whats' the largest tire on stock rims w/o mods that will fit on an #02/03 Tracker 2dr and not present a problem on or off road?

I' seen several posts on this but none have addressed the newer Trackers, any input from anyone who has done this changeover would be appreciated.

I/ve been challenged by this Jeeper guy to an off road run and I would like to kick his butt.  We were out in the mud last week and the stock trires don't cut it and I still kept up w/his creep until common sense took over on my part.  I wasn't about to break somethin' to prove a point.  I know w/bigger and better tires he's history.

Thanks

As far as the rims go a 235 will fit fine.  I have seen posts saying a 225 is the largest the wheel wells can handle without some kind of lift.

I have a 2002 2 dr Tracker.  With stock rims I ran 235s without any problems.  Wider rims start havoing rubbuing problems with out a lift.

First of all, take a look at these sites:

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

http://ejelta.com/tiresize/

Very useful (especially the first one) to tell you what will fit on what rim.  I checked that 1010 site and they state a  215/75-15 will safely fit the stock wheels (which are 5.5" wide). Unfortunately they recommend a 6-8 inch wide wheel for a 225/75-15 tires, and a 6-8.5 inch wide wheel for a 235/75-15 tire.  Although it would probably still mount up properly, I bet would would pop the wheel off the rim if you really start pushing hard off road.

I am no expert.  Heck, two days ago I was asking the same question on this forum (see the posting "HOW BIG CAN YOU GO").  

But in my opinion, rather than trying to stuff big wheels (on stock rims) into a tracker without any lift, you should look at a different option.  The stock tires (mine came with Uniroyal Tiger Paw) are total crap.  Look at different tire manufactrers offering all-terrain tires in a size that is close to (or slightly larger) than your stock size.  Its not just about stuffing a big tire on your truck...if the tire design sucks, it doesn't matter how big it is.  

Bridgestone and many other manufacturers make reasonably good off-road, all-terrain tires (not mud tires) that will be slightly larger, fit your stock rim, won't rub the body, won't require a lift kit, but will give your truck much better traction.

Oh yeah, and stuffing a locker in the rear diff wouldn't hurt either.

thanks for the quick replies, I have alum. rims, 15x6, so I think I'll go w/225/15.  Any recommendationsas to brand and design.  I've been looking at a Dunlop Rover RV-XT, check it out at tire rack and let me know what you think.  Appreciate the info.
I'm all plated up I've put skid plates front to rear.
Thanks

Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo

This is a kickass AT tire.  Look at http://www.tirerack.com .  They compare all the different All Terrain tire brands.  This new Bridgestone (make sure its the REVO) is always at the top of the carts.  All the reviews (by guys like me and you who have these on their trucks) say the most positive things about the tires.

Did those wheels come from the factory with your truck?  My tracker came with crappy 15x5.5 steel wheels and I'm just dying to scrap them and bolt on a set of 15x7's...but one thing at a time.

On 30" tires.

Ingersol,
thanks for the info have you used those Revo's off road, mud, snow etc?
I'll check them out.  I agree that the worst thing you can do is try to stuff a large tire on a stock vehicle, the tread design is more important w/o mods.
The rims came w/Tracker and there not bad lookin'.

On 30" tires.

   Are those 30 by 9.5???  I didn't think anything that big would fit on ours.  Oh, btw, nice Tracker, mine's even the same color/rims/probably year too.  Is yours an auto or 5 speed?  Thanks, my Unyroyal Tiger slicks have 50,000 miles on them, still have tread left, but they are worthless in the snow, so, by November I'll be hunting around for tires too.  I was going to go with 215/75's  (which is one size up from stock) because that's what the ZR2's have, and they don't seem to be too big, fill in the wheel well nicely, don't throw off the speedo much (in fact I thik it'll correct mine, it's a couple mph off) and affordable.  Thanks, Dave

That red truck belongs to a guy in another group. I've been e-mailing him for some more info but no responce yet. I know he has air adjustable shocks in the rear but those are just for balancing out a load or trailer.
My "97 and '00 Trackers came with Tigerpaws and they weren't worth crap! But my "04 Tracker came with Goodyears and they seem to be much much better. No skidding when pulling away from a stop light in the rain like with the Tigerpaws.

This is my Tracker.



It is a automatic. You can't get a stick or four banger anymore.

Wuggie,

I wish I could say more about those Bridgestone Revos...but I have never tried them.  I have been doing homework to figure out what to replace my Uniroyals with...and I think those Bridgestones are pretty good.  Plus Michael Schumacher uses Bridgestones, so they cant be all bad.

By the way...is anybody else just a little suspicious of that red tracker picture with the 30 inch tires...how could you put a 30 inch tires on a Tracker without some sort of lift.  Im sure you could bolt them on...but I bet they will get sliced open by the bodywork.

I have a 2003 Chevy Tracker with the 5 speed stick and the 4 cylinder.  I hear that the 2004 models no longer have the four banger, and I think in Canada you cannot even get the 2 door convertible anymore (I guess they figure theres no point in selling convertibles in Canada...the fools) so I bought my new Tracker just in time.  

They way I check for lifts in a pic is compare the wheel hub to the bottom of the door sil if it's the same as a stock vehicle chances are no lift.

I put Bridgestone Dueler A/T 215-75-R15 on my "00 Tracker and they looked and performed real well. They weren't the Revo though.

Don't jump all over me about the 'Red Tracker'! I am trying to get as much info on it as I can for my self and anyone else thats interested. All I can say is it is not lifted and riding on 30" tires. What is there to be suspicious of?

HEY IS ANYONE ELSE SUSPICIOUS OF THAT LITTLE TRUCK (SAMMY) CLIMBING THOSE ROCKS LIKE THE PIC SHOWs! I TOOK THIS PIC BY THE WAY.


My "97 could take 30" tires with no lift but only on the factory rims. With the American Racing rims 225-75-R15 would rub.

 

I changed my mind.  I'm not suspicious of the little red tracker with the 30's and no lift...I'M JEALOUS.

Find out who and how.  I would love to know (and copy).  Hell I owuld even tell people who asked that this smart guy on zukiworld told me how to do it.

Now that I've looked at the picture some more (and read the "how to check for a lift kit" post ( thanks, by the way) I think that red tracker is running a very narrow 5.5" wide factory equiped steel wheel.  Maybe that how he could mount the 30's without rubbing?

Ingersol;
No more 2dr Trackers after "03 or 4 bangers same w/the Vitara 2dr.  No more Trackers after "04 the end.
I'm gonna go w/225/75-15, they shouldn't be a problem. I've did the K&N filter bit.
I might go LSD next, any recommendations as to a reliable unit.