Tire question?

[88ranger5speed]

I have an 88 ranger with a 3 inch body lift and leveling coils in the front and one inch blocks in the rear. I'm looking at bf Goodrich 33x10.50r15s. My biggest question is will they fit? And I know I need an allignment...

it's 35 inches from ground to wheel arch with 235/75r15

the current tires are about 28 inches tall and 9 inches wide. I just want second opinions.

 

[JoshT]

To the top of the wheel well you'll be okay. The issue is the lower corners of the wheel well, forward and aft of the tire. If your current tire is about a 28, you will be gaining 5 inches in diameter, which means it will extend about 2.5" further from the center of the wheel. Then you still need to leave clearance for suspension travel and turning. From the picture angles you posted, I don't think it's going to work. I'm sure someone with more knowledge of tire fitment on a first gen will pitch in, but it might not be quick as this is a holiday weekend.

According to the article in the tech library, you will need a 3" body lift and 4" suspension lift to clear 33s on a first gen. You might be able to get away with 31" tires as is, or 32s f you want to start cutting fenders. Personally I think a 31 would look pretty good on there and it'd be easier to turn than a 33, but that's not the opinion that you asked for.

 

[88ranger5speed]

31's is what I want but my supervisor at work says I need 33's. Which I would like to agree. But I've only got 5 inches of lift in the front and 4 in the rear total. And you can get away with 6 inches of lift. He had a 2007 ranger 2wd and somehow stuffed 31's under it stock.

 

[JoshT]

31's is what I want but my supervisor at work says I need 33's.

Is it his truck? No! Is he paying for it? No! Can you tell him where to shove it? Maybe not, buy you can definitely drop a hint.

He had a 2007 ranger 2wd and somehow stuffed 31's under it stock.

On a later model Ranger (I'm referring to 98+) that's actually easy , even more so if he had a torsion bar suspension on it. The wheel well on 93+ Rangers is a different size and shape than the square body trucks. While it may not actually be larger, the opening is shaped different which allows for a larger tire to be installed for the same amount of lift.

I can guarantee that your 88 on 31s will be more capable than his 2007 on 33s.

 

[88ranger5speed]

Where do you guys get allignments? Nobody will touch mine because it's modified.

 

[88ranger5speed]

I've always want 31's but 33's are even better. Maybe I'll get a 4 inch suspension lift one day and upgrade. But now I can get goodyear wrangler trailmarks for 560 out the door at work.

 

[jhammel85]

How about 32s? Your lift is exactly what I'm putting together and I plan to do 32s. I THINK it will work.

 

[88ranger5speed]

I can't find many 32s. I work at a tire place!

 

[88ranger5speed]

Is yours a 2wd? I did find some bfg's t/a ko in 32x11.50s. If those would work I'd be happy.

 

[JoshT]

Bfg and fallen both make 32s. Still not sure those would fit.

 

[jhammel85]

No im 4x4. Sorry, i may have missed that you're 2wd.

Honestly, if i have trouble, I'm going to go with 31 x 10s. Good enough for me.

 

[88ranger5speed]

I think that's what I'm going with. Either goodyear wrangler trailmarks or bfg rugged terrain. I can bring home gy for 560 or bfgs for 620.

 

[lvwill]

I have a 92 4x4 with 4" suspension lift and f150 coil spacers in the front and just belltech shackles in the rear. 33 x 1250 grabbers fit pretty good until stuffed then rub the rear of the wheel opening pretty good. Another thing to consider is the gearing, I regeared to 4:88 not cheap but well worth the investment. Basically you should have a plan in place when you get your tires and be prepared for a little extra expense.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

ivwill brings up a good point; gear ratio. What is your ratio right now, and have you given thought to the ratio you will need to suit your new tire size? When I changed my tires on n my b-2 to 31" I immediately lost oomph and gas mileage went down until I changed ratios. I had 3.45 gears with 205/75/15 and put in 4.10 gears to bring everything back to close to stock feeling. I suspect that you will need 4.56 or 4.88 ratio with the 33's. You can find 4.10 geared rear axles fairly easily but not the other numbers I suggested. And seeing that you are a broke-ass student [it says that in your profile...sorta ] you should really think about using 31's. JMHO
Good luck,

Richard

 

[88ranger5speed]

Well not much anymore. I work at Walmart tire lube express and am making more money now. I have thought it through. 4.10s or 3.73s with a limited slip. It has 3.08s right with the 235/75 15s and it really hasn't effected much besides 1 mpg I think. I just wanted to know if they would fit. I don't want to cut my fenders or anything like that. I wanna get an 8.8 inch rear end and if I have to regear it I will. The 7.5 inch just isn't gonna cut it with those size meats. Any front end parts I should upgrade to handle them better?