Wheel & Tire Question

[Kawboy]

I have a 95 Ranger 2 wheel drive single cab with 2.3 EFI. I'm due for tires. Most my driving is highway, with towing a small jon boat on my day's off work. The wheel's are 14 inch. Before I buy new tires, I'm thinking about going to 15 inch wheel's. I'm told this will give me better mileage on the highway, but I'll lose some torque and what little performance I have. I've heard this can increase my wheel well clearance by anywhere from 1 to 4 inches depending on the tire. Will I have to do a lift or any other mod going to a 15 inch wheel? Any tire size recommendation that will work without a lift? Or should I stay with the 14's?

PS: I don't like low profile tires.

 

[BlackBII]

It depends on the tire size (diameter), not the wheel size.

You can get the same size tires as far diameter goes for both 14 and 15 inch wheels.

You will get better mileage with a larger tire because you motor is not spinning as fast at highway speed (to an certain extent)

You will gain torque with a smaller tire because it essentially 'lowers' your overall gear ratio.

 

[Kawboy]

Thanx BBII. So you'd recommend just going with a taller sidewall, if I understood that correctly.

By the way, love the XS 1100. Had a midnite special back in the day. S&W suspension cafe bar's and a smoked tracy fairing. Loved that bike! Hated it when the GS 1100's came out though. They'd clean my clock!!!

 

[BlackBII]

If your looking for more axle clearance and lower RPMs on the highway, then yes a taller tire. (be prepared to sacrifice some 'power' tho, although, you may not even notice, it depends on how large of a tire you get)

And thanks! Yeah, I actually used to have a GS1100 before I got my XS, the thing hauled, but the motor blew, so I picked up the XS for cheap and rebuilt it.

 

[ceraboy]

You really do not want to go too large a tire without changing the differential ratios. Yes your vehicle will run at lower RPMs, but lower rpms on a 4 banger does not alway neccesitate better mileage. These 2.3L like higher rpms to stay in their most efficient power band, so excessively large tires will not only decrease your starting and stopping efficiency but you will be lucky if your mileage does not drop.

On the 2WD rangers the common 235/75-15 is great sized all around tire. (I run them on my 87 ranger with a 3.73 rearend) You wont need to raise the vehicle or pay and arm and leg for rubber either. First gear is a bit more sluggish, and I have less need to use 5th gear altogether unless on the highway.