New tires

[gwfolkema]

I have a 21 Ranger Tremor completely stock and needing to get new tires. I plan to actually take the truck off-road. Are the stock tire size decent for off-roading or is it recommended to go to a bigger size? I was thinking maybe 33" but not sure of what modifications I would need to make. I am just looking for any helpful advise, please and thank you.

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[RangerPNW]

Going to like a 285/70/17 will require crash bars, possibly wheel spacers if you want to stay on stock wheels. You might be able to get away with a 275/70/17 without any mods.

 

[Canadian Ranger]

I'd stick with stock size. If you go taller you lose suspension travel etc., plus everyone's version of 'off road' is different so It's a hard question to give an answer to.

 

[999BS]

I'm looking to get new tires as well.

I'm currently looking more at 275/70/R17 (10mm wider than stock making the tire 32.1") stock 265/70/R17 (31.6") just doesn't fit the profile of the truck and wheel well in my opinion.

I'm still exploring if possibly a 285/70/R17 would work without wheel spacers but I'm still doing the research for it. I'm removing the crash bars and replacing them with Ready Lifts low profile crash bars (I value the safety and reason they're there and don't want to just chop them off without having some sort of protection with expecting a new born soon). I'll also be installing a 2" lift from FordRangerLifts.com, they've got really good build quality and the instructions that come with it are well documented and easy to follow along with.

All-in-all, if you're going aggressive, you'll need to do more aggressive work to allow for adequate spacing between rubber and truck like @RangerPNW advised. @Canadian Ranger does bring up a great point though, if you're going for high speed articulation of the suspension system, stock is the best way to go, if you're doing more slow speed and less full articulation you should be good going 10mm bigger.

 

[HippoTrucker]

I'd stick with stock size. If you go taller you lose suspension travel etc., plus everyone's version of 'off road' is different so It's a hard question to give an answer to.

Seconded. 33" tires don't make enough difference in actual practice to be worth the bother IMO. Choosing a good/robust tire is much more important.

I went with an E Load Range set of the new Duratrac RTs in stock Tremor size and love them. Great grip, proper 3 ply sidewall, kevlar tread liner, and ride great (not much different than the Grabbers which surprised me).

 

[SonoranDesertranger]

285 70 17 fits perfectly with just a 1.5" spacer, level and high clearance crash bars. I removed mine completely as sasquach Broncos don't have them either. I also decided on 0 offset wheels, but with that offset I had to remove the waffle behind the wheel well liner. I decided in the 285s as its much easier to find a replacement if you shred one and they're cheaper.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

I have a 21 Ranger Tremor completely stock and needing to get new tires. I plan to actually take the truck off-road. Are the stock tire size decent for off-roading or is it recommended to go to a bigger size? I was thinking maybe 33" but not sure of what modifications I would need to make. I am just looking for any helpful advise, please and thank you.

255/80r17 is the size to get if you want 33s and few mods. Running that size on the stock wheel and a 2" level - probably a similar ride height to the stock Tremor. Haven't checked clearance on compression, but for now it doesn't seem to be a problem. Picture below for reference. Not the best angle, but kind of evidence that it all fits! ?

The stock tires are decent and a decent size to go most places off road. If you want to drive in mud then you need to change to a more aggressive tread pattern. Something like the Duratrac RT, Ridge grappler, or any other tire models usually with an "XT" or "RT" in the name would be a reasonable upgrade, though less comfortable on road.

Edit: Only other angle I have. Shows the size of the tire relative to the 17" wheel and the wheel well.

 

[pickettf3nce]

I've got 265/70r17's (stock tremor size; approx. 31.5in diameter) with an E load rating on my Ranger and they've done great to date. Whether it be sand and gravel desert trails, rocky mountain passes, or dirt and mud filled forest roads. IMO, having a tire and wheel setup that you can comfortably and reliably air-down is going to be far more valuable than the size, and give you a much more comfortable ride while doing so.

If you plan on airing down or traveling places with rocky trails or with debris that would otherwise damage your tires, consider opting for a D or E rated tire. The additional durability in your tread and sidewall will serve you well.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

I've got 265/70r17's (stock tremor size; approx. 31.5in diameter) with an E load rating on my Ranger and they've done great to date. Whether it be sand and gravel desert trails, rocky mountain passes, or dirt and mud filled forest roads. IMO, having a tire and wheel setup that you can comfortably and reliably air-down is going to be far more valuable than the size, and give you a much more comfortable ride while doing so.

If you plan on airing down or traveling places with rocky trails or with debris that would otherwise damage your tires, consider opting for a D or E rated tire. The additional durability in your tread and sidewall will serve you well.

Totally valid point about the importance of having a reliable and durable tire/wheel setup, but there's no denying that larger diameter tires make it far easier to clear obstacles. This is true whether you're driving a truck or riding a bicycle.

These 33" tires walk over things that took some more effort on the stock size and my enduro bike with 29" tires rolls over rocks and roots way better than my trail bike with 27.5" tires.

 

[pickettf3nce]

Totally valid point about the importance of having a reliable and durable tire/wheel setup, but there's no denying that larger diameter tires make it far easier to clear obstacles. This is true whether you're driving a truck or riding a bicycle.

These 33" tires walk over things that took some more effort on the stock size and my enduro bike with 29" tires rolls over rocks and roots way better than my trail bike with 27.5" tires.

Good point, a larger diameter tire definitely rolls over obstacles more easily. I do wish I had bigger diameter tires to better handle the relentless washboarding out in the desert, but airing down to around 15 PSI and carrying a bit of speed seems to smooth out most of the shuttering and shaking.

I don’t do much rock crawling in particular, so gaining an extra half inch or inch of clearance under the axles and diffs hasn’t been a priority of mine. 265/70s paired with a 3.5” lift and 4x4 have been more than capable for the types of terrain I usually encounter and can climb most 18–24” embankments in the washes without trouble.

To your point, when it’s time to replace them, I plan on stepping up to a 33”, or maybe a 35” if I can make them fit with the lower-offset wheels.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

Good point, a larger diameter tire definitely rolls over obstacles more easily. I do wish I had bigger diameter tires to better handle the relentless washboarding out in the desert, but airing down to around 15 PSI and carrying a bit of speed seems to smooth out most of the shuttering and shaking.

I don’t do much rock crawling in particular, so gaining an extra half inch or inch of clearance under the axles and diffs hasn’t been a priority of mine. 265/70s paired with a 3.5” lift and 4x4 have been more than capable for the types of terrain I usually encounter and can climb most 18–24” embankments in the washes without trouble.

To your point, when it’s time to replace them, I plan on stepping up to a 33”, or maybe a 35” if I can make them fit with the lower-offset wheels.

yeah idk what else you can do about washboards besides strap everything down and hope for the best ?

 

[Grandaccess]

Go Big or stay home LOL
I have 285/(75) on Roush 17" no spacers and a lift, the ride is Ok, never had an issue with travel (and its been in the air) still have my crash bars, didnt notice a MPG difference of maybe 1 or 2 MPG
I sit taller than most F150s I park next to, I had one guy ask me how I got a Ranger tailgate to fit on my truck BAHAHA

 

[Dereku]

Tire size does not really mean better offroad. Look at all the stock vehicles out there that are relatively capable on a trail. A good tire would be the best option in my opinion.

Our trucks suffer from short control arms. A lift of any magnitude amplifies that issue. A long travel kit and a good multi leaf setup will get the best improvements.

A taller tire, with or without a lift wont make your truck significantly more capable. You would gain 1” in ground clearance at best. Slightly easier to drive over obstacles as well. Really its for the cool look. So have to ask what is important to you.

I am not anti lift or big tires. I think they look badass. I am just maturing a little bit as I get closer to 40 lol. Trust me when the kids move out a TJ on 37s is in our future. Growing up is optional lol.

 

[Frenchy]

Going to like a 285/70/17 will require crash bars, possibly wheel spacers if you want to stay on stock wheels. You might be able to get away with a 275/70/17 without any mods.

Incorrect. 285/70-17 will not require different Crash Bars or the removal unless you add wheel spacers or different wheels. The factory wheels you can get away with 285/70-17. I know because I had that size on my 2019 XLT Sport. I only had slight rubbing at full lock. The Tremor has a slightly different offset which in turn should make it just right. That said I do not know if any additional clearance is needed up front.

 

[RangerPNW]

Incorrect. 285/70-17 will not require different Crash Bars or the removal unless you add wheel spacers or different wheels. The factory wheels you can get away with 285/70-17. I know because I had that size on my 2019 XLT Sport. I only had slight rubbing at full lock. The Tremor has a slightly different offset which in turn should make it just right. That said I do not know if any additional clearance is needed up front.

That's assuming all 285/70r17 tires are the same size, which is false so it's not a fair assumption to say OP will have no clearance issues.

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