# Changing tire sizes

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-tire-sizes/513194>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 9, 2009, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-tire-sizes/513194 "2009-10-09T15:18:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-tire-sizes/513194/1 "2009-10-09T15:18:21Z")

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Can I change front tires from a 225-70-14 to a 215-70-14 on a 98 Ford Ranger 2WD? The fronts would be 215, the rears would remain 225.

I’m thinking it’s safe, just looking for confirmation.

Thanks

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**Author:** ![pan1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e495f1/32.png) [@pan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pan1)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-tire-sizes/513194/2 "2009-10-09T15:25:07Z")

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You should be fine.

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**Author:** ![pan1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e495f1/32.png) [@pan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pan1)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-tire-sizes/513194/3 "2009-10-09T15:31:51Z")

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wait, i forgot to ask if you’re changing rims too or just tires.

But if the tires fit the rim, you’re only giving up a little tread width.(maybe)

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**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-tire-sizes/513194/4 "2009-10-09T15:33:56Z")

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Same rims. Thanks again for the reassurance.

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**Author:** ![pan1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e495f1/32.png) [@pan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pan1)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-tire-sizes/513194/5 "2009-10-09T15:38:25Z")

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There may be a slight difference in the ideal rim width of the tires. You will see a slightly rougher ride with the narrower tires in a wider rim, but they will likely still fit. (The curve to the tire wall will not be as curved and will absorb less shock).

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**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-tire-sizes/513194/6 "2009-10-09T16:41:46Z")

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If you live somewhere with winter, she might get a little squirley in the snow (I mean, even squirlier than usual for a 2wd compact truck in the snow). The problem would be if you’re putting new, skinnier tires on the front you’ll get better traction than the older wider tires on the back, which might cause the truck to want to fishtail and spin (more so than usual for a 2wd compact truck in the snow).

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**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-tire-sizes/513194/7 "2009-10-09T16:48:20Z")

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Used tires, just to get me through a bit of a patch… Will get 4 new ones by year end.

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**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-tire-sizes/513194/8 "2009-10-09T17:40:41Z")

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You’ll get by with that configuration, although it’s not as safe, nor is it recommended.