2WD 2.5 Ranger from 14s to 15s

[Spidey300]

Next time I need tires, I'd like to look at going up to 15" wheels since the 14s are getting so hard to find/expensive. My Ranger is a 98 2.5L 2WD standard cab long bed with auto trans and an open 7.5 4.10 axle.

I currently have 205/75R14 (26") tires and was thinking of going to 225/70R15 (27.4") or 235/75R15 (29") but I'm concerned my power and fuel economy would drop significantly. I go on a cross country camping trip once a year through Colorado so I'm concerned about both.

Does anyone have experience with this engine/axle doing this? I know the 27.4" tires came stock on a lot of 2wd rangers so I assume that should be safe? I read on here one guy who said he went from 24 mpg to 18 mpg hwy when he went up to 29"s. TIA

 

[racsan]

I went from 225/70/14’s to 225/70/15’s (winter)-235/75/15’s in summer with a 94 2.3 , originally I had a 3.45 rear axle but I swapped it for a 4.10, my gas mileage is 21 on average in the summer, the 225/70/15’s are the better choice, especially if you pull a trailer. Its not that 235/75/15’s are bad but its a noticeable difference and a 4cyl only has so much tourque, no matter how low you gear it. Also , if you pick a tire with the same outside diameter as your original, you wont notice any performance change, use a tire calculator. Google “tacoma world tire calculator “. Ive found it very helpful. Your 2.5 isnt much different from my 2.3 , mine is a 2wd longbed also.
And welcome to T.R.S!

 

[Spidey300]

I went from 225/70/14’s to 225/70/15’s (winter)-235/75/15’s in summer with a 94 2.3 , originally I had a 3.45 rear axle but I swapped it for a 4.10, my gas mileage is 21 on average in the summer, the 225/70/15’s are the better choice, especially if you pull a trailer. Its not that 235/75/15’s are bad but its a noticeable difference and a 4cyl only has so much tourque, no matter how low you gear it. Also , if you pick a tire with the same outside diameter as your original, you wont notice any performance change, use a tire calculator. Google “tacoma world tire calculator “. Ive found it very helpful. Your 2.5 isnt much different from my 2.3 , mine is a 2wd longbed also.
And welcome to T.R.S!

Thanks, that's great info! I actually have a combination currently due to limited availability of 14s. 205/75R14 on the front and 225/70R14 on the rear. So 225/70R15 would be a 5% dia increase in the front and 3.8% increase in rear. 235/75R15 would be 10.6% dia increase in front and 9.4% in rear. I have my camper shell loaded down pretty well when camping so maybe I'll aim for 225/70/15s. Dont want to bog down in the mountains any more than I already do, lol.

 

[JW20]

FYI General Tire makes the Grabber ATX in 27x8.5-14. That's what I have on my 97 2.3 2wd, and I have the same tire on my F-250. I am very happy with them on both trucks.

I chose them for the Ranger because it was the only LT 14" tire I could find other than snow tires.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

FYI General Tire makes the Grabber ATX in 27x8.5-14. That's what I have on my 97 2.3 2wd, and I have the same tire on my F-250. I am very happy with them on both trucks.

I chose them for the Ranger because it was the only LT 14" tire I could find other than snow tires.

I have the grabbers on my 87 riding on the factory 14's, very impressive tire so far. Snow, mud, whatever they bite and bite hard.

I went from the factory 205/70r14's to 27x8.5r14's on my 87 and didnt even notice a power difference. Granted i got a 2.9L/5sp but with a 3.45 rear. Im also only running them on the rear.

If you go up an inch in size or so i doubt youll notice any difference.

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

FYI General Tire makes the Grabber ATX in 27x8.5-14. That's what I have on my 97 2.3 2wd, and I have the same tire on my F-250. I am very happy with them on both trucks.

I chose them for the Ranger because it was the only LT 14" tire I could find other than snow tires.

would you mind posting a photo of the truck with them! im interested in the same tires

 

[JohnnyO]

I wouldn't go bigger than a 225/70-15. Be okay with the 4.10 gears. Factory size on 2wd Rangers from about 2008-2011.

 

[Redbeard1714]

I went from 225/70/14’s to 225/70/15’s (winter)-235/75/15’s in summer with a 94 2.3 , originally I had a 3.45 rear axle but I swapped it for a 4.10, my gas mileage is 21 on average in the summer, the 225/70/15’s are the better choice, especially if you pull a trailer. Its not that 235/75/15’s are bad but its a noticeable difference and a 4cyl only has so much tourque, no matter how low you gear it. Also , if you pick a tire with the same outside diameter as your original, you wont notice any performance change, use a tire calculator. Google “tacoma world tire calculator “. Ive found it very helpful. Your 2.5 isnt much different from my 2.3 , mine is a 2wd longbed also.
And welcome to T.R.S!

Did the 225/70r15 rub in the front when turning?

 

[racsan]

Did the 225/70r15 rub in the front when turning?

nope, in fact I also ran 235/75/15’s on 8” wide rims on the same truck with no issues.

 

[Redbeard1714]

nope, in fact I also ran 235/75/15’s on 8” wide rims on the same truck with no issues.

Ok thank you I am getting a 95 and the 14 inch tires are bad on it. And I can get 15 easier then 14.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Ok thank you I am getting a 95 and the 14 inch tires are bad on it. And I can get 15 easier then 14.

On my '97 I've ran up to 235 75 15's, worked fine other than being too tall for the 2.3L (if flat land would be fine), I really like the 225 70 15 for a daily driver...