tire size substitute

[palu]

Hi all. I've been running 225/70/14 factory stock size tires on my '93 Ranger and am ready for new rubber and wow, the pond is drying up! The 225/70/14 I can find are running $115+ a tire - too rich for this old transport. Anyone know of a size that would work without having to get a second job to pay for them?
Thanks guys

 

[brokemechanic3000]

Sorry man that is how much tires cost these days. you might try the used tire places or shop online for cheap import tires. So start saving up

 

[Surrey]

Used tires are probably your best bet. Whenever I've looked, I've found something nice for $60 a piece at most. (except when I bought my 31x10.50s, I paid $280 installed for them, which I guess is $70 a piece.)

 

[fix_or_repair_daily]

205 75 14

Same height so the speedo will still be correct, just not as wide. That's what I put on my 93 beater.

 

[hank857]

Get some cheap 15 inch wheels and a set of tires. SOme 15's out of a wrecking yard and the tires are cheaper. If its more than just a beater find some 16's they are a little cheaper than the 14's that why I went to 15 inch rims some years ago. The tire shop told me 14's are going to be hard to get due to the newer wheel sizes.

Have you looked at walmart?

 

[Surrey]

Get some cheap 15 inch wheels and a set of tires. SOme 15's out of a wrecking yard and the tires are cheaper. If its more than just a beater find some 16's they are a little cheaper than the 14's that why I went to 15 inch rims some years ago. The tire shop told me 14's are going to be hard to get due to the newer wheel sizes.

Have you looked at walmart?

Many smaller cars come standard with 14" wheels.

Basically any sub-compact thats a low-end model... Mazda 2, Ford Fiesta, Chevy Cobalt, civics and corollas probably...

15s are not any cheaper. Maybe easier to find used, but certainly not cheaper new.

 

[tmcalavy]

If you're hauling stuff, you need to respect the load range on the tires you have now...the 225's. If not and you just need new rubber for your daily driver, you might check out tirepros.com or tirebuyer.com...not endorsing either one or the other. I was in the same boat and just bought 2 Kelley Explorer Plus 195X75X14's for the front of my Ranger. I had 225X70X14's all around but I new the back tires wouldn't pass inspection again, so I put the fronts on the rear and put the new tires on the front...cost me about $222, tax, etc., included. That's about $83 somethin per tire, plus the raping you take to mount, balance, and have them over-torque your lugs these days. I never let them charge me the tire disposal fee, no matter how small...I take my old ones home for other uses. You can get cheaper Goodyear's at Wallyword, but they really put it to you in the extra fees and you get a crap tire, too. The knew tires I got are only about 3/4 inch shorter than the old tires and they ride/steer real nice...but I don't haul anything except the wife and Lab when we go on trail running expeditions. Junkyard tires and rims are really sketchy...you never know how old or injured or beat up they are until you put them in use, and then your life can be at stake in the wrong circumstances...it's worth it to spend a little for new rubber after you shop around a little. I found my local tire shop thru one of the sites I listed above...as a recommended installer, which really surprised me cause we live in the sticks. Oh yeah, some places these days won't touch your vehicle and tires if you try to put on a tire with a lower load rating than is recommended for your vehicle, or what is marked on your vehicle VIN sticker...damn lawyers.

 

[Mark_88]

For the last several years I've been buying used tires from the junkyard. It can be a crap shoot sometimes and I've bought a few that looked good till you mounted them. Also went to a 15" rim for a better ride and run 205/70/15s on them.

The load rating can make a difference but as others have said it doesn't matter so much if you don't overload the truck.

But when buying used tires always check the manufacture date...don't buy anything older than a few years if possible...mine right now were all made in 2008 and even that is pushing things...so 2010 and later would be best for a few years...

 

[adsm08]

$115 a piece is a cheap tire anymore. I've seen a few hankooks that still go for 80-something, but they are really not worth having because they are so crappy.

I get my 215/75/15 BFGs for $120 a piece, but I also get them at $10 over cost through work.

 

[fix_or_repair_daily]

205 75 14

Same height so the speedo will still be correct, just not as wide. That's what I put on my 93 beater.

Here's what I put on mine. $64.50 a piece at Wally world. I Don't really like Goodyear tires, but they seem to be wearing very well. Can't beat them for the price I think. Just note, they won't install them for you because they are not the factory tire size. I just bought them and mounted them myself.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Goodyear-Viva-2-Tire-P205-75R14-95S/22025148

 

[dinosore]

I get my 215/75/15 BFGs for $120 a piece, but I also get them at $10 over cost through work.

I got a set of 215/75/15 bfg a/t ko's for $125 a piece and thats not with a hook up of any sort. Which for the quality of tire $125 is a deal to me