Hello I just bought a very nice Ranger 4x2 2.3L, it is 1996 but has only 59k miles on it and has been very well maintained. Here is my question to the group:

The truck appears to be fitted with non standard tires, they are rather large. The designation on the side is 235/70/R15

Looking through this forum I found tiresize.com, this shows that the authorized tires for this truck are:

195/70R14 = 24.7x7.7R14
215/70R14 = 25.9x8.5R14
225/70R14 = 26.4x8.9R14

So when I replace the tires, do I have to get 15 inch (R15) tires? Would I have to buy new wheels to fit R14 tires?

The truck only gets 22.5 mpg, I was hoping for a bit better. These tires seem to be pretty big, if I put the smaller tires (195/70/R14) would I get better mileage?

A final question: If the vehicle is rated for 14 inch tires and is fitted with 15 inch, I assume the circumference is 15/14 = 7% larger. Does this mean that truck is travelling 7% faster than what is indicated by the speedometer? Ie, was it calibrated to a 14" diameter tire?

Many thanks in advance. I am quite happy to have found this forum. I intend to hold on to this truck for a long time, they rally don't make them like this any more!

 

Welcome to the forum.
Your Ranger probably came with the 195/70/14 tires on 14 inch rims. The other sizes listed for that year were probable dependent on engine and 2 or 4 wheel drive options. (the V-6 or the 4 wheel drive).
The rough diameter for each is ...
195/70/14....24.7 inches
215/70/14....25.9 inches
225/70/14....26.4 inches
Diameter for the 235/70/15 is ...28 inches.
So, there is not much difference between the first two tire sizes, only about an inch. The 225/70/14 was probably the tire for the 4 wheel drive.
None of the 14 inch sizes are going to affect your mileage that much, the larger 225/70/14 may throw your speedometer off a bit.
The larger 235/70/15 will affect your mileage and your speedo, and depending on the gearing your Ranger has will affect how it performs acceleration wise.
If your going to go back to your original 14 inch tires you will have to buy a set of 14 inch rims....14 inch tires go on 14 inch rims, 15 inch tires go on 15 inch rims, ect.
If you like the 15 inch rims that are on your Ranger, you could get a smaller size 15 inch tire to bring it more toward the stock ride height and speedo/gear ratio.
Something in the area of a 195/70/15 or a 205/70/15 would be closest to the original diameter.
Grumpaw

 

Thank you very much! Upon reflection these large tires appear to be good for snow so I have decided to use them as snow tires and purchase a set of 195/70/R14s rims & tires for normal driving.

Just one more follow up question: How standard is a "14 inch rim". I understand the hole pattern needs to match up, must I purchase a "Ranger 14 inch rim" or are they pretty standard?

 

I'm not to familiar with the Ranger 14 inch rims...mine has 15 inch.
But a bit of google searching shows your 14 inch rims are...
14 x 6 inch with a 5 x 4.5 inch bolt spacing.
Your better off sticking with a Ranger rim if your going to go with stock steel...they will have the proper offset and back spacing.
If you want custom, just go to any on line site like Discount Tire or Tire Rack. Enter your vehicle specs and they will lis all the wheels that will fit, that they carry, including steel replacement wheels.
Grumpaw