1st time Ranger owner. Need some help with wheels?

[Slickster]

Hello everyone,

I just purchased my first Ranger. Nothing too fancy here. It's a 93 2WD 3.0 V6 with a manual 5 spd transmission. I purchased it from a little old lady who was the original owner. It only has 60000 miles. So far I'm very happy with my purchase. I plan to use it as a daily driver and to pull a small aluminum boat and trailer.

Here it is:

The first thing I want to do is upgrade the 14" wheels. They are quite small, corroded and ugly looking. I have considered cleaning them up and painting them but I think I would like something a little bigger. Maybe 15"s or 16"s. I've never upgraded the size of rims on a vehicle before and I'm a little wary about damaging anything or negatively affecting the performance.

I've been looking around Craigslist, wreckers, etc and have found a couple sets available locally.

Here are the options so far:

16X7's apparently off of a 98 Ford Explorer

15X7's off of a 98 Ranger

15X7 Deer Hoofs (Same as what I have now except 15")


Questions:

1. Will all of these rims fit? Bolt pattern? Offset? Etc?

2. My gear ratio is 3.45 and the original wheel/tires are 215-70-R14. Will I have any problems with performance, transmission, or damage my rear end by going with a bigger wheel/tire with this gear ratio? I know my speedo will be affected but I'm ok with that.

I'm looking at 2010's on the Ford website and other stock Rangers around town, I'm seeing wheel/tire combinations like 225-70-R15 and 235-75-R15 and then 255-70-R16 on some 4X4 trucks. However I have no idea what the gear ratios are on these vehicles.

Whether I choose the 15"s or 16"s I'll probably just choose one of the above tire sizes if they will work or you guys tell me otherwise.

I'd appreciate any help or advice you guys can offer. Heck even tell me your preference on these rims looks-wise.

 

[JohnnyO]

All Ranger/Explorer/Bronco II wheels have the same bolt pattern and similar offset. The only issue is that some 4x2 wheels won't fit over the 4x4 hub, but that's not a problem in your case.
I would go with the 16x7's and use 225/60 or 235/60 tires on them. It would look killer. 225/70-16's would probably be too tall to fit.
If you want the 15's I'd use a 225/70 or 235/70 tire.
14's are getting hard to find tires for. Only thing with the 60's, if it snows where you live then I wouldn't use them in the winter. Keep the 14's and put snow tires on them.

 

[strvger]

nice looking truck!! i like the 15" set in the middle pic myself. i'd go with a 235/70x15 tire. seeing those evergreens in the background, i'm guessing you do get at least some snow in the winter? excellent tires for year round use are the TOYO Open Country AT's. not cheap, but an EXCELLENT all season/all weather tire. and you will notice a great improvement in handling as the sidewalls are a little stiffer. nice feel of the road with them. used them here in northern Minnesota on wet, snowy, icy roads and in the spring mud and they're great... imho.

 

[Slickster]

Hey thanks very much guys!

I like the first two options best as well. The deer hoofs are okay but maybe a little dated looking. They actually look like they'd go well on an old hot rod or something .

Thanks for the advice on tires too. We do get the occasional snowfall here. I'm on Vancouver Island (Pacific Northwest) so I think I will keep the 14's around for snow tires.

Cheers.

 

[badmts]

Get the 16's and then go to the FIRESTONE in Bellingham Wa. and get 225/6016 primewell 830's (directional,mud and snow rated,H speed rated,40k) for $49.75US ea. I checked their inventory they are in stock! I work at the Tacoma store