Will 33 Tires Fit on a Stock Ford Ranger

Do you own a Ford Ranger and have an interest in putting larger tires on? If this sounds like you, you’re probably wondering what the largest tires are that your truck can handle!

On a Ford Ranger, the largest size of tires you can place with leveling or lifting is 265/65R18. 33 size tires exceed this limit and would rub if you were to place them on your Ford Ranger.

Are you wondering what you can do on your Ford Ranger? Continue reading to learn more about changing tire size.

Why Change Your Tire Size?

There are many reasons to put larger tires on your vehicle, especially when it comes to your truck.

Appearance

For some people, the look alone is enough to upgrade your tire size. Having a tall, rugged truck is every truck owner’s dream. Following your childhood wish of having a big powerful truck is all you’ve ever wanted. You hold a level of “authority” on the road by being higher up than the rest of your driving peers.

Safety

You may be surprised to hear that many upgrade their tire size solely for the added safety measures which the larger tires add to your vehicle.

Having larger tires means there is more surface area on the tire for your vehicle to connect to the road. This helps your vehicle to drive more smoothly and keeps you in contact with the road. Larger tires greatly upgrade your off-roading experience, especially when it comes to bumpy terrain.

You also drive higher up compared to other drivers. This gives you an added level of safety to your driving because you can see further up the road. Seeing more of the street helps you to prepare for any oncoming accidents or other problems you may be about to face.

Weather

Having larger tires means you have more traction on the road during all road conditions. This is especially helpful during extreme weather. Rain, snow, ice, and even heavy winds are all types of weather when having larger tires will benefit the driver. This can keep you connected to the road so you don’t need to worry about losing control while driving. You can never be too safe while driving with crazy or extreme weathering.

Handling

Larger tires give you more control over the overall handling of your vehicle. With more traction and more road connection, handling is improved because of the larger tires. This will be especially helpful when driving in mud, or on the sand.

Towing and Hauling

While there is no increase in towing or hauling capacity, having larger tires helps your vehicle tow with greater efficiency over smooth, flat surfaces. Changing anything significant about your vehicle will change the way it handles, so you should make sure you’ve adjusted to the new handling before you tow any significant loads.

Largest Tire Size On A Stock Ford Ranger?

When you purchase your Ford Ranger, the stock size of tires is 255/65/R17. If you do wish to increase your tire size, you can only safely do so up to a 265/65R18.

Product Recommendations

Here are a few product recommendations for tires in size 265/65R18 which you can upgrade your Ford Ranger to.

Mastercraft Stratus AP All-Terrain Tire – 265/65R18 114T

• These tires are sold between $115 and $140
• They have a load capacity of 2601 Pounds
• Their tread depth is 11 32nds

Click here to view this product on Amazon.

Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 All- Season Radial Tire-265/65R18 114S

• These tires are sold between $130 and $160
• They have a load capacity of 2601 Pounds
• Their tread depth is 13 32nds

Click here to view this product on Amazon.

Falken Wildpeak AT3W All Terrain Radial Tire – 265/65R18 114T

• These tires are sold between $190 and $220
• They have a load capacity of 2601 Pounds
• Their tread depth is 13 32nds

Click here to view this product on Amazon.

NITTO Terra Grappler G2 all_ Season Radial Tire-265/65R18 XL 116T

• These tires are sold between $170 and $200
• They have a load capacity of 2756 Pounds
• Their tread depth is 12.9 32nds

Click here to view this product on Amazon.

Nankang SP-9 Cross Sport all_ Season Radial Tire-265/65R18 114H

• These tires are sold between $110 and $150
• They have a load capacity of 2601 Pounds
• Their tread depth is 10 32nds

Click here to view this product on Amazon.

Vercelli Strada 1 All-Season Tire – 265/65R18 114T

• These tires are sold between $90 and $130
• They have a load capacity of 2601 Pounds
• Their tread depth is 10 32nds

Click here to view this product on Amazon.

How To Place Larger Tires On Your Vehicle

After looking at the tire recommendations above, if you are still wanting a larger tire size on your vehicle, there are a couple options you can do to raise your vehicle to put more tires on.

Leveling Kit

Leveling kits are meant for raising only the front part of your vehicle. This is because manufacturers have made trucks higher in the back than in the front. This is in an attempt for aiding the driver while towing. If you tow or haul something which is too heavy for your truck, it will pull the back of the truck down in the back and will cause a “sag” in the back. Leveling a truck fixes this problem which was caused by the manufacturers and will level out the truck.

This gives you more room in the front for larger tires. The back is already high enough for larger tires, so leveling just the front of your truck gives you enough room to put larger tires on both the front and the back.

Leveling kits will normally raise the front of your vehicle by 2-4 inches.

You can install a leveling kit by yourself, or have a professional install it for you. Installing the kit on your own will take about a weekend and it will be a lot of work. Having a professional install the kit will cost about the same price as the kit itself. So do be aware that it will cost you more.

Leveling kits cost between $400 and $2000

Lifting Kit

A lifting kit will raise the entire body of your truck by 2-10 inches. You will be able to put much larger tires on your vehicle by using a lifting kit rather than a leveling kit. You have a larger variety of length you can add to your vehicle.

Lifting kits are a lot more common and popular then leveling kits because you can add so much more height to your vehicle than the leveling kit offers. Lifting kits will raise your entire vehicle.

Lifting kits can be installed by yourself, but it will be a lot more work (and a lot more time) than having a professional do it. Having a professional install the kit for you will cost about the same price as the lifting kit. Also, be aware that after installing the kit it is highly likely the professional will have to do other things on your vehicle to ensure everything is running smoothly. This may end up costing more.

Lifting kits cost between $500 and $4000

Negative Outcomes From Larger Tires

Now that we have gone through all the positive benefits from large tires, as well as thoroughly discussed many different aspects of big tires, it is time to discuss the downfalls from installing larger tires.

Towing Capacity

Although larger tires do help your vehicle not have to work as hard to tow and haul, installing larger tires onto your truck or vehicle will significantly lower the towing capacity. It is important to do your research on the impact on your vehicle’s towing capacity. If you plan on towing a lot of weight, this may be something you should look into and be aware of going into a big decision like this.

Higher Center of Gravity

While you are higher in your vehicle, you are at higher risk for tipping over when taking tight turns. While in most cases all this requires is slowing down while turning, you should think about what effects this may have during emergency situations. You are higher up and have a different center of gravity and this can throw off your vehicle’s stability, especially while taking tight, fast turns.

Cost of Operating the Vehicle

Increasing the tire size of your tires will mean it will you have to pay more in gas prices to run your vehicle. For some, this can be a key deciding factor in not choosing to upgrade your vehicle. Between the initial cost of raising your vehicle, purchasing the larger (more expensive) tires, and then forever paying more in gas prices is enough to make some not want the upgrade.

You will also have to continually purchase new tires as they wear down, and the larger the tire, the higher the price.