New tires

[Frenchy]

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.

Unfortunately I can't remember the suspension height difference between the Tremor to non Tremor Package. Because of this it will be had to say if you can go to a 33 without suspension modifications.

Understanding you want to go OffRoad(good for you), we need to understand the type of OffRoad travel you intend to do. If you are like me and stick more towards Overlanding/Touring, then you most likely can get away with the stock 265/70-17 size. That said the extra half inch of clearance from 285/70-17 can be helpful. It just depends on the suspension at this point.

As for what tire to get? Unfortunately you are going to get many individuals recommending all sorts of different tires. For me I personally like the Firestone Destination XT. It is available in both sizes and it has been an excellent tire overall. Good wet Traction and winter Traction. Very tough to the point I have yet to get a puncture. It's definitely worth looking into.

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[Frenchy]

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.

Keep in mind about the suspension. That is going to be the biggest factor for one keeping the factory wheels. When I had 33's on my Ranger the only place I found the rubbing to happen was on the chassis at best. For the crash bars I technically did modify them, but not to the point they were compromised. All I did was remove the plastic cover on the front ones and then loosen each one and push it farther from the tires as much as possible then tightened them back down. Because of that I never had contact with them.

 

[Frenchy]

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.

Because the Tremor comes with 32's from the factory it can sometimes be hard to justify the 33's, but not impossible. Even stock the Tremor is very capable compared to a stock Ranger.

How much clearance overall do you gain going from a 32 to a 33? Generally speaking about 0.5 inches at best. Though it may not seem like much, it makes enough of a difference for most trails. Then again depending on the type of wheeling one may do, they may need bigger(and I suspect the OP will not). And the extra size isn't just for looks unless you are putting 22's on there!

It's definitely going to be an interesting one for the OP to figure out though

 

[Frenchy]

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.

Please show how the suspension travel is going to be affected by that tire size. On my 2019 I ran both 32's and 33's and had no problems with suspension travel.

 

[Frenchy]

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.

No need to mess with the crash bars like such if you are running the Factory wheels and no spacers. I know because I had 285/70-17 Firestone Destination XT's on my 2019 with the Factory wheels along with the Old Man EMU Nitrocharger Sport Suspension Lift. This also included me removing the plastic cover from the front crash bars and slightly moving them away from the tires. The only rubbing I had was at the chassis on full lock.

 

[Frenchy]

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).

Depends on where you are. Seeing that picture and assuming most of the trails are just like that, then I would agree that the stock size is just fine. If you were on trails that required just a little bit more clearance, then going to a 33 would be a good idea. It just depends on the trails.

 

[Frenchy]

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

Airing down for starters. The next step if having the right shocks and struts. Unfortunately that last parts costs quite a bit

 

[Dereku]

Because the Tremor comes with 32's from the factory it can sometimes be hard to justify the 33's, but not impossible. Even stock the Tremor is very capable compared to a stock Ranger.

How much clearance overall do you gain going from a 32 to a 33? Generally speaking about 0.5 inches at best. Though it may not seem like much, it makes enough of a difference for most trails. Then again depending on the type of wheeling one may do, they may need bigger(and I suspect the OP will not). And the extra size isn't just for looks unless you are putting 22's on there!

It's definitely going to be an interesting one for the OP to figure out though

Same wheels in both photos. Clearly look the same. I didn’t put 46s on because they looked badass. I clearly needed another foot of ground clearance…. Big tires on a daily driver are typically for looks. 32 to a 33 is so minor on the trail it’s laughable. Extra width is more important.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

Airing down for starters. The next step if having the right shocks and struts. Unfortunately that last parts costs quite a bit

We already covered all that. My point was that washboard roads always suck.

 

[Canadian Ranger]

Please show how the suspension travel is going to be affected by that tire size. On my 2019 I ran both 32's and 33's and had no problems with suspension travel.

The taller the tire the more the risk of hitting the top, up inside the wheel well. That's what lift kits prevent.

 

[Frenchy]

The taller the tire the more the risk of hitting the top, up inside the wheel well. That's what lift kits prevent.

You would be surprised and how many individuals have never had an issue running 33s on the Ranger. They have never had the tire touch the fender liner at all

 

[YaBoiNewton]

You would be surprised and how many individuals have never had an issue running 33s on the Ranger. They have never had the tire touch the fender liner at all

Yeah it almost always comes down to wheel offset and width

Like no, you can't make the tire an inch wider, then push it out 2" and expect it to not rub on something lmao

 

[jpaddy13]

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.

I have the same truck, and stayed with the stock size when I got new tires put on recently. I have done a fair bit of wheeling over there in Michigan and never found that I wanted for a larger tire, but like someone else said, depends on the type of off-roading you plan on. I have made a few trips out west and never had an issue off-road but I don't rock crawl, I usually just enjoy basically baja type of off-roading, more speed than crawl.

 

[Canadian Ranger]

You would be surprised and how many individuals have never had an issue running 33s on the Ranger. They have never had the tire touch the fender liner at all

I know. That's why I worded my explanation the way I did , ' the more the risk'.
No two people are do the the exact same off-roading. I'm sure some have regretted a taller tire too.

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