Hi all,
My 2000 Ranger 2.5l Std Cab 2wd currently has p225/75R15s on( Firestone Destinations Front, Goodyear Wranglers Rear) , they were put on before I bought it. The VIN sticker calls for p225/70R15s.
Since WalMart and Jack Williams Tire (local tire installer) refuse to install anything other than the p225/70R15s the Vin calls for, how is everyone changing tire size on their Rangers? Are you all doing it in the backyard? I had no idea it would be so much trouble getting new tires with the current size.

I don't want to go back to the 70s since I'll lose just under an inch of ground clearance. I like being able to get my fat gut under most of my truck without jacking it up, unless I need to get under the rear diff or the front cross member.
I can order the p225/75R15s (Hankook) off of Amazon and a friendly private garage will put them on for me, but then I don't get any road hazard insurance.

1) What would you guys do? Buckle and go with 70s, or stick with the 75s?

2) What's the best tire pressure for the current p225/75R15s?
I've been keeping them at 30psi, which is the recommended pressure for the stock tires. I can't find any reliable information online, and the big box stores won't say anything since it's not the stock size.

 

Why not just go with the 225/70R15, only 1/2" height difference from the 225/75R15 and both are the same width, 8.9"

Previous owner must have got a deal on the 225/75R15s, because the difference is negligible, less than 1" in diameter, so less than 1/2" height difference
So there would be no reason, except price, to pick one size over the other, and because there are two different brands that was why, Tire shop probably had only 2 of each so sold them cheap, lol

Tire chains/box stores can sell for less because they can get volume discounts from tire makers, and they generally hire non-tire experts to do the work, so they will have a rule that they will not install non-standard/approved tire sizes on any vehicle, same as u-haul will not rent you a trailer if its not approved for your vehicles rating
The guys at these stores won't know "What's too big" or "Whats too small"

Independent tires shops will charge more but you can often get the size you want within reason


Tire pressure is users choice not the tire maker or the vehicle makers choice
Some like 25-28psi for smoother ride, others like 32-35psi for better wear, or hauling a load

 

Hi Ron, thanks for the reply.
The truck sits a little nicer with the 75s. That's why I'd like to keep that size. I know it's not a lot, but it's enough for me.
As far as chain stores selling for less...not lately. Using the Hankooks for example, Amazon is the cheapest. I just got a quote for $153 per tire installed( $612 for 4) from the local Steve Shannon. I can't afford that.
I'll probably just buy the Hankooks off Amazon and have my local garage mount and balance them. It will still be around $100 cheaper than Steve Shannon. Both Goodyear and Firestone are way out of my price range, so the Hankooks will have to do I guess.
Regarding the tire pressure, I think I'll stick with 30psi. I don't plan to do any towing with the old truck, and so far I haven't hauled anything heavier than a few bags of groceries.