I have 12x7 ITP chrome steel wheels. I haven't been able to install them cuz they are supposed to be a Christmas present, so I don't know if I will need a lift kit or spacers. As long as you don't go any higher then 1" compared to the stock tires you shouldn't lose a noticeable amount of power nor will your gears get screwy on yah. When I said that you can't put 12" tires on stock rims w/out it rubbing, I meant 12" wide. You can get 25x9.5x12 on front and 25x9.5x11 on the rear of the stock rims I do believe. Hope that I helped.

 

There are after market rims available that will allow 26x12x12 tires on the rear of a Rancher. My neighbor has them. No spacers needed no lift kit and no rubbing. If you want part numbers I can get them. He is using 26x12x12 Bearclaws on the rear and 26x12x12 Mudsharks on the front. If you want a picture I have some pretty good ones of his Rancher.

 

aqua, sure you can. I had 26x12x12 outlaws on the back and they didn't rub anything

 

I have a set of Foreman rims and 25" by 8" by 10" by 12" Dirt Devils. They are great all round tire and have a 6 ply rating. I was told that they are not that good in mud and that maybe however we drove the ATV's off a pontoon in a muddy bay because we couldn,t get any closer to shore. The mud was over the top of the wheels and I made it to dry land, 200ft, no problem. It was in Canada and the mud is not that clay gumbo but it handled all the Loon-**** mud we went through. In the rough trails they were great. Drove over lots of sharp rocks and brush hogged trails no flats the whole week of hunting. They did slip a little on wet smooth rock surfaces but maybe everything does. The tire is not real heavy which helps the loaded down Rancher with trailer. ( Hey HOnda how about a 425 Rancher with the Ruby Tranny, no Radiator, please!!!!) I am sure their are other tires that would work just as well but these got the job done.