What is the widest tire that will fit

[Josh P]

I've got an 87 ranger that I swapped an explorer 8.8 axle, I'm putting a bed off a 93 splash on it. I've read many of the other questions that have been asked here and 31 inch diameter has been the answer. What I'm wondering is how wide can that 31 inch tire be without rubbing anything? I've laced the original Ranger leaf springs with a set of 4 door explorer springs, it did raise it a little, would the wheel well fit something larger than a 31 inch tire? The bed isn't on the truck yet and the vehicle is 550 miles away from me, otherwise I'd measure it instead of asking.

 

[Ranger850]

1983-2011 Ford Ranger 4x4 Builders Guide click this link scroll down to "TIRE SIZE"

 

[Josh P]

1983-2011 Ford Ranger 4x4 Builders Guide click this link scroll down to "TIRE SIZE"

Thanks, looks like 285/50/20 is what I want.

 

[sgtsandman]

My 31X10.5R15 tires rub a little bit on the elbow of the front sway bar at full lock and thump the rubber splash guard on the right side that covers the gap between the frame and the wheel well.

My guess is that 10" is going to be the max on a 4X4 Ranger unless you start playing with the back space of the rims. Then you could run into rub issues with the wheel arches.

As far as a RWD Ranger, I've never pushed the limits. So I have not good information to give. My guess is that the tires would have to be less than 10" and again, you would have to worry about rubbing the wheel arches if you start kicking the tires out to allow a wider tire to not rub.

 

[Curious Hound]

The front is the limiting factor, especially with the wheels turned and the something pushing the wheel upwards, like hitting a bump. Getting too wide will rub either the radius arms or fender openings.

 

[Ranger850]

Thanks, looks like 285/50/20 is what I want.

You running 20" wheels ? on a Square body Ranger with a Splash bed ? I gotta see this thing

Side Note : Notice how the OP called it a bed off of a "Splash" and NOT a "flare side" bed.
There was a whole discussion on this subject just few weeks ago.

Just sayin'.

 

[Curious Hound]

Notice how the OP called it a bed off of a "Splash" and NOT a "flare side" bed.
There was a whole discussion on this subject just few weeks ago.

Please don’t start that again.

 

[Ranger850]

Please don’t start that again.

but that's what I do



besides, everybody like to be right every now and then.

 

[Josh P]

You running 20" wheels ? on a Square body Ranger with a Splash bed ? I gotta see this thing

Side Note : Notice how the OP called it a bed off of a "Splash" and NOT a "flare side" bed.
There was a whole discussion on this subject just few weeks ago.

Just sayin'.

I'm not worthy. Please forgive me. The flare side bed. I'll post pictures when i start working on it. I'm going to use 20 inch explorer wheels, I've got a dana 30 for a solid front axle swap. This is a project I've put off for way too long.

 

[Josh P]

My 31X10.5R15 tires rub a little bit on the elbow of the front sway bar at full lock and thump the rubber splash guard on the right side that covers the gap between the frame and the wheel well.

My guess is that 10" is going to be the max on a 4X4 Ranger unless you start playing with the back space of the rims. Then you could run into rub issues with the wheel arches.

As far as a RWD Ranger, I've never pushed the limits. So I have not good information to give. My guess is that the tires would have to be less than 10" and again, you would have to worry about rubbing the wheel arches if you start kicking the tires out to allow a wider tire to not rub.

Looking at the tire size in your signature, how well do the rear tires fit? The front will not be stock when I'm done so whatever fits the rear, I make fit the front.

 

[racsan]

You running 20" wheels ? on a Square body Ranger with a Splash bed ? I gotta see this thing

Side Note : Notice how the OP called it a bed off of a "Splash" and NOT a "flare side" bed.
There was a whole discussion on this subject just few weeks ago.

Just sayin'.

At least he didn’t say “step side”.

 

[Lefty]

I've got 10 1/2 wide with a smaller diameter, no problems, no rubs. I'm thinking I could put a wider tire on the back. Some members might advise against this, but why not? Here's what 10 1/2 looks like. Also take a peek at the rear end. My tires are flush with the fender line, made
slightly inside.

I think that mud flaps are somewhat helpful both front and back.

 

[sgtsandman]

Looking at the tire size in your signature, how well do the rear tires fit? The front will not be stock when I'm done so whatever fits the rear, I make fit the front.

The rear tires fit fine and I suspect they will be ok on a RWD that sits lower than a 4X4. The rear wheel wells have more latitude since the tires only have to spin in a straight line. Looking at my truck, I think the 10.5 wide tires are going to be the limit with the stock wheels. I believe the back space is 3.75" on them. Being that you are looking at a different wheel, you could go with a deeper backspace and go a little bit wider on the tire. There looks like there is about 3" of more room and still clear the leaf springs.

I want to make sure you understand that this is all based on how these tires are fitting on a 4X4 Ranger that sits higher than a RWD Ranger. Your truck is sitting at least 2.5" lower, stock, than my truck is. Before I put taller axle blocks and heavier springs (thicker pack) on the truck, the tires still fit fine. So, you SHOULD be ok. I haven't worked on a RWD Ranger in a good while to say for 100% that you will be ok but other than the axle blocks, the trucks are essentially the same in the back.

The only way to know for sure is to do a test fit with one tire before you fully commit and are stuck with a set of tires you can't use.

 

[gaz]

@Josh P ,
I mounted 30.5×9.5-15" Firestone all terrain tires on my 1987 4×4 regular cab, long bed Ranger when 100% stock; they had decent clearance in the rear wells but rubbed before full turn in both directions. This prompted me to install a body lift.

I could have ok let it be and lived with the rub but it made me feel dumber everytime I heard and felt it.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

@Josh P ,
I mounted 30.5×9.5" Firestone all terrain tires on 15" wheels on my 1987 4×4 regular cab, long bed Ranger when 100% stock; they had decent clearance in the rear wells but rubbed before full turn in both directions. This prompted me to install a body lift.

I could have ok let it be and lived with the rub but it made me feel dumber everytime I heard and felt it.

At least you recognized getting dumber...