265/75 to 235/75

[paulsb4000]

I purchased a one owner 97mazda b4000 for my daughter this summer and one of the few things it needs is a couple tires before winter but now that i have begun looking for tires I see there is not much of a selection in that size anymore, it has kelly safari awr 265/75R15 on it and that is the size the truck came with, it really only needs 2 tires but i cannot find anything of comparable tread pattern in stock around town besides the wrangler silent armor, i can get firestone destination le in that size but wonder if the difference in tread would be too great and effect handling, there seems to be a large selection of tires in the 235/75R15 size and i could get a set of 4 in this size for just a little more than 2 of the 265/75R15, but i wonder how downsizing would effect the truck, if the consensus is I shouldnt go smaller i guess i will get a set of 31x10.5 so i dont run into this problem again, just looking for opinions to help me to decide what to do. thanks!

 

[Earl43P]

It'll perform "like a hot rod" in comparison, with shorter, lighter tires.

Speedo will be inaccurate, go to

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

[JohnnyO]

A 31x10.50 is about the same overall size. 90's Rangers and Mazdas with the big tire option also came with a 4.10 limited-slip rear axle to turn them, so 235's will probably cut the mpg's a little.
If I were you I would 1) see if a local tire shop can order two of the Kelly's in the size you need or 2) get two of the Firestones now and 2 more next year.

 

[06RangerXLT]

buy a set of 4 30x9.5x15 BFG at's. best snow AT ive ever driven on. i used them last year and just bought a set of 33's this year.