Totally confuse about tire size

[redxlt]

I have a 1986 xlt I am wanting to install new tires. I have a set of American Racing 15" rims 8" wide. Without doing any major modifications to the wheel well what size tire will fit ? I was told earlier that 205/75/15s would work. Or even 235s would be ok. I went to get tires today and was told the 205s wont seal and the sidewall on the 235 bow out to the point where I was told they will rub. I have to get like jeep tread tires to work but they rub. So what size tires do you have and what issues did you have finding some that would work. I had them install Douglas,and a set of Wrangler tires, so they are out of the picture.I was of the assumption any 15" tire would work. It seemed that the 235s would work on the rear but I am so confused I dont know. So, please help . Thanks

 

[strvger]

you're rims are too wide for many standard passenger car size tires. without a lift and going to 31/10.50x15 tires, i'm not sure. sounds like you'll end up with something like 255/45x15 if they make them... or a similar very low profile street tire depending on the backspace of your wheels. if you have to use these rims, you're kinda stuck. if you get a set of 15x7 inch rims with the standard offset, you'll find a much greater selection of tires to choose from.
just my $.02.

 

[redxlt]

tire confused

I was told that a 235/70/15 would be ok . any comments?

 

[strvger]

go here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Metric_To_Inch_Tires.html

put in your size and it will tell you that the tires are only 1.3 inches wider than your wheels. that is not what i would do at all. just over half an inch on each side of the rim is not enough in my book, but that's just me. actually the dealer you are working with should calculate the tire size you need with those wheels you have.
good luck with the tires.

 

[redxlt]

obviously this dealer is an idiot or close to it. Is there a standard width for tires to be when installed. Or is it just what one likes? And why does it matter as long as they are larger than the wheel in width that is?

 

[GMillion$]

There is no standard tire width or tire width/rim width combos - just manufacturer's and people's/shop's recomendations.

Go for the 235/74/15's. I ran some on a 2wd nissan pickup with the t-bars cranked on 7" wide rims and they were fine. An 8 inch rim will work just the same. To me a little bit of rub is worth a bigger tire any day of the week!!

Also, after selling the truck to a mexican friend of mine, we slammed it and found some 8" wide steelies that we mounted 205/65/15 tires on.

We actually mounted the tires ourselves and it was scary as **** gettin em to seat, but it worked and they held air and drove fine untill he ditched em for some 17" caddy wheels.

 

[Sawbladz]

I was told that a 235/70/15 would be ok . any comments?

What is your suspension setup? By the way you talk about the tire rubbing with the fender it seems like your truck might be lowered.

Here is my truck. 15x8, 3.75" backspacing and 235/75/15. It is not "bowed out". It fits properly and if anything this rim could take a wider truck tire. This is about the minimum width to have the tire not look too small on the rim and get a stretched look.

 

[redxlt]

tire size

I have a stock everything 86 Ranger. The rubbing I was only told that wheel rubbed I was not witness to it.

 

[jhammel85]

I drive an 87..Totally simlar to your truck. If you are a 4x4, you should be able to JUST clear 30x9.5R15's. I'm running a 15x8 Wheel with these on my truck with no lift. They rub just a hair in the front if the wheel is turned a certain degree and you flex the suspension just right. Overall it's perfectly fine. for light wheeling / Road driving.

 

[mhughes165]

my 87 ext cab had them stock, 235/75r15, i dont forsee why they would rub at all

 

[JohnnyO]

A 235 will fit on an 8" wheel, it'll just be kind of stretched. Whether or not it rubs depends mostly on the offset of the wheel.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have a stock everything 86 Ranger. The rubbing I was only told that wheel rubbed I was not witness to it.

I have 235/75-15's on my Ranger, originally with the factory 6 or 6-1/2" wide white wheels and now with aftermarket 7" wheels. They are 4" from the back of the rim to the mounting surface... they fit and look great IMO.

 

[redneckfordranger1986]

my 86 ranger came is 235 70 15s in the front and 235 75 15s in the rear . and i got cragar soft 8 wheels that came with my truck .. i now got 235 75 15s all the way around and they rub on the inner fender when i turn or hit a bump. .

 

[feellnfroggy]

on my 92 which was dimmensionally the same as your I ran 18x8 inch rims with 235/35/18's and had no issues, you can run 15x8 with a 235x70x15 no problem. 31's will rub real bad, but its a cheap fix. f150 springsup front and exploder springs in the rear with 2 " drop shackles no rubbin with 31's. In the rear of that 92 I ran 19x11's with 245/45/19's and I only rubbed on flex.

 

[redxlt]

I had the tires installed yesterday but not on the truck . I have to do a brake job and I didnt want to have to take them off. They look huge next to the wheel well. I hope they do fit or I am out a bunch of bucks.