I have a 1994 Ranger 4x2. It has 14 inch wheels and tires on it. This truck is my daily driver, and sees a fairly equal share of gravel and highway miles. What I would like to do is put 15 inch wheels on it, so that I can mount more aggressive-treaded tires, with perhaps a larger load-carrying capability, and would like to know if this would cause any major concerns.

The 14 inch tires are size P225/75R14, and I want to put size P235/75R15's on it. Most of the 14 inch tires I've found are straight-tread car tires, and I'm looking for something that has a more "M+S" tread. Since this truck is a 4cyl, I don't want to get too much bigger than the stock size, height-wise. I'm not looking to make the truck into a mudder, simply want some more choice in the tires I can put on it. Would wheels from a 4WD Ranger have the same bolt pattern and center as the 14's I have now?

Anybody have any experience doing this swap, and if so, was it worth it? I'd like to hear both pro's and con's, so by all means, do tell!


Thanks for any insights you can give me.


FF

 

The tire change you are looking at will be a larger tire that will result in a speedometer discrepancy that if the speedometer shows 70 you will actually be going 74. A new tire of 225/70/15 is only 9.11mm larger difference in circumference than your original tires. Go here for tire info; Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 2 of 2

 

FF,
I did a similar move with my '94, 4cyl., 5spd, 2X4.
I believe the 15" rims from a 4X4 Ranger, Bronco II or Explorer will bolt on to our '94 2X4.
I also didn't like the front rake (nose down) look of my truck so I installed a set of 1.5" coil spring spacers. The spacers helped the looks and gave me more tire clearance up front.

It's been nearly 10 years ago so I don't recall exactly what I got my set of 15" rims off of when I got them from the wrecking-yard. I cleaned up the used rims, gave them a fresh coat of rustoleum primer then black paint, and installed a set of Cooper Weather Master S/T-2, 235/75-15 tires on these rims. These tires are 29" tall and are about all that will fit up front and still have fender clearance for the occasional plowed field crossing. The rear tires have no problem with clearance.

In the summer I run the original aluminum 14" rims (I'm too cheap to get another set of rims) but I installed set of BFG/ TKOs 225/70-14. They are 27" tall and 8.5" wide. They do look smaller than my winter tires, but that's because they ARE smaller - but they're fine for me!

BarnieTrk

P.S.
Yeah, I do notice the speedo is reads slower than actual (maybe 5mph) with the taller tires, but I just move with traffic and it's never gotten me into trouble.

 

you might need to re-gear the rear end if you have a big difference in diameter. yes the 4x rims would work. if it seems slugglish and dropped in power with the bigger tires, regearing to a lower ratio will get you your power back. if you have 3.73's to start with you may be alright. if you have 3.55's or higher, id jump straight to 4.10's

 

So in other words to answer your question, YES you can run 15" rim without issue. Rangers came from the fractory with 15" and even 16" wheels.

 

Well, yeah sure -- because of the larger diameter tires you loose some gear multiplication which will reduce its pulling ability, quick acceleration, etc. But maybe a good thing is that you'll also realize that at highway speed the rpm will be lower and you'll get better fuel mileage. My 4-cyl '94 was OE with the 3.73 gears. For me and my applications, a gear change wasn't even considered. Your final gearing ratio needs may require otherwise.

Well, yes, some Rangers came with 15" rims. But the suspension on a 4x4 Ranger also sits higher which provides for taller tires. Also realize that you can mount shorter (195) 15" tires or taller (235) 15" tires on 15" rims....so the point here is to simply realize that if you install a tall tire it may rub in the front. So measure the top/right/left wheelwell clearances you have with the tires you have now, then you'll know how big you can go.

BarnieTrk

 

As my signature indicates, I'm using 225-70/14 Bridgestones. These tires have a moderately aggressive tread and wear well. Check the Bridgestone web site for pictures and more info on the tire. They are sold thru Sears only. My tires are actually one size oversize for my truck, but i have had no clearance problems with them.

 

I run 235-65 15's on a 94 4.0 SC with man trans. The engine has no problem pulling the tires, as with anything when you make a change it may not be for the better. I run 150 miles RT daily get 20-21 mpg my spedo is off (slow) by about 5 mph 65=70, the odometer is of 4 miles for every 100. I got some aluminum after market wheels only about $50 ea, but depending on where you get (rims + tires) the shop may give ya a break. The 4x4 ranger wheels will work as will I beleive those off a jeep, some toyota and a few more.

 

i have been wanting to do a tire upgrade as well.. i want to go 15 or 16 inch.. i have been looking for some takeoffs from an exlporer or ranger to use.. sounds like they should work.. i'm interested in where i can get the spring spacer? what do those cost? i also thought about upgrading my shocks to a better set.. any suggestions without modificaton/lift? my ranger is the 97 4cyl 5 speed.. but i'm always on gravel and driving down dirt roads/fields..

 

RedU,
At first I thought my saggy front end was due to tired coil springs. I bought new coil springs and there was NO change to the front height. So, I bought the 1.5" coil spring spacers. Back in 2000, I paid $79.95 for them from Rough Country. I just wanted to level out the truck and allow a taller tire. Although I didn't need to mess with a lowered pitman arm or longer brake lines, or such, it did affect my front end alignment some and it did cause some outside edge tire wear over time (eventhough the literature said it wouldn't). But nevertheless, I have no regrets. I did go with some longer, working-length front shocks though. I think they were NAPA #94203, which may be obsolete now, you may want to go with NAPA #31029 shocks, which are close to the same stroke as the #94203 shock.

Good Luck!
BarnieTrk

 

thanks Barnie.. i will look into the shocks and springs.

 

You can put a set of spring spacers on the front if you need to for the taller tires, there cheap. A 4 cylinder ranger should have at least 4:10 gears anyway. 3:73 is a wuss gear, ok for a highway cruiser, but a real truck needs tire and gears hee hee.