tire fit

[redxlt]

Ok after asking a lot of questions and some searching on the web and this site I bought some General OWL 235/75/15 tires to go on my 86 ranger. My truck is and will remain stock. I didnt install the wheels at the dealer because I needed to do a brake job and I didnt want to take th wheels off . I was looking at the wheels when I got home and all i can say is Damn they are big. Can anyone assure me they will fit on my truck without any cutting /mods? I have been told they will fit but just putting the wheel up next to the well I am not so sure. Is this an illusion or am I seeing things? It doesnt look like they would fit if I took the fenders off. Any help/encouragement/kind words would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[strvger]

you should have no problems at all with your stock wheels and that size tire. they will tuck onto your wheel wells nicely. assuming you aren't rock crawling or mud running you will not notice any thing more than better traction with the new shoes.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Yeah I put 235's under mine with no lift and its an 84. Unless you have a 2wd truck then you would need to lift then.

alot of people don't think its going to fit when they put it up against the other tire and it touches the fenders, but you need to look at the location of the hub to where your rims lug holes are. there should be an extra 2-3" of space minimum between your tire and fenders.

 

[redxlt]

I have a 2 WD truck. Now What?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

small lift? You can get a cheap 2-3" body lift and they you could fit the tires no problem. Although I would be concerned aobut the gearing you have in your axle then because I had 235's on my truck with 3.73's and it wasn't bad but kinda sufferd on steep hills.

 

[redxlt]

could I not get some different spring for the front and then get a rear end lift kit and that be ok?

 

[feellnfroggy]

You can but its not necessary, f150 springs and retainers and explorer springs for the rear with 2 inch drop shackles, but totally unnecessary. Read the other posts that are very similar to this, and check out the photo section and the hundreds of guys running 235's with your body style and no lift. r1hatman has the setup I just mentioned and hes running 31's almost a full 2 inches bigger...

 

[Original_Ranger84]

You can but its not necessary, f150 springs and retainers and explorer springs for the rear with 2 inch drop shackles, but totally unnecessary. Read the other posts that are very similar to this, and check out the photo section and the hundreds of guys running 235's with your body style and no lift. r1hatman has the setup I just mentioned and hes running 31's almost a full 2 inches bigger...

Yeah but he is running a 2wd and that won't have enough space to fit them without a lift.

 

[redxlt]

A 2" lift is a 2" lift. It doesnt matter wher it came from does it? Just as long as its a 2" lift or more.

 

[strvger]

buy a 3 inch body lift. cheap, relatively easy, doesn't change the ride or handling at all, gives you more room to work underneath.
just a thought.

 

[redxlt]

Ok After it warmed up a bit today I started working on the truck. I had to track down some lug nuts ,washers and such Finally got it all together and it was cooling down and windy. I jacked up the front of the truck took off the old wheels. Took a deep breath and installed the new ones. I slowly let it down until the jack was clear and I got up to take a look. I was pleasantly surprised. The wheel FITS no rub no stress/strain or anything it is clear thru the whole turn process. I did not install any lift kit any F150 springs or anything like that. It fits without any mods whatsoever. I would have never thought that. Iam not sure about the rear I havent got there yet. I took some pics to post after I finish. Thanks to all of you who answered my questions . Without the response I would still be wondering what to do. The one thing I dont understand though is why on one vehicle the tires fit and on others you have to modify the truck in some way or another? Mine is a 2wd and the clearance is about 3 " all the way thru the turn. Strange. Glad I didnt have to install a lift kit. Again thanks for the help. Pictures tomorrow . Before and after.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Ok After it warmed up a bit today I started working on the truck. I had to track down some lug nuts ,washers and such Finally got it all together and it was cooling down and windy. I jacked up the front of the truck took off the old wheels. Took a deep breath and installed the new ones. I slowly let it down until the jack was clear and I got up to take a look. I was pleasantly surprised. The wheel FITS no rub no stress/strain or anything it is clear thru the whole turn process. I did not install any lift kit any F150 springs or anything like that. It fits without any mods whatsoever. I would have never thought that. Iam not sure about the rear I havent got there yet. I took some pics to post after I finish. Thanks to all of you who answered my questions . Without the response I would still be wondering what to do. The one thing I dont understand though is why on one vehicle the tires fit and on others you have to modify the truck in some way or another? Mine is a 2wd and the clearance is about 3 " all the way thru the turn. Strange. Glad I didnt have to install a lift kit. Again thanks for the help. Pictures tomorrow . Before and after.

Well sweet, I would still reccomend putting a little bit of lift on it and yes a 2" lift is a 2" lift but a body lift is a solid 2" lift cause it raises the body and gives 2" of lift without actually changing out suspension parts and stuff, 2 inches of suspension lift will give you 2" of lift but when you take corners and bumps the tire can still travel up and hit the fender and what not if it flexes enough. but since the tires seem tp fit fine I would just get to it when you can.

Also the back tires should fit just fine, in rangers it seems that you can always get atleast 1 or 2 sizes larger tiers in the back then the front.

Also everybodies trucks are different thats why some tires won't fit their truck but will fit yours, a 2wd truck generally sits about 3-4" lower to the ground then a 4x4 truck. Also some people have more worn out suspensions that make the truck sit lower or the have fresh suspensions that allow them to fit larger then average tires... ect ect.

Lets see some pics!

 

[redxlt]

I was very near offering my truck for sale before the tires in front went on. I am 64 and I in no way want to lift anything 2" other than my evening coffee. I will have to think long and hard before I decide to lift it. The truck is for short around town trips to pick up stuff my wife wants me to fix or something else and thats it. I am old school and doing a lift is not old school for me. No offense to anyone . Just some mags and big tires a mean sound out the exhaust and super clean paint job is where I am at. Lift? Just coffee. LOL

Pics tomorrow when the tires get on it.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Hahaha yeah thats all good, most people that put larger tires on usually intend for off roading and stuff but if its a town truck then you'll be fine with what you got cause it seems like they fit fine and you won't be hitting major bumps or anything.

 

[redxlt]

If my truck ever goes off road it will be because I fell asleep at the wheel.