Noob Here - Tire Upgrade from Stock

[CLopey]

Hey community,

First post here. Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can offer. As a non-savvy car guy, I use this community a lot for tips, advice, etc. So thank you all!

Looking to upgrade the tires on my 2019 XLT Ranger. It currently has some stock size tires that they put on when I bought the truck used from AutoNation. They still have a lot of tread left, I’m just itching to keep improving my truck.

After some research on here, it seems like the ideal size without a lift is 265/70/17, where it won’t rub or need any alterations. But correct me if I’m wrong.

This is what I’m looking for in a tire:

Purely aesthetics.
I just want some beefier looking tires that maybe give my truck like an inch lift or so. I don’t off road. I never drive in snow, although it has been raining a ton more than usual in Los Angeles.
I mainly use my truck to commute and maybe a short road trip occasionally. I live a mile away from work so I don’t put a lot of mileage on my truck (~42k miles on a 2019) and now that the weather is getting warmer, I may be biking to work a lot more.
I don’t want tires that are going to be super loud on the road or affect my MPGs drastically. I also don’t tow or have heavy loads in the bed. Looking for maybe an all terrain that is road friendly, but has some grip in case I ever need it—it is hilly in SoCal—and won’t affect the ride. Heck, maybe even make it better.
I’ve seen a lot of people mention BFG KO2s, which look cool, and some other brands. My local Costco has a promo on Bridgestone and Michelin right now.
Also, are there any pros and cons to going bigger? I’ve read it throws off the speedometer.

I know this is a lot, I just want to make sure I make the right choice. I really appreciate if you’ve read this far.

Thank you! ?

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[Frenchy]

So you have no interest in going off road and you are clearly going for looks right?!

If that is the case I say stay with an All-Season tire. You can get plenty in that particular size.

Why an All-Season instead of an All-Terrain you ask? Because you have no need for an All-Terrain. It's a waits of money and will not have as much traction on the road vs an All-Season. Also you can get better MPG with an All-Season.

Tires to consider that I can recommend and most likely available in that size are the Michelin LTX M &S and the Firestone Destination LE3.

 

[916ranger]

Pros of going bigger is more clearance, more grip if you air down, more aesthetic and cons would be noise depending on how big and pattern as well as lower mpg. I added sound deadening all on the inside of my rig so I’m not much help on what would be loud or quiet.

 

[CLopey]

Pros of going bigger is more clearance, more grip if you air down, more aesthetic and cons would be noise depending on how big and pattern as well as lower mpg. I added sound deadening all on the inside of my rig so I’m not much help on what would be loud or quiet.

Thanks, 916!

 

[Frenchy]

Frenchy, thank you!!

Yup, clearly going for looks. The only time I’ll go off road is if I ever drive up into the mountains and I happen to hit a dirt road or something. Which maybe has happened once or twice in my couple years owning my truck. Are there All Season tires that look “beefy”?

Stop going for looks and go for functionality. If you're only going to hit a dirt road every once in a great f****** while then don't even worry about beefy looking tires. Having a good all season in the size you're looking for will fill the wheel well very well and you will be satisfied. It's not hard

 

[CLopey]

So you have no interest in going off road and you are clearly going for looks right?!

If that is the case I say stay with an All-Season tire. You can get plenty in that particular size.

Why an All-Season instead of an All-Terrain you ask? Because you have no need for an All-Terrain. It's a waits of money and will not have as much traction on the road vs an All-Season. Also you can get better MPG with an All-Season.

Tires to consider that I can recommend and most likely available in that size are the Michelin LTX M &S and the Firestone Destination LE3.

Frenchy, thank you!!

Yup, clearly going for looks. The only time I’ll go off road is if I ever drive up into the mountains and I happen to hit a dirt road or something. Which maybe has happened once or twice in my couple years owning my truck. Are there All Season tires that look “beefy”?

 

[CLopey]

Stop going for looks and go for functionality. If you're only going to hit a dirt road every once in a great f****** while then don't even worry about beefy looking tires. Having a good all season in the size you're looking for will fill the wheel well very well and you will be satisfied. It's not hard

Touché. Filling the wheel well is part of the “look” I’m going for. I would say that is more important than looking “beefy”.

 

[DRVMN]

I purchased the BF Goodrich KO2’s for looks and function. They did great in our last snowstorm here in Minnesota, and they look great! Road noise and fuel efficiency were not enough of a deterrent for me. It’s my truck and I want it to look and feel like a truck! No regrets after 7,000 miles on them. Plus, I have to compete with my wife’s Jeep Wrangler for looks, appearance, and functionality! She still won!

 

[DRVMN]

My wife’s 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4x4

 

[CLopey]

I purchased the BF Goodrich KO2’s for looks and function. They did great in our last snowstorm here in Minnesota, and they look great! Road noise and fuel efficiency were not enough of a deterrent for me. It’s my truck and I want it to look and feel like a truck! No regrets after 7,000 miles on them. Plus, I have to compete with my wife’s Jeep Wrangler for looks, appearance, and functionality! She still won!

Looks sweet!! Can you give me some more details about road noise/fuel efficiency?

 

[Joeiconic]

The tires that will give you the look you want will not give you the function you seem to want/need. Beefy tires will come with more noise, less mpg’s, etc., so you have to decide which is more important to you. A 265/7017 will give you a maximum of .5” “lift” over the stock tire, so you will need to replace your front struts or add a spacer if you want more lift than that.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

If you’re doing it for looks then I guess you’re okay with slightly more road noise and a little less mpg. That will happen but not to a huge degree.

You are right about the 265/70R17 being a good size that avoids issues. Your speedo will be out by maybe 2-3%, if that.

You really don’t get any real lift or added ground clearance because we’re talking fractions of an inch.

Looks are your motivator, so I suggest an A/T with a pronounced side treat pattern, such as Falken Wildpeaks, Nitto Ridge Grappkers, Bridgestone KO2s, or General Grabbers. They have aggressive tread patterns but aren’t as loud as you would think.

Visit tiresize.com to see what tires are available in that size and you’ll see just how each tire looks. https://tiresize.com/tiresizes/265-70R17.htm


This member‘s truck looks great with Nittos and his gas mileage was legendary.

 

[9zero1790]

265 70 17 is great upgrade when stock. not issues with rubbing or too much noise etc. but a warning, once you put on a set of bigger tires you will soon want bigger and bigger.

 

[CLopey]

The tires that will give you the look you want will not give you the function you seem to want/need. Beefy tires will come with more noise, less mpg’s, etc., so you have to decide which is more important to you. A 265/7017 will give you a maximum of .5” “lift” over the stock tire, so you will need to replace your front struts or add a spacer if you want more lift than that.

Thanks for the input.

It seems like beefy is not really what I’m going for, based on these responses. I'm more looking for a bigger tire that will fit the wheel well more, not necessarily a beefier tire. The lift is a hopeful by-product of the bigger tire, not a necessity. But I definitely don’t want more road noise and less MPGs.
Am I right that 265/70/17 is the biggest I can go without alterations?

Much appreciated!

 

[9zero1790]

Thanks for the input.

It seems like beefy is not really what I’m going for, based on these responses. I'm more looking for a bigger tire that will fit the wheel well more, not necessarily a beefier tire. The lift is a hopeful by-product of the bigger tire, not a necessity. But I definitely don’t want more road noise and less MPGs.
Am I right that 265/70/17 is the biggest I can go without alterations?

Much appreciated!

yes. the 265 70 17 is as big as i would try without modifications. the rear has plenty of room for bigger tires. but the front is limited by the crash bars and spindles etc. the switch for 265 70 17 vs the 265 65 17 for me didnt hurt mpg by much at all. about 1 mpg. road noise depends on the tire much more than the size. if you get a street tire it will be basically silent. if you get a serious off road tire you will hear them. just the nature of it.

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