Yet another "I want bigger tires" thread

[thatdarnranger]

Here's the deal. I've got Bilstein's up front that give my 2WD Ranger 2.9 inches of lift up there. I'm currently running 265 / 70 / 17's. I actually use my truck offroad and the guys at my local 4WP shop are discouraging me from trying to go any larger to avoid rubbing during full articulation. That said...I'm seeing post after post and tons of pictures of Rangers running up to 285's without serious modification. Sooo what's the real deal? I'm trying to go as large as I can because honestly I think these 265's look rather small. Optical illusion due to longbed config? Who knows. Either way I want MOAR TIRE. What say you, Ranger Gods?

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[9zero1790]

i think to go much bigger like the 285s you get into crash bar modifications etc. you may be able to get away with something like a 255 80 17. taller but a lil less width. id guess crash bars would need removal or after market etc.

 

[thatdarnranger]

i think to go much bigger like the 285s you get into crash bar modifications etc. you may be able to get away with something like a 255 80 17. taller but a lil less width. id guess crash bars would need removal or after market etc.

Quite possibly. I'm not looking to get rid of or modify this ARB Summit winch bumper...ever. Too expensive and functional but I get what you're saying.

 

[RangerPNW]

To squeeze 285's in there, you'll need to remove or install higher clearance crash bars. The latter option being the more recommended.

 

[Frenchy]

My Ranger has Firestone Destination XT's in 285/70-17 on factory wheels and no spacera. I did move the crash bars a little(simply loosened and pushed) and also run the Old Man EMU lift. I only rubbed at full lock. Other then that I was fine.

 

[amick1995]

I’ve got a lifted tremor and I’m planning on running a 285/75/r17 soon. I don’t have front crash bars, as my AFN bumper took care of those, I will be putting in high clearance rear crash bars.
From my measurements they should fit. The tremor wheels have a +42 offset and if needed I have 1.5” spacers

 

[thatdarnranger]

Thanks for the suggestions, gents. I'm having the shop do a test fit next Friday. They concurred on the wheel spacers. I just got my 600 lb constant load Old Man Emu leaf springs installed since we carry heavy loads while overlanding. She definitely needs bigger tires now.

 

[awd.nv]

Thanks for the suggestions, gents. I'm having the shop do a test fit next Friday. They concurred on the wheel spacers. I just got my 600 lb constant load Old Man Emu leaf springs installed since we carry heavy loads while overlanding. She definitely needs bigger tires now.

So you have the front set up with 2.9" of lift and the truck still has that amount of rake with the new springs? Were there any other mods needed? Driveshaft length ok?

I do agree, you need some tall tires in there now.

 

[Frenchy]

So you have the front set up with 2.9" of lift and the truck still has that amount of rake with the new springs? Were there any other mods needed? Driveshaft length ok?

I do agree, you need some tall tires in there now.

Even with that amount of rake the driveshaft will be fine. My truck is more or less the same. The only difference is I had the standard load springs. Since the OP has constant weight in the rear it was a good choice to do that. Also he will have an advantage over most here with places he can go thanks to the lift.

 

[Msfitoy]

Here's the deal. I've got Bilstein's up front that give my 2WD Ranger 2.9 inches of lift up there. I'm currently running 265 / 70 / 17's. I actually use my truck offroad and the guys at my local 4WP shop are discouraging me from trying to go any larger to avoid rubbing during full articulation. That said...I'm seeing post after post and tons of pictures of Rangers running up to 285's without serious modification. Sooo what's the real deal? I'm trying to go as large as I can because honestly I think these 265's look rather small. Optical illusion due to longbed config? Who knows. Either way I want MOAR TIRE. What say you, Ranger Gods?

285/70-17 without removing crash bars and 2+" front lift is possible...just won't be able to crank full lock...pretty useless for off road...

 

[Frenchy]

285/70-17 without removing crash bars and 2+" front lift is possible...just won't be able to crank full lock...pretty useless for off road...

And yet I did not remove my factory crash bars and did just fine. Only at full lock would I run but if I backed off a hair it was fine. Tell me again how that is considered useless offroad again?

 

[Msfitoy]

And yet I did not remove my factory crash bars and did just fine. Only at full lock would I run but if I backed off a hair it was fine. Tell me again how that is considered useless offroad again?

That's what I mean...you can't use full lock...I drove around for a month with 285 without removing my bars and it was annoying as hell being turn limited...makes parking a PIA...but if loosing a degree of maneuverability isn't a bother then you've save the hassle of removing the bars...not useless but still a PIA IMO...?

 

[thatdarnranger]

So you have the front set up with 2.9" of lift and the truck still has that amount of rake with the new springs? Were there any other mods needed? Driveshaft length ok?

I do agree, you need some tall tires in there now.

The rake is a bit more than what it was stock when the bed is empty like in the picture above. Nothing crazy, and it flattens out nicely with our full overland load. No other mods needed. Driveshaft length is fine. They did say that I *should* put some aftermarket upper control arms on there at some point. It'll give me a bit more travel up front as a bonus.

As far as the tires go, assuming the wheel spacers do what we need then it'll have 285 / 75 / 17s soon...ish. Depends on how much I can get away with without the wife leaving me.

 

[thatdarnranger]

285/70-17 without removing crash bars and 2+" front lift is possible...just won't be able to crank full lock...pretty useless for off road...

We talked about that at the shop. If we need to we'll just move the ARB bumper forward a tad. They aren't convinced it'll need that, though. I guess we shall see after next Friday. I'll post updates of course.

 

[Frenchy]

That's what I mean...you can't use full lock...I drove around for a month with 285 without removing my bars and it was annoying as hell being turn limited...makes parking a PIA...but if loosing a degree of maneuverability isn't a bother then you've save the hassle of removing the bars...not useless but still a PIA IMO...?

Except the crash bars were not being hit. It was the frame being hit so therefore the crash bars will be fine. If I install 1/4 inch wheel spacers or go with a wheel that bumps the tire put a 1/4 inch then then I would not have any rub.

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