96 Ford Ranger Extended Cab XLT, 5 Speed Manual

Currently have 15" Chrome Rims and P225 / 60 / R15 tires which look small and I have never cared for the look.

What sizes can I move into, that safely fill the spaces in a bit more? look better? handle about the same?

Don't have to have the white lettering ...

I do carry heavy loads from time to time ... but not up for jacking things up.

Not really knowlegable about all the numbers ... so detail explanations welcomed.

Thx!

Attached are some pics:

 

31x10.5 is probably the largest you could fit without a lift, and not worry too much about rubbing. As for white lettering, most tires have it on only one side, so it's up to you which side faces out. I ran 235 75 R15's for years on stock rims and they are about 28 1/2", and worked good for street and not bad off road if you aren't rock crawling or surfing sand dunes. It pretty much depends on your budget, personal preference, and what you plan on doing with them.

 

Agreed 235 75r15's i stepped up to that size on mine they fill the wells really nicely no rubbing or clearance issues and that was a factory size on the EDGE and 4x4 packages and you may notice an improvement in handling since its a wider tire and more rubber on the road.