Gonna switch 15" to 14" wheels on Ranger

[TallPaul]

The Ranger has these wheels

which are 15 inch, and it has Continental tires, nice, but manufactured in 2007. But the wheels on the Ranger are badly rusted and sheets have delaminated and fell off. The one in the photo is the best of the four.

Anyway, I have an old beater Aerostar (92) that appears to have the same bolt pattern, and has steel wheels in decent condition, but are 14 inch, and the tires are 2011 manufacture date (Mastercraft though). Given the tire sizes, it will only represent a 2.5% difference in circumference or about 2 mph less than indicated at 70 mph.

Tomorrow morning I intend to switch them between the two and run the 14s on the Ranger. The Ranger wheels will go on the Aerostar. If all clearances are good, I'm done. Then next time I need tires, I will see about new 15 inch wheels for the Ranger.

What do you think? By the way, the Ranger is sort of a beater too, so I am not too concerned about an old-school wheel size on it.

 

[Colt45ws]

What year is it? I know the front calipers on my Grandpa's Ranger are stuffed in the 15s.

 

[TallPaul]

Ranger is a 2001.

Aerostar is a 1992.

I better take a peek. But I understand the Rangers in the 80s and into the 90s had 14 inch, but that doesn't mean they will fit mine. But it is a half inch difference overall at any point along the rim. I'll take a look.

 

[HTSS_TR]

When you do -1 wheel and tire, your winter traction will improve, but normal summer performance will suffer. You need to adjust the tire pressure up several PSI to compensate for narrower tire.

 

[TallPaul]

Aerostar tires are narrower, but Aerostar weighs about 3600 pounds and the Ranger weighs 3000, so I would think that the pressure can remain the same.

 

[tommygunn]

Probably fine pressure wise so long as you don't load the box of the truck with a half a ton of stuff.

 

[01rangerxl]

The bolt pattern is the same, but the Aerostar wheels may not have clearance for the Ranger's brakes. Ford upped the size of 2WD rotors from 10.28 inches to 11.28 inches in 2001, and at the same time dropped 14" wheels.

 

[The_Jeff]

Hmm, this sounds like an issue.

I remember 13" escorts having smaller brakes than the 14" wheeled ones in the early 90s. You had to ask for brake parts depending on your rim size. Of course if some joker put 14s on where 13s had been you would be mad at the parts store guy.

Incidentally I have one 15" steelie with your bolt pattern just sitting here, it came with a tire I wanted. Must be able to find steelies on craigslist for $10 ea?

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Hmm, this sounds like an issue.

I remember 13" escorts having smaller brakes than the 14" wheeled ones in the early 90s. You had to ask for brake parts depending on your rim size. Of course if some joker put 14s on where 13s had been you would be mad at the parts store guy.

Long standing issue with Chrysler K-sourced vehicles and Neons.

"I need brakes for a [insert Chrysler]"
"What size wheels does it have?"
"I dunno."
"Is it a 4 or 5 lug wheel?"
"I dunno."
"Hmmmm....do you know what trim level it is?
"Huh?....what's that mean?"
"That means your car was equipped with two different kinds of brake pads. I need a little more information so I can give you the right parts or you can buy both and return the ones you don't use."
"What? It's just a stupid [insert model].....I'm going to AutoZone." (where this process began again)

 

[Rand]

I have doubts they will clear the calipers.

If they do you should be ok.

as was mentioned they did up the brake size

I dont remember if it was 2001 or 2002.

so in summary.. check fit one rim on the front.

 

[TallPaul]

I just checked the clearances. The brake backing shield would have to go, there is maybe a little over 1/4 inch clearance on that. Caliper is very close, would end up with maybe 1/8 clearance, depending on the offset. Too close. Better do it right. I should be able to get some at the junkyard. Too bad, those fresh tires would be nice, but 2007 tires are not bad. My son though, has 2000 tires on his S10 and I would have let him switch to the 2007s.

 

[javacontour]

Probably better off.

With the wheel sizes going up to 20" wheels today, you may be better off in the long run with 15" wheels as the 14" options may dwindle down faster than 15" options.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Rand

I dont remember if it was 2001 or 2002.


It was 2001...I bought the wrong rotors for my 2001 XL and had to return them. Luckily the Auto Zone was across the street. At the time the parts lookup gave a choice of both sizes and I assumed my truck had the smaller brakes.

 

[TallPaul]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
Probably better off.

With the wheel sizes going up to 20" wheels today, you may be better off in the long run with 15" wheels as the 14" options may dwindle down faster than 15" options.

Good point. My tire shop only carries two tires for 14 inch rims, maybe less by now.

The Aerostar wheels/tires combo would have given me 2.5% deeper gearing, which would be welcomed, but I may be able to achieve that when I buy new tires for the 15s. It has 70 profile now. Don't want to drop to 60, but maybe there is a 65? Or by going a narrower tire the 70 series will drop the overall circumference a bit.

 

[daves87rs]

Why not some steelies from the junkyard?

 

[TallPaul]

I was out for a walk and it struck me. There is a 90s Explorer at the house across the street that is like abandoned. It just sits in the driveway on a flat tire for the past 5+ years. So I asked and was told they are going to donate it. The lady is checking with her mother (the owner) about how much she would want for the wheels. If it's a go, I get basic steel wheels, run them over to the shop, switch them and the replace it with their tires on my old rusty wheels. Nice. Now I could kick myself for passing up 4 jack stands at a garage sale last week. I thought I have two, but can only find one. Have to dig around some more.

If that doesn't work I will see what the junkyard has. There also is a nice set on a 92 Explorer for $75 with center covers and "beauty

rings" but that truck is 65 miles away.

 

[TallPaul]

No need. The wheels were not that bad upon inspection. I had them re-balanced and it is now riding smoothly.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Friend of mine put 13'' trailer wheels on the front of his Cherokee ...

 

[TallPaul]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Friend of mine put 13'' trailer wheels on the front of his Cherokee ...
This cleared the calipers?

 

[TallPaul]

Hey, just looked and the Aerostar 14s will fit the back of the Ranger. My back tires are more worn than the fronts, so I may flip the 14s on the back and run them a while to save my tires. also since it will sit 1/3 inch lower, I get about 2.5% increase in gearing for better take off.