Wheels & Tires Semi-Tech General discussion of wheels and tires for the Ford Ranger.

275/60/15's on a 15 inch rim

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Old 10-31-2004
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hey guys im gunna get these out back n i might be gettin a good deal on some 15x7's there 10.8 inches wide should i b ok
 
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Old 11-01-2004
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Most tire manufacturers recommend bigger than a 7" rim for these, but not by much from what I can find. 7.5" minimum is typical.

The problem is, and I'm encountering it, is that at or below the minimum width your tires bend a bit in the tread causing the center to wear out more quickly. You may face this if you put those tires on stock rims.

I don't believe it's a safety problem or anything -- just an issue with how they may wear.

Although they are only 10.8" wide, they have a shorter sidewall. This results in less sidewall to "absorb" the bending in towards the rim and putting that force on the tread.

Just FYI. As Therhinosranger said: you're probably okay -- just the wear issue to consider.

I'm upgrading from 7" to 8" wheels to stop the progression of the center wear on mine.
 
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Old 11-01-2004
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Those tires will be even smaller in overall diameter than your stock tires, by more than 3/4"... might look a little odd.

On the plus side, the smaller diameter rear tires will be equivalent to a small final gear ratio change. It will affect your speedometer as well.
 
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Old 11-01-2004
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yes but im taking the 2 inch lift blocks out and approx 2 inches out by uncranking the bars so it should fill up the wheel wells more than stock correct
 
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Old 11-01-2004
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Originally Posted by 2004edge
yes but im taking the 2 inch lift blocks out and approx 2 inches out by uncranking the bars so it should fill up the wheel wells more than stock correct
No, it won't fill the wheel wells very well, and a 2" torsion bar adjustment DOWN is a horrible idea. Go to www.djayenos.com and ask Djaye what happens when you lower your torsion bars in that manner.. in his words, hes lucky to be alive, and the the truck was nearly undrivable.
 
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Old 11-01-2004
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so what size tire would you suggest then?? 255-70-15's and i was just talking about enough torsion bar untwisting to regain a lil rake to the look
 
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Old 11-01-2004
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Originally Posted by 2004edge
so what size tire would you suggest then?? 255-70-15's and i was just talking about enough torsion bar untwisting to regain a lil rake to the look
I can't in good conscience recommend lowering your front via the torsion bar AT ALL. Its the equivalent of lowering a car by putting really really soft springs in it instead of shorter ones of the same value.

255/70R15 would be alot closer to stock tire diameter, and honestly you have absolutely NO need for a 275 tire.. I run a 265 but primarily because its a 31.7" tire on a 17" wheel. 255 strikes me as an optimum tread width for street use.
 
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Old 11-01-2004
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hmm well if its that bad ill just get some 32's forget it
 
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Old 11-01-2004
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Originally Posted by 2004edge
hmm well if its that bad ill just get some 32's forget it
It seems to be alot safer and easier to go UP with an Edge than to go down.
 
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Old 11-01-2004
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It's worse than just soft springs even. When you drop it that way you have almost no up-travel -- not a big problem. But you have WAY too much down travel. In hard driving handling situations, the wheels can drop so far that the bar unloads and shifts position.

Also, when the wheel starts back up, the lack of spring tension allows it to move too fast, even with the shock (springs provide part of the upward damping).

Overall, a very lopsided situation. Just thought I'd explain some of the problem in more detail.
 
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Old 11-01-2004
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Originally Posted by n3elz
It's worse than just soft springs even. When you drop it that way you have almost no up-travel -- not a big problem. But you have WAY too much down travel. In hard driving handling situations, the wheels can drop so far that the bar unloads and shifts position.

Also, when the wheel starts back up, the lack of spring tension allows it to move too fast, even with the shock (springs provide part of the upward damping).

Overall, a very lopsided situation. Just thought I'd explain some of the problem in more detail.
Yeah, your description was more, um.. descriptive.

Really its more like removing the springs altogether.
 
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Yah... what he said ^^^^^^
 
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