33" under 3" !!?? - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

NickD · 07-29-1999, 03:07 PM

MY 93 EB IS CURRENTLY SPORTING ITS STOCK SUSPENSION AND TIRES. DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO FIT 32" OR 33" TIRES UNDER A 3 INCH BODY LIFT WITH OUT ANY PROBLEM??? I CANT AFFORD TO GET A SUSP. LIFT RIGHT NOW SO I AM TAKING THIS APPROACH. WILL IT WORK UNTILL I CAN GET THE SUSP LIFT ADDED ON?

NICKD

------------------
93EB

Todd · 07-29-1999, 03:33 PM

Nick,
The 32's should fit without a problem. The 33's are a different story though. They, more than likely, would rub. Although, I am sure there are some explorers out there that would not have too much of a problem with 33's. I would suggest the 32's though. You need to consider other things though when looking at bigger tires. The main thing to consider, almost before a lift, is will your vehicle turn those heavier meats. That is, is the stock gearing sufficient enough for 32's. I was debating about running 32's for a while with my 3.27 gears. I eventually decided against them and am thinking about going to some 31x11 TSL Thornbirds when my current 31's wear out. The end power with the 32's would have been horrible. I remember a Cougar with 2.73's that I used to have. It could move, but that was with a pretty modified 5.0. With the 32's on the explorer, my final drive ratio was somewhere around 2.96 or so. That just was not going to work for me. I know that some of this is babble, but it is just something to think about.

Take care and happy exploring!

------------------
Todd Metzger
tmetz@umr.edu
'Off-Road and More!'
93 "Ford X 4" XLT

*ExplorGM* · 08-01-1999, 06:47 PM

Nick,
I have to agree with Todd. Think about your priorities when upgrading your tires. If you drive more often than not on the street, you probably should go with a 31" tire like the Scorpions. IF you've got the power and/or the gearing, go big.
Another side of the equation is gas mileage. Larger more aggressive tires may hurt your mileage. There will be more wear on your axle/bearings/brakes as well with the 32" or 33" tires. Large agressive tires may wear faster than A/Ts or street tires. You will probably need to upgrade your shocks with bigger tires even without a suspension lift.
I went with 32" and mpg fell by 2 mpg. Acceleration and coast down were affected significantly as well. Noise is up big time also!
I knew the trade offs from having lifted/modified many other vehicles, so I accepted the fact that I would have to do gearing and power mods to get back to stock or better acceleration and mpg. I love the off road benefits and the appearance of the Mickey Thompsons so I'm a happy camper! Go into it with your eyes open and you will be too!
Rick

------------------
Rick
95 Explorer Sport Expedition
http://hometown.aol.com/explorgm/Explorer/index.htm

[This message has been edited by ExplorGM (edited 08-01-1999).]

[This message has been edited by ExplorGM (edited 08-01-1999).]

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07-29-1999, 03:07 PM	#1
NickD Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 26 Vehicle Specs	MY 93 EB IS CURRENTLY SPORTING ITS STOCK SUSPENSION AND TIRES. DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO FIT 32" OR 33" TIRES UNDER A 3 INCH BODY LIFT WITH OUT ANY PROBLEM??? I CANT AFFORD TO GET A SUSP. LIFT RIGHT NOW SO I AM TAKING THIS APPROACH. WILL IT WORK UNTILL I CAN GET THE SUSP LIFT ADDED ON? NICKD ------------------ 93EB

07-29-1999, 03:33 PM	#2
Todd Wannabe Elite Explorer Southwest MO 93 XLT (Sold) Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 96 Vehicle Specs	Nick, The 32's should fit without a problem. The 33's are a different story though. They, more than likely, would rub. Although, I am sure there are some explorers out there that would not have too much of a problem with 33's. I would suggest the 32's though. You need to consider other things though when looking at bigger tires. The main thing to consider, almost before a lift, is will your vehicle turn those heavier meats. That is, is the stock gearing sufficient enough for 32's. I was debating about running 32's for a while with my 3.27 gears. I eventually decided against them and am thinking about going to some 31x11 TSL Thornbirds when my current 31's wear out. The end power with the 32's would have been horrible. I remember a Cougar with 2.73's that I used to have. It could move, but that was with a pretty modified 5.0. With the 32's on the explorer, my final drive ratio was somewhere around 2.96 or so. That just was not going to work for me. I know that some of this is babble, but it is just something to think about. Take care and happy exploring! ------------------ Todd Metzger tmetz@umr.edu 'Off-Road and More!' 93 "Ford X 4" XLT

08-01-1999, 06:47 PM	#3
ExplorGM Elite Explorer AZ 1995 Explorer Expedition Join Date: Apr 1999 Posts: 624 Vehicle Specs	Nick, I have to agree with Todd. Think about your priorities when upgrading your tires. If you drive more often than not on the street, you probably should go with a 31" tire like the Scorpions. IF you've got the power and/or the gearing, go big. Another side of the equation is gas mileage. Larger more aggressive tires may hurt your mileage. There will be more wear on your axle/bearings/brakes as well with the 32" or 33" tires. Large agressive tires may wear faster than A/Ts or street tires. You will probably need to upgrade your shocks with bigger tires even without a suspension lift. I went with 32" and mpg fell by 2 mpg. Acceleration and coast down were affected significantly as well. Noise is up big time also! I knew the trade offs from having lifted/modified many other vehicles, so I accepted the fact that I would have to do gearing and power mods to get back to stock or better acceleration and mpg. I love the off road benefits and the appearance of the Mickey Thompsons so I'm a happy camper! Go into it with your eyes open and you will be too! Rick ------------------ Rick 95 Explorer Sport Expedition http://hometown.aol.com/explorgm/Explorer/index.htm [This message has been edited by ExplorGM (edited 08-01-1999).] [This message has been edited by ExplorGM (edited 08-01-1999).]