I recently bought a 92 Ranger XLT extended cab 4X2. (109,800 original miles. I could not pass it up! lol) Before I can get it registered it has to pass Texas state inspection. That means tires have to be replaced. I am having an issue with tire size. I am told the original size for the 92 was 225/70/R14. I can find 195/70/R14 locally, but was told they would not work because of load rating or something. I don't pull, haul or anything else. The truck will be simply for getting the 15 miles each way to work. Can anyone explain why the size difference between a 225 (or even a 215 that I was told would work) and a 195 would be a problem?

 

Welcome to the forum

1992 Ranger extended cab 2WD came with 4 different tire options
1. 195/70R14
2. 205/70R14
3. 215/70R14
4. 225/70R14

Look on your drivers door back edge, there will be a label there with your stock tire size, what your truck came with new

The first number is the width of the tire in millimeters, 195mm = 7.6 inches wide
225mm = 8.8 inches wide

Second number, in this case 70, means the height of the sidewall of the tire will be 70% of the width of the tire
So (195mm)7.6" x .70 = 5.32" from rim to tire tread
(225mm)8.8" x .70 = 6.16" from rim to tread

So a 75 would be a Taller tire, 65 a shorter tire, but same width

R mean Radial tire, which most tires are now

14 is the rim/wheel size in Inches.

If no one makes a load rated 195/70R14 now, or the tire company can't get them, then you will have to go with next size up or what ever you like.

Narrower tires get better MPG, but the reason for that is because they have less friction, contact with the road, and when you have less contact with the road you also have less traction..........
so you should decide what would be best for YOUR driving situations over the life of these tires
i.e. rain, snow, dry, paved roads, gravel/dirt roads

Tires also have a mileage rating, how many miles they will last, approx.
I have a 1994 Ranger with 400k miles, I would not buy 80k rated tires, lol, reasoning is that the truck may not last another 80k, it may but........
So I get 30-40k rated, I am optimistic but not blind to reality of high miles vehicles

 

Thanks man! I live in Texas and have only small problems with weather conditions that would create traction problems. I think the 195's will be just fine.