited availability of 14s. 205/75R14 on the front and 225/70R14 on the rear. So 225/70R15 would be a 5% dia increase in the front and 3.8% increase in rear. 235/75R15 would be 10.6% dia increase in front and 9.4% in rear. I have my camper shell loaded down pretty well when camping so maybe I'll aim for 225/70/15s. Dont want to bog down in the mountains any more than I already do, lol.
 

JW20

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FYI General Tire makes the Grabber ATX in 27x8.5-14. That's what I have on my 97 2.3 2wd, and I have the same tire on my F-250. I am very happy with them on both trucks.

I chose them for the Ranger because it was the only LT 14" tire I could find other than snow tires.
 

rusty ol ranger

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177 CID
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2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
FYI General Tire makes the Grabber ATX in 27x8.5-14. That's what I have on my 97 2.3 2wd, and I have the same tire on my F-250. I am very happy with them on both trucks.

I chose them for the Ranger because it was the only LT 14" tire I could find other than snow tires.
I have the grabbers on my 87 riding on the factory 14's, very impressive tire so far. Snow, mud, whatever they bite and bite hard.

I went from the factory 205/70r14's to 27x8.5r14's on my 87 and didnt even notice a power difference. Granted i got a 2.9L/5sp but with a 3.45 rear. Im also only running them on the rear.

If you go up an inch in size or so i doubt youll notice any difference.
 

JOLENE_THE_RANGER

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FYI General Tire makes the Grabber ATX in 27x8.5-14. That's what I have on my 97 2.3 2wd, and I have the same tire on my F-250. I am very happy with them on both trucks.

I chose them for the Ranger because it was the only LT 14" tire I could find other than snow tires.
would you mind posting a photo of the truck with them! im interested in the same tires
 

JohnnyO

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Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5"
Tire Size
265/70-17
My credo
"220, 221, whatever it takes."
I wouldn't go bigger than a 225/70-15. Be okay with the 4.10 gears. Factory size on 2wd Rangers from about 2008-2011.
 

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