Largest tired a 2.0l can handle

[Joel34]

I just purchased a 1986 ranger with the small 2.0l 4 banger with a 5 speed manual. I'm in high school so with out spending too much money I wanted to put larger tired on it. I was wondering if anyone knew how big I could go without putting too much strain on the engine.



Wheel size,ford ranger, 2.0l,

 

[Mark_88]

Hi Joel, and welcome to TRS~!

Aside from what the 2.0 can push around, the restriction on the tire size without rubbing inner fenders or other body parts is probably around a 235/15...maybe a bit bigger like 245/15...you've probably got 14" rims on it if it is in stock configuration so not sure what sizes are available for 14"...I heard somewhere that they were doing away with 14" tires for trucks altogether (for Canada maybe).

As for what the engine will push...depends on how tired the engine is...as in how many miles and how much punishment it took over the years.

Part of that depends on what rear gears you have...and you can find that out a few ways, but the easiest way is to look for a sticker in the door that tells you the axel size...maybe in code like 86 or 87...but there is a chart in the Tech Article section that tells you how to read those codes.

And I guess it depends on what you plan to do with those tires...and whether you should be doing that for any length of time...mostly because you can wear out or break that little 2.0 much faster in some ways as others...

Sorry, I can't give a straight up answer for your question because there are just too many variables...someone else might pop off an anwer for you though...but give us more information and we can guide you better...

 

[straycat]

I would just keep the same size tires. If you really are looking for cooler looks swap out the wheels, or paint them...maybe all black or do something you really would like the looks of. If you are in school and getting good gas mileage right now, I would not swap to any larger or taller tires than you have now. Keep the gas mileage the same and the power ratio the same. Adding larger/taller tires can cause things to break and you need something reliable right now. Later on when money is flowing in, fix it up the way you want to. That is what I had to do when I was younger.

 

[Dprocks100]

First, it depends on what gears you have at the moment. Do as Mark_88 says and look up your axle code. you don't want to be putting larger tires on an axle ratio that cant take it. Thats the fastest way to break something or kill your little 2.0. I use this page a lot when trying to find what tires are best for my ratio or ratio for my tires. I personally try to stay in the high green areas as to not put too much strain on my engine as I have the 2.3.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/gearandtirechart.shtml

The next thing is that the tires have to fit in the space you have. First and second gen 2wd don't have a lot of room to run "bigger" tires, or a size needed to fit an all terrain style tire. anything over a 225/70r15 is going to rub, some people have mannaged to fit 235/75/r15, but I rubbed with 215/70r15 when I hit speed bumps and such. 4x4 gives you a bit more room, but not a whole lot more.

Probably just a good idea to run what you have until you can lift the truck or regear the axle.

 

[don4331]

Joel34:

3 questions:

1. 2wd/4wd?
2. Define bigger tires: wider? taller? both?
3. Budget (time/money/ability)? Are you willing/able to swap gears?

 

[enjr44]

First, it depends on what gears you have at the moment. Do as Mark_88 says and look up your axle code. I use this page a lot when trying to find what tires are best for my ratio or ratio for my tires. I personally try to stay in the high green areas as to not put too much strain on my engine as I have the 2.3.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/gearandtirechart.shtml

Probably just a good idea to run what you have until you can lift the truck or regear the axle.

If you (or anyone) PM me with email address, I will send you a little excel spreadsheet that will calculate tire diameter from tire size and give you engine rpm with various diff gear ratios using those tires.

 

[Joel34]

Joel34:

3 questions:

1. 2wd/4wd?
2. Define bigger tires: wider? taller? both?
3. Budget (time/money/ability)? Are you willing/able to swap gears?

2wd I would like both and I wouldn't really love to swap gears but if I had to I suppose I would. Time isn't an issue and around 300-400$ I guess.

 

[cody93]

on a bone stock 2wd gen 1 ranger, ive been able to fit 235/75/15s with only minor rubbing when turning while flexing the suspension, normal road use and strait lines pose no problems.. but 225/70/15 are probly the best, i highly recomend finding a 4.10 ratio axel if you have a 2.0, it'll be ALOT more peppy-er...