The time has come to change my tires on my 1997 Ford Ranger 4.0L.
I know the original equipment was either 215 75r15 or 235 75r15?

I have 235s on my truck now.

Its a winter truck and a mild hauler. Nothing crazy. Does the smaller tire make dollar sense for me as well as serve my driving and usage habits? Or do I stay with the 235s. Currently rolling with BF Commercial T/As. They are loud but I never got stuck anywhere.

Input will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

I changed out my 99's OEM Firestone Wilderness HT 225-70/15-100S for the same specified size & service, Michelin LTX-M&S last fall.

The LTX-M&S did just fine unloaded in light snow this past winter & heavy rain this spring.

I've towed the 175 BassTracker in the mountains this Spring & they did just fine. Sidewall is stiff enough to provide really good handeling in the mountains, but still gives a nice quiet controlled, firm, but not too stiff ride.
They also took much less weight to spin balance, than the OEM Firestone's.

The Michelin LTX-M&S wet traction & handeling has been better than the OEM tires & they are a little quieter on the road than the OEM Firestones & they were quiet, but the Firestones wet traction was sub par.

If you off road, or have heavy snow where you drive, maybe a more agressive/open tread would be better, or if you haul heavier loads, maybe a stiffer sidewall, like a 105-S should be considered.

Going with a stiffer sidewall, or more open tread, will make the road noise louder & unloaded ride stiffer & more bumpy.

I got my Michelins on special last fall at TireRack, for $74 ea & with shipping, mounting, balancing & installation at my local service station, came to about $89ea drive away price, which was WAY less than the best local tire house price I could get, as those size Michelins locally started at about $135 ea & that didn't include mounting, balancing, taxes & disposial fees.

So you might poke around TireRacks site for LT tires & read the user inputs on the tires your considering, before you buy.

I chose to stay with the specified size a service grade, as I liked the ride & performance I got & the Firestones had well over 60K on them & the tread still passed inspection, but at 10 years of age, they were due for replacement & I had gotten my use out of them.

Some tire thoughts for consideration, let us know what you decide on & how they do.

 

I would stay with 235's and seek a more aggressive tread such as on the Uniroyal Liberators. Good tire for a good price.

 

Im not sure why you say I should get a more aggressive tire tread if Im running it on road during the winter and for light hauling. When I think aggressive I think off road. The Bfs I have on the truck now are loud enough, I can only imagine what a more aggressive tread will sound like the firts time I roll down route 80 at 65mph!

My major decision lies in either 235s or 215s what are the real differences?
Thanks

 

Well if you only drive on paved roads & only haul light loads & winter snow & ice aren't concerns for you, then a heavier tire, with more agressive tread isn't likely needed.

The main differences between the sizes you mentioned are likely to be in cost, load carrying ability, ride comfort, rolling resistance, weight of the tire (which can affect ride & suspension part life) & looks on the vehicle.

The LTX-M&S Michelins I mentioned are agressive & open enough tread for light snow or mud, are good for heavy rain, but roll quietly & transmit low noise through the carcass into the cab.

So if low noise, good road manners, handeling, long tread life are most important to you, then look for tires with those attributes, that the owners are satisfied with, on Tire Rack.

Read the reviews from owners. & also note the scores on the attributes that are most important to you & the total reported number of miles folks have driven on the particular tire in the right most tire review colum & stay with the specified tire size listed on the vehicles door sticker & you'll likely be satisfied with your purchase.

More tire thoughts for pondering.

 

The oem tire size is on a sticker on the driver side door or in the door jamb.

I would stick with the 235's if they were the oem size.

.

 

i would stick with the 235's also. cooper discoverers arent a bad tire for the price and they look pretty decent too

 

Thanks for the input. I figured I would stay with the 235s I just wanted to see the pros and cons for both. As for the tire I chose? Goodyear Wrangler Radials.

They cost me 385 total, mounted, balanced and all taxes and disposal. I was looking at close to $500 for BFs which I can't say I was too pleased with anyway so I hope they work well.

 

Try to stay with the 235s, they have got to be one of the most common sizes available. Somewhere in all those choices has got to be the tire that fits your needs. Toyo open country are good quiet tires, however, their tread life leaves something to be desired.

 

ZMAN, that is a beautiful ranger. It has a brilliant shine. I know, I just had to comment.

 

ha thanks man i appreciate it. im diggin the dually