Rims/tires suggestions

[Jmacsellnu]

I have a 99 ranger XLT extended cab step side. I want the widest and tallest rims/tire setup I can get on stock suspension. What recommendations does anyone have?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

2wd or 4wd?

If 2wd does have a coil spring (normal 2wd) or torsion bar front suspension (like an Edge or Trailhead)?

 

[Jmacsellnu]

4x4 off road

 

[rumblecloud]

31X10.5R15LT
this is for my stock 94 extended cab stepside Splash. It will fill the wheel wells nicely without rubbing. Yours should be close. Others will have suggestions too, so be patient.

Welcome to TRS

 

[MikeG]

Might post engine, transmission, and axle gear ratio, plus the tire size that it came with stock. Just because it will fit, does not make it a good idea, performance-wise.

May cause yourself some other problems just stuffing larger tires under it.

 

[Jmacsellnu]

It has the 3.0 V6. Everything is stock on it. The truck only has 66k original miles. Not sure of stock tire size. It has the 17 inch wheels.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Check the door tag... it should tell you factory tire size and also axle code to to find the gear ratio.

Are you sure they aren't 16 inch wheels? Not sure these ever had 17 inch wheel from the factory

 

[gaz]

Jmac,

Though not intimately familiar with a 99, I believe staying with 15's is a money move. For future flexibility, 15x8 wheels are a good move but if you know that your going to go bigger a nice set of 15x10 wheels will look great and accommodate most any future tire upgrade.

I originally bought a set of steel 15x8, I still have them, their strong, strait but look like poo. I have since come to own two sets of Aluminum 15x10's and I really like what they bring to the driving experience ..)

Either move can work well, my used set of steelies cost $50, so the value is very hard to beat.

As far as tires go, if your still in VA and planning to off road I like these;

Interco Super Swamper TSL Bias, SAM-12

I used to be a died in the wool radial tire fan but these past 16 years I've had nothing but bias plys and really like what offer to the driving experience. They just seem tougher and feel better driving on.

The Interco SS TSL Bias is well suited to abuse, wet, snow, dirt and mud. Sand...not so much. They will hold their tread a long, long time.

Despite my Interco speel I am currently using Mickey Thompson Baja Claws for wet and Baja Belted for dry; where I live, the belteds are almost a liability, unless I'm in the dunes, then, they are KING!

I had a very good experience with a set of Pirelli's Radials for primarily road driving; the set has over 80kmi on them with only approaching half tread depth worn. Their rubber compound is perfect for cool/wet, translation, the Pacific Northwest.

 

[sgtsandman]

31X10.5 is pretty much the biggest you can go. Wheels, they will fit on 15X6 but you can go wider. I’m not sure what the limit is. I’m pretty sure my stock rims are 6” and the tires seem to fit fine.

The comment about the axle gearing is a good one. With my 4.0 SOHC and 3.73:1 gears, the truck can be a bit under powered. It’s going to be more exaggerated with a 3.0. I would recommend looking at re gearing to 4.10 or 4.56 if you are going to go with that tire size. 4.10 might be fine if you live in a flat area. 4.56 if you live in a hilly area.

 

[4x4junkie]

TSLs aren't a good idea if you do a lot of highway driving (vibration, noise, wear). Indeed, they're darn near unstoppable off road though.

Tallest tire that will fit stock (depending on your wheel size):

33x10.50R15
265/75R16

Both (in real life) are right about 32.6" - 32.8" tall, and require you use the stock wheels (or ones with equivalent offset). For wider wheels, you'll have to go a bit smaller on tire size to keep them from rubbing when you turn (31x10.50R15 or 245/75R16)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tech Library Don't forget to check out the Tire / Wheel / Brake section of the Tech Library. TIRES Whats the largest tire I can fit on my Ranger/Explorer/Bronco II? Stock trucks: 4x4 Rangers & all Explorer & Bronco II: For '83-'92 4x4 Rangers and all Bronco II, you can fit up to a 30x9.50R15...

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Josiah Morgan]

What sets of wheels and tires did you eventually install on this truck? I'm checking 4wheelonline for a new tire kit for my 2006 Ranger. For the moment, I'm caught between Cooper Discoverer AT3 and Hankook Dynapro AT2. I would appreciate it if someone could share his experience on those tires.

 

[Saxwing1988]

If it’s 4x4 i honestly like 15s maybe 17s but this is what I went with but I still haven’t decided what tire or what size I’m gonna go with for them oh and 17s you have a lot better options as far as finding used tires