Wider tires for the ranger

[littleredrider 409]

I want to put some wider tires and wheel on the 'ol ranger. On the rear, the shaft is 1", and sticks out aboot 3-4" IIRC. The tires I want are the Super Lug, 18x8.5x8 or something close to that size. But I know you need to watch the b/s on the wheels, as too much will rub the fenders. Also with that size tire need a 7-8" wide rim. Not sure how the hub length will be, but I can't find any rims that will work with the keyed shaft.

Want to do the same up front, put some 12" tires and little wider. Same problem there, Shaft is 3/4" with a snap ring, all the wider rims have a wider hub too. Stick out is 3" I think.

I've seen pics of bigger tires/wheels on rangers, so I know it can be done. How do you do it??

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

I guess you could always install the toolbox/fenders, 3 bolt hubs and 6.00 - 12's on the rear and 4.00 - 8's on the front, but then you'd essentially have a 502 garden tractor..... which kind of defeats the purpose of buying a Lawn Ranger.

If you want a tractor with bigger tires, maybe you should look for a "regular" round hood WH garden tractor.

[joebob 45]

I have to ask what you are looking to do with it ? make it look like a dragger like TT,s or use it for work, you can make your own hubs so the set of rims you want will work, you just have it find someone to drill and broach the keyway in it for you. I used a set of wider wheels/rims off a differant brand mower on my 62 ranger just to get that tougher look but keeping the same low stance

[littleredrider 409]

One of the reasons is for a "tougher" look, wife says I'm a tire freak. I like fat tires, what can I say??

Another reason is the yard behind my apartment seems to be always wet. I'm not heavy, (175 lbs), but with me and then the weight of the tractor might sink in and leave ruts.

Could I use hubs off another tractor?? Or are they all 1 1/8"??

One last one, where are all the pics of the lawn rangers?? Don't see much of them.

[Buzz 502]

I'm at work so I can't check, but I'm almost positive that my 68 Lawn Ranger has 18x8.5x8" turf tires on the rear. It's in the photo section:

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=961

[littleredrider 409]

that is just what I want. but with the lug tires...

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

Place a wanted ad for rear hubs and wheels for a 1965 to 1968 Lawn Ranger.

That will allow you to install the 18 -8.50/9.50 X 8 rear tires.

I don't know what to tell you about the fronts.

Here's a link to something that might interest you:

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=981

[littleredrider 409]

That is saweet!!! How hard is to swap to the 8 speed or what ever it was??

[sorekiwi 761]

The '62 to 64 Lawn Rangers used the skinny 8" rears, later ones used the wider wheels with hubs.

The axles in your transmission are the same as most of the other 1" 4 speeds, so you could put on hubs and use wheels from a bigger tractor. But I'm with TT here - the little wheels are what makes it a Lawn Ranger.

The later Rangers used their own special hubs and wheels, I think they would bolt onto your existing axles. They used the different style fender pan, so I'm not sure if you would have clearance issues with your round fenders.

[littleredrider 409]

I'm not gonna do anything to this that I can't bolt back on to make it all or mostly original. If I do get wheels/tires, the originals will go in storage out of the way so if I ever sell it, I have them to put back on or whatever.

I was checking ebay, there is a set of 5 lug hubs with the 1" keyed shaft for $10 current bid, but I think I can find a set at a yard here, probly for free.

I think I will have enough clearance even if I go with 18" Ags, since the originals are just about 16", don't think that 1" will matter.

[sorekiwi 761]

That is saweet!!! How hard is to swap to the 8 speed or what ever it was??

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?...14302&hl=ranger

You probably want to decide if you are going to do this before you buy hubs or wheels...

[littleredrider 409]

I remember reading that, tried to find it again searching and didn't come up. Guess I need to check the search options again. I can't do anything till the weekend, getting out of work after 5-6 sucks cause everything is closed. I'm not 100% I want to do it, but eventually I'd like to get a small snow blower for mine as well, and the extra gears just might help.

What model of snow blower will work on a Ranger?? I've been searching craigslist, and there is a lot of them for sale.

[buckeye 5]

I believe a model st-326 will work. Somebody correct me if i'm mistaken.

[joebob 45]

heres a pair of 18 x 9.8 x 8 , if you have the 65-67s ranger this would not make that much of a differance and they would rub on the fenders

[littleredrider 409]

I have the same fenders, so I should be good to go....