Looking for guidance on new tires/lift/level

[lil doopahead]

Howdy folks,

I am pretty much a newbie when it comes to anything vehicular-- this is especially true when it comes to understanding tires/wheels/leveling/spacers etc etc. My boo came with 18" wheels, and the stock Hankook tires. I'm looking to get something a little beefier put on, but I don't want to have to deal with removing crash bars or cutting anything up? I am, however, open to getting a lil lifted to make some room. I'm all over the place, but I guess what I'm getting at is: can anyone provide a little guidance or suggestions as to the biggest/sexiest looking tires I can slap on her without any rub? Like I said, I wanna level her out too, and I am also open to dropping down to 17'' or 16'' wheels. The idea of spacers seems kinda sexy too, but from the minimal research I've done, it seems like some people consider them liabilities? Geeking out on this Ranger shiet and would love to know what you fine people think!!!

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[Dr. Zaius]

You can run 265/70/17 with a level and without messing with the crash bars.

Not sure on 18" tire sizes but there are plenty on here who can point in the right direction for those.

Here's my truck with 2" level and 265/70/17 on 17x9 wheels +20 offset.

No rubbing at all.

 

[puckdodger]

First off, nice truck!

There are tons of options on leveling/lifting. I went with a strut spacer lift, 2.5" from Rough Country, happy with the results. I kinda wish I went with adjustable front struts, rookie mistake on my part.

I thought about spacers, but haven't pulled the trigger because I am a little leery of having the tires outside the wheelwells, throwing dirt up up the side of the body and the potential for stone chips.

 

[D Fresh]

There are many different ways to accomplish your goal.

But first you've got to figure out what you want to do. Search, read, search, read, wash, rinse, repeat until you figure it out.

The tallest I've seen on a basic level/lift without touching the crashbars is 33". But there are a ton of determining factors. Lift, wheel choice, tire width, all effect your choices.

The easiest way for a noob to figure it out is to find a truck here whose stance you like, and copy their setup.

 

[lil doopahead]

There are many different ways to accomplish your goal.

But first you've got to figure out what you want to do. Search, read, search, read, wash, rinse, repeat until you figure it out.

The tallest I've seen on a basic level/lift without touching the crashbars is 33". But there are a ton of determining factors. Lift, wheel choice, tire width, all effect your choices.

The easiest way for a noob to figure it out is to find a truck here whose stance you like, and copy their setup.

You are so right, it's almost overwhelming!! The way my brain works, it's hard pulling together the various factors, understanding some of the truck terminologies, and putting it all together conceptually in my head Thank you for helping!!!!!

 

[lil doopahead]

You can run 265/70/17 with a level and without messing with the crash bars.

Not sure on 18" tire sizes but there are plenty on here who can point in the right direction for those.

Here's my truck with 2" level and 265/70/17 on 17x9 wheels +20 offset.

No rubbing at all.

Hellll yeah, that looks so sick dude!! Here is a newbie question for ya: what exactly does the term "offset" refer to?

 

[lil doopahead]

First off, nice truck!

There are tons of options on leveling/lifting. I went with a strut spacer lift, 2.5" from Rough Country, happy with the results. I kinda wish I went with adjustable front struts, rookie mistake on my part.

I thought about spacers, but haven't pulled the trigger because I am a little leery of having the tires outside the wheelwells, throwing dirt up up the side of the body and the potential for stone chips.

Can I ask, what would the benefits be of the adjustable front struts?

I feel you on the spacers though! The aesthetics of those tires poppin' out is so cool, but aside from that, are they really justifiable

 

[D Fresh]

You are so right, it's almost overwhelming!! The way my brain works, it's hard pulling together the various factors, understanding some of the truck terminologies, and putting it all together conceptually in my head Thank you for helping!!!!!

You seem to be able to put a sentence together so I'm sure you'll get your head wrapped around it all.

Just to give you a place to start you've got 3 metrics to figure out.

Tire Height-a product of width and aspect ratio on metric tires

Tire width-keeps you away from spindles, control arms, and crashbars

Wheel offset-works in conjuction with width, accomplished with aftermarket wheels or spacers.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Hellll yeah, that looks so sick dude!! Here is a newbie question for ya: what exactly does the term "offset" refer to?

Offset is how far the wheel mounting surface is offset from the wheel centerline.

A positive offset pulls the wheels closer to the vehicle body whereas a negative offset pushes them away or farther out.

The factory Ranger wheels have a positive offset of 55mm. My wheels with positive offset of 20mm means that mine stick out an additional 35mm from factory.

A positive 20mm offset with a 17x9 wheel will put your tires pretty much even with the fender.

Here's a diagram detailing offset.

 

[Rampantroo]

So, I just wanted to weigh in on your overall picture. If you want those big sexy tires, and you are considering spacers, that is where my story may be helpful.

I had some 265/70/17 Big-O tires on my stock Ranger with OEM wheels, and there was no problem. I bet if you put better looking tires, i.e.: Ko2, Duratrac, AT3's (Depending on what you drive), on OEM wheels you would be fine. But as you consider moving those larger wheels further from the vehicle, there may be issues.

Here is where the story gets to be a bit more relevant. I have rims that push my wheels out about 1.5" inches, which is about the smallest spacer you are able to get without having to cut the studs on the vehicle. Or in other words, you cannot simply put a .25" spacer without altering the studs length on the vehicle.

My truck is currently leveled (2021 Lariat Fx4, Fox 2.0). My rims are 30mm pushed further out and when I put 265/70/17's on the leveled truck with about 1.5" offset, I had rub on the crashbar at full lock in reverse.

I ultimately replaced the crashbars with BDM bars because I DO NOT want any rub under articulation while off-road, I want to keep the security of having a crash bar to pin the tire in worst case scenario event, I plan to move up to 33's next time I need to buy tires, so the space will be used eventually.

Ultimately, my advice is just to consider how all the pieces of the build may work together in the end, and if you are not willing to modify the vehicle (studs or crashbas), then you may want to plan for that from day 1.

Good luck and welcome to G5!

 

[McLeadslinger]

Welcome! Lots of knowledgeable members on her will get you all the info you need.

I’d offer info on my setup but it’s fairly aggressive. ?

 

[D Fresh]

For your reference.

Lifted FX-4 (2" front/⅝" rear) on skinny 33"s.

Factory wheels and crashbars, no spacers, and no rubbing. Doesn't have the cool bro-poke but just as capable, if not more so, off road. Priorities.

For refence these are 255/80 R-17 Toyo Open Country AT-3s.

 

[puckdodger]

Can I ask, what would the benefits be of the adjustable front struts?

I feel you on the spacers though! The aesthetics of those tires poppin' out is so cool, but aside from that, are they really justifiable

it would add a little more capability off road, not that I do a lot of it yet but it looks like fun.

Plus, the kids are grown so I have extra money just lying around some times... ?????

 

[puckdodger]

For your reference.

Lifted FX-4 (2" front/⅝" rear) on skinny 33"s.

Factory wheels and crashbars, no spacers, and no rubbing. Doesn't have the cool bro-poke but just as capable, if not more so, off road. Priorities.

For refence these are 255/80 R-17 Toyo Open Country AT-3s.

truck looks sharp and man I wish the floors in my garage were that clean

 

[D Fresh]

truck looks sharp and man I wish the floors in my garage were that clean

Thankyou!

I'm one of the few dudes I know who keeps his wife's retired vacuum in the garage.

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