Tires

[Sblattenberger]

I have a 1991 Ford Ranger with 14 inch rims. Just wondering if I should stick with the 195 size tires or move up to 215. My son likes to ride his dirtbike out in the desert just looking for tires that would be sufficient for that and on the road thank you guys.

 

[Curious Hound]

From what I’ve been hearing, the tire choices for 14” rims have been dwindling. You may want to consider 15” rims for better tire options. You can use a tire size calculator like This one to find different tire measurements that will fit and keep your outer diameter similar so you don't Lose performance. If the outside diameter of the tire increases too much, it will feel like your engine has lost power.

more info Here

 

[19Walt93]

15's are getting scarce, too. Many Rangers from early 2000's thru 2011 had 16 inch wheels that would open up more tire choices. A lower profile 16 would have a similar diameter so your speedo would be close to accurate. I think Coker has some 14's but your wallet won't like them.

 

[Brain75]

As the owner of a 14" er I can totally attest that 14 inch shoes are more spendy than 15's or 16's.... I am moving up to 16's myself, but that was more luck of the draw on what wheels became available to me than any great choice.
215/70r14 is my original stock, and there are a grand total of 11 different models left at discount tire. 225/55r16 has 47 models available at discount. Both of those are within a 1/2 a percent size diff 25.85 inch diameter (14's) versus 25.74 (16's).

Last purchase of 14's was by P.O. (still in the family) and they spent almost $200 a shoe for em. Discount is listing the cheapest 16 at $74 ea.

When I say 11 different models that is like 10 brands with one brand (Kumho) offering 2 models.

I think I figured out the why of it... all the new cars are getting "low profile" tires because they are safer in the event of a blowout - nobody is putting 14's on anything new now, the little micro econoboxes get 15's even.

I haven't decided exactly what size I am going to go with, cause I wouldn't mind a little higher ride, but of course that's changing a speedo gear or just being off.

 

[19Walt93]

I don't think the switch to low profile tires has anything to do with blow outs, it's more about looks and tighter handling with less sidewall flex.

 

[Curious Hound]

I don't think the switch to low profile tires has anything to do with blow outs, it's more about looks and tighter handling with less sidewall flex.

I agree with that. In fact, I had low profile tires in my F150 and hated them. Too many bent rims from pot-holes. Even burped air out of one when I hit a pot-hole one day - went from 32psi to about 15psi. Give me big sidewalls any day on any vehicle I drive. Its much more economical in the long run.

 

[sgtsandman]

As the owner of a 14" er I can totally attest that 14 inch shoes are more spendy than 15's or 16's.... I am moving up to 16's myself, but that was more luck of the draw on what wheels became available to me than any great choice.
215/70r14 is my original stock, and there are a grand total of 11 different models left at discount tire. 225/55r16 has 47 models available at discount. Both of those are within a 1/2 a percent size diff 25.85 inch diameter (14's) versus 25.74 (16's).

Last purchase of 14's was by P.O. (still in the family) and they spent almost $200 a shoe for em. Discount is listing the cheapest 16 at $74 ea.

When I say 11 different models that is like 10 brands with one brand (Kumho) offering 2 models.

I think I figured out the why of it... all the new cars are getting "low profile" tires because they are safer in the event of a blowout - nobody is putting 14's on anything new now, the little micro econoboxes get 15's even.

I haven't decided exactly what size I am going to go with, cause I wouldn't mind a little higher ride, but of course that's changing a speedo gear or just being off.

I've been hyming and hawing over going to 16" rims to replace the rusted out 15" steel wheels I had for the winter tires on the 2011. I haven't liked the sizing options available compared to the 31X10.5R15 tires that look and fit so well on it. The one size that is closest, has a poor choice selection in mud tires. As in one or two on the various web sites I've looked on.

So, I'm kind of stuck with 15"s unless I do something to the truck so a 32" equivalent fits. Then, a matching spare will no longer fit underneath and I would have to go the route Uncle Gump and Curious Hound had to go.

 

[scotts90ranger]

For me tire size would range more on what gearing is in the rear axle... and depending on what engine it has, the automatic will be a little more forgiving but if it's a 4 cylinder I'd stick with shorter tires if it has dumb tall gears like my '90 came with.

Going up to a 215 wouldn't be a big deal, they'll fit fine and not change things much but if it has 3.08 gears will slow you down some...

 

[Bill]

There are quite a few thoughts regarding large wheels on vehicles. One is stability. However, vehicle stability has been mostly a center of gravity problem. Another explanation I read is that larger wheels don't turn as fast which decreases stress on the wheels and increases the life of axle and hub components. These things weren't an issue in the past. Then there are the explanations regarding proportional looks, handling, etc. In the former, I guess. But I've seen some sports cars that have disproportionately large wheels. Lower profile tires increase handling, but it increases ride harshness. And all this doesn't explain why large wheels are put on SUVs and trucks. Especially the ones with off road packages. I think 15 or 16 inch wheels look the best on trucks and SUVs. I also prefer some rubber between the wheel and the road to absorb the impact of bumps and potholes in the road. And the one issue I don't understand is that heavier wheels decrease fuel economy. While it isn't much, manufacturers have done all kinds of things from using lower viscosity oils to using plastic parts and carbon fiber beds to decrease the weight and increase fuel economy.

My thoughts are large wheels have their applications, but they are put on everything now. I think it is just one more thing that manufactures add to justify charging more and then selling a new OEM wheel to the people who bend theirs when driving on the unmaintained roads here in Sacramento County.


Also, I'm going through the same issue when it comes to this. I have 15" and 225/70/15. I have steel wheels with a worn finish. I was thinking about going to 16 inch 225/70/16 for more options, or maybe 225/75/15. The wheels are the issue. Any aftermarket wheel that doesn't look like it belongs on a car on the Dukes of Hazard is expensive. There are two OEM alloy wheels that were available on the Rangers and Mazda trucks, but those are just as expensive used.

 

[sgtsandman]

Big wheels and short walled tires is the style and for most people, it's more for looks than performance. Most people just use vehicles as a style statment and just drive around town and so on.

 

[Curious Hound]

Another explanation I read is that larger wheels don't turn as fast which decreases stress on the wheels and increases the life of axle and hub components. T

If outer diameter of the tire remains constant, wheel size is irrelevant to rpm. Hence, larger wheel diameter with proportionately lower profile tire = same wheel/tire speed.

 

[Bill]

If outer diameter of the tire remains constant, wheel size is irrelevant to rpm. Hence, larger wheel diameter with proportionately lower profile tire = same wheel/tire speed.

Yes, I understand that. Car manufacturers are using bigger wheels and tires.

 

[JoshT]

As the owner of a 14" er I can totally attest that 14 inch shoes are more spendy than 15's or 16's.... I am moving up to 16's myself, but that was more luck of the draw on what wheels became available to me than any great choice.

Did that on my 84 Ranger. 14" to 16" wheel, with same diameter tires. Can't recall the actual size. Thinking it was 225/70R14 to maybe 225/60R16.

IMO it was an improvement all around. Better handling, better performance, and didn't sacrifice ride quality.

I'll agree with others statements about sidewalls. I will note that on my 2011 Kia I did experience sidewall issues. It came from the factory with 17" wheels, 45 series tires, and was bad about puncturing sidewalls. Three of them in the first 10k miles. Come to find out that Kia speced a cheap tire from Goodyear that was made for them. The equivalent Goodyear tire from a tire shop had a stronger sidewall. Third sidewall puncture damaged a wheel and aftermarket were cheaper than a single stock. The new non-stock tires never had another problem with sidewalls, but I did start damaging wheels on the same kind of hits that previously took them out. If I'd still be on factory wheels, I don't think the wheel would have happened. If I'd stepped up a size on tire width with the aftermarket wheels, I don't think the damage would have happened. If I'd had a better quality aftermarket wheel, I don't think that the damage would have happened.

Next time I needed tires, I dropped back to a 16" wheel and went up a size in sidewall. Ride didn't change. Handling didn't change noticably, but I don't track drive and we're talking 4" sidewall vs 5" sidewall. I haven't had any wheel or tire issues aside from acellerated wear due to my driving habits.

And the one issue I don't understand is that heavier wheels decrease fuel economy.

Lots of factors to consider around the move to larger diameters. Heres a few thoughts on that one.

Yes, the wheels may be heavier, but that can vary alot by wheel design. A larger more open design may weigh less than a smaller more solid design.

The increased weight of the wheel, may be partially offset by reduced weight of the tire.

Reduced sidewall is going to result in reduced tire deflection, and as a result lower rolling resistance. Lower rolling resistance of tires could potentially increase fuel efficiency more than the added weight decreases it.

 

[sgtsandman]

Another thing that effects wheel weight is how they are made, at least with aluminum wheels. Some of it is wheel design as far as spokes, holes, webbing, and what not and some of it is forged vs cast.

Forged wheels tend to be lighter (but not always) than cast wheels. Of course forged wheels are going to be more expensive as a result of how they are made.

So, one could go to a bigger wheel and have it weight less than the smaller wheel. It all depends on how the smaller was made, assuming both are aluminum wheels.

Then one gets into tire construction and whether the new tire is going to be lighter than the old one. A lower profile design tire isn't necessarily going to be lighter than the older higher profile one. It could end up being the same or even heavier. Usually, that information is available on the tire manufacturer's website.