15 x 8 " wheels with 275/60's on Gen 1 Ranger?

[jayE]

Sorry that got totalled!
I did return those tires but have yet to buy a replacement. I will keep you posted!

 

[jayE]

Tire Size Calculator

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View attachment 129007

Yeah, those larger tires were just too risky...The internet's amazing!

 

[JoshT]

Sorry that got totalled!
I did return those tires but have yet to buy a replacement. I will keep you posted!

Me too. That was a sad day. That truck was my dad's from the mid-late 80s until atleast the mid 90s. Got passed around the extended family for several years. When I was getting close to driving it was the only thing that I wanted, and grandma gave it to me. Me and dad got it fixed it back up for my 16th in 2001. I totaled it in 2009.

Early morning on the way to work. Damp roads and sharp curve. I seem to recall that I swerved to miss something, but what ever the cause I was definitely driving too fast for conditions. The back end got loose, went sideways off the road at about 45-50 mph and slid like it was on glass. Stopped with the passenger side wrapped sideways around a pecan tree, just behind the passenger door. I walked away with no more than a scratch from broken glass.

Either I was in a dead zone with no service, or I forgot my cell that morning. I know I got a lift to a gas station by the interstate, got dad to come pick me up, and we headed back to assess damage and how we'd get it back home (trailer or call tow truck). Already knew it was totaled, but a fresh engine and bunch of good parts. Just after we got back to the truck a sheriff deputy pulled up and asked if we knew the driver, and was surprised that it was me standing there with no apparent injuries. They'd been riding around looking for someone laid out in the orchard or local field.

Still got the truck all these years later waiting to do something with the parts. Some will be going on the 85 if I ever start working on it, thinking about building a "kit car" around the engine and maybe rear axle.

 

[superj]

dang, thats a bummer about that truck

 

[Brain75]

I could not find this page by searching on TRS, I think it is an orphaned page (exists, but no other page links directly to it)... I managed to find it via google search.
and while it doesn't directly answer your question, working backwards from the max size under a 2" lifted to work down to a zero lifted some solid interpolation can be done....

1983-2011 Ford Ranger Tire Fitment Guide - The Ranger Station

Looking to add larger tires to your Ranger and need to know what will fit with different lifts? This guide may help.

www.therangerstation.com

 

[JoshT]

Good link, I'd forgotten about that page. Unless it just changed in the last couple hours, the link to it can be found under the "Brakes, Steering, Tires & Wheels:" section of the 83-11 tech library.

 

[jayE]

Me too. That was a sad day. That truck was my dad's from the mid-late 80s until atleast the mid 90s. Got passed around the extended family for several years. When I was getting close to driving it was the only thing that I wanted, and grandma gave it to me. Me and dad got it fixed it back up for my 16th in 2001. I totaled it in 2009.

Early morning on the way to work. Damp roads and sharp curve. I seem to recall that I swerved to miss something, but what ever the cause I was definitely driving too fast for conditions. The back end got loose, went sideways off the road at about 45-50 mph and slid like it was on glass. Stopped with the passenger side wrapped sideways around a pecan tree, just behind the passenger door. I walked away with no more than a scratch from broken glass.

Either I was in a dead zone with no service, or I forgot my cell that morning. I know I got a lift to a gas station by the interstate, got dad to come pick me up, and we headed back to assess damage and how we'd get it back home (trailer or call tow truck). Already knew it was totaled, but a fresh engine and bunch of good parts. Just after we got back to the truck a sheriff deputy pulled up and asked if we knew the driver, and was surprised that it was me standing there with no apparent injuries. They'd been riding around looking for someone laid out in the orchard or local field.

Still got the truck all these years later waiting to do something with the parts. Some will be going on the 85 if I ever start working on it, thinking about building a "kit car" around the engine and maybe rear axle.

Wow, what a story. I'm glad that you were alright and also that the road was empty.

I totalled a '78 f100 the same way. My back end slipped out, went sideways down the road, slowly heading toward the left side of the road, I went past one telephone pole, watched the second one coming and thought if I get past this one I'll be okay. Just as I thought I'd made it past, the front end of the truck spun around.

That was a great truck, three on the tree and a 300 straight six. The guy who towed it said he wanted the engine. But there wasn't any family history.

Totalled doesn't always mean unrepairable. Maybe you can find enough steel and get the frame straighted. Sight unseen, of course.

 

[JoshT]

No pics on my phone, looks like they are just on the computer at home. I've probably posted them here before, but it's been so long that who knows if they still work.

It is most definitely unrepairable. The pass B-pillar and front corner of the bed were the impact points. Crushed and shoved the back of the cab over against the frame. Both frame rails bent, pass pushed against the transmission/driveshaft. Basically the only good parts left are in the engine bay and around the back axle.

 

[jonboy1225]

Me too. That was a sad day. That truck was my dad's from the mid-late 80s until atleast the mid 90s. Got passed around the extended family for several years. When I was getting close to driving it was the only thing that I wanted, and grandma gave it to me. Me and dad got it fixed it back up for my 16th in 2001. I totaled it in 2009.

Early morning on the way to work. Damp roads and sharp curve. I seem to recall that I swerved to miss something, but what ever the cause I was definitely driving too fast for conditions. The back end got loose, went sideways off the road at about 45-50 mph and slid like it was on glass. Stopped with the passenger side wrapped sideways around a pecan tree, just behind the passenger door. I walked away with no more than a scratch from broken glass.

Either I was in a dead zone with no service, or I forgot my cell that morning. I know I got a lift to a gas station by the interstate, got dad to come pick me up, and we headed back to assess damage and how we'd get it back home (trailer or call tow truck). Already knew it was totaled, but a fresh engine and bunch of good parts. Just after we got back to the truck a sheriff deputy pulled up and asked if we knew the driver, and was surprised that it was me standing there with no apparent injuries. They'd been riding around looking for someone laid out in the orchard or local field.

Still got the truck all these years later waiting to do something with the parts. Some will be going on the 85 if I ever start working on it, thinking about building a "kit car" around the engine and maybe rear axle.

Dang man, just saw this while googling around deciding on tires. Very sorry to hear that!! Always really liked that truck, but you got out okay and that's what matters.

Haven't been on here in ages, can't figure out how to PM you haha I'm still in Macon though, I have a 1st Gen and two 2nd Gen RCSB trucks I might be willing to part with if you need it

 

[JohnnyO]

Re: 275/60-15 will fit okay on the rear but not the front on a 2wd. Gen 1 you're limited by height and width. A 235/60-15 will fit the front for sure and maybe a 245. Thing is with different size tires you can't rotate them for longer life, if that's a concern.
OP has the right wheels though.
Tall rear tires are gonna hurt if it's a 4-banger though.
If it's me I run 245/60's all around or for big and littles 255/60's in the rear and 215/70's in the front but they might not stretch onto an 8 inch wheel, a 7 inch would be better.
$0.02.

 

[jayE]

I

Re: 275/60-15 will fit okay on the rear but not the front on a 2wd. Gen 1 you're limited by height and width. A 235/60-15 will fit the front for sure and maybe a 245. Thing is with different size tires you can't rotate them for longer life, if that's a concern.
OP has the right wheels though.
Tall rear tires are gonna hurt if it's a 4-banger though.
If it's me I run 245/60's all around or for big and littles 255/60's in the rear and 215/70's in the front but they might not stretch onto an 8 inch wheel, a 7 inch would be better.
$0.02.

I appreciate your input. I really otherwise have no experiance in what I can get away with in sizing the tires to fit the truck.
For better or worse, I still have yet to invest in this project but I imagine that when I do I will say that I have installed 215/70 R15's on, I guess, a 7" rim, max.
215/70 R15's because there are so many more tire choices available in that size and I guess I'll go up to a 7 inch rim because that is already over 80% of the width of the the 215mm tire size. Thanks.

 

[jayE]

I didn't see this coming but my son purchased some 15x7 wheels he found on marketplace and they came with 235/75 R15 tires. These tires will have to be replaced because of their wear but I put one on the Ranger to check fitment. They don't rub but there isn't any snow stuck to the tire either. Any thoughts?

 

[SenorNoob]

Try to find somewhere you can make a sharp turn with a bump. (Right into a parking lot usually works.) If it doesn't rub there you'll be fine.

 

[jayE]

As it turned out these wheels were too big...for the rear. My son trans[ported a motorcycle in the bed and it caused the side of the tire to rub on the wheelwell. We put some 215/70 R15's on and they have been a very good fit.