New Tires for '96 XLT - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

Butcher99 · 08-10-1999, 07:07 PM

Greetings all....Once and for all, can somebody tell me if I can in fact run the BFG AT/KO 30x9.5x15 on my stock '96xlt w/manual tranny....I've seen a lot of folks here running them on various Explorers w/o trouble...But the dealer and tire store tell me they don't think it's a good idea....My Crappy OEM 235's never gave me the kind of off-road performance I'm looking for...I hear the BFG's are great, but my wife will kill me if they're gonna rub or mess up my truck...
Can anyone give me the final word?????

Keith · 08-10-1999, 08:20 PM

Well they are wrong. I have 31X10.5 bfg At's on my 97 sport and they fit fine. So the 30's should have more then enough room.

**Ray Lobato** · 08-10-1999, 08:38 PM

Hi Butcher99,
I run 31X10.5 R15 BFG A/T's on my 97 XLT and don't have any problems either. The dealer and the tire shops will tell you that, but they only do it for liability reasons. Your 30X9.5's will be more than ok. here's a link to a picture of my truck a Holister Hills SVRP. I off-road all the time and they work fine for me. READ THIS FORD!! "NO RUBBING"

http://www.4x4central.com/hhills1.jpg

------------------
Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.

97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC

[This message has been edited by Ray Lobato (edited 08-10-1999).]

CSimpson · 08-14-1999, 03:49 PM

I just put on 31x10.5x15 BFG Mud Terrains on my 95 yesterday. They fit great, look great, and no rubbing at all. Enjoy your new tires!!

Craig Simpson

Carolina Express · 08-17-1999, 12:02 AM

Anyone know if these 31x10.50's will work on a 92 XLT with no lift? Think there'd be any rubbing, etc.

------------------
92 XLT Daily + Various Blue Oval at any time!
carolina_express@go.com

Butcher99 · 08-17-1999, 07:03 PM

Well boys...the deed is done!!!! Thanks for the comments. Even though I drive this '96 which seems to be rather unique (they tried to charge me $400 to fix the upper rear brake light)....I bought the BFG AT/KO's 30x9.5x15 and they are great!!!!!!!! No rub...just a lot more capable...I can't wait to get them in the Shenendoah Mountains and the beaches of Ocracoke, NC......Thanks for all the responses.....

Now....What do you guys know about shocks for the '96xlt????

Regards
Jon Resnick
Vienna, VA.

kvo · 08-18-1999, 01:50 AM

As long as you use the stock wheels, they will do fine. My buddy has a 92 XLT also with the previous generation BFG A/T. On the streets they don't rub at all, they only rub the radius arms under full turn and full compression during off-roading.

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08-10-1999, 07:07 PM	#1
Butcher99 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs	Greetings all....Once and for all, can somebody tell me if I can in fact run the BFG AT/KO 30x9.5x15 on my stock '96xlt w/manual tranny....I've seen a lot of folks here running them on various Explorers w/o trouble...But the dealer and tire store tell me they don't think it's a good idea....My Crappy OEM 235's never gave me the kind of off-road performance I'm looking for...I hear the BFG's are great, but my wife will kill me if they're gonna rub or mess up my truck... Can anyone give me the final word?????

08-10-1999, 08:20 PM	#2
Keith Wannabe Elite Explorer Northport, NY 2003 VW Jetta Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 240 Vehicle Specs	Well they are wrong. I have 31X10.5 bfg At's on my 97 sport and they fit fine. So the 30's should have more then enough room.

08-10-1999, 08:38 PM	#3
Ray Lobato Moderator Los Banos CA 97 XLT Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 4,472 Vehicle Specs	Hi Butcher99, I run 31X10.5 R15 BFG A/T's on my 97 XLT and don't have any problems either. The dealer and the tire shops will tell you that, but they only do it for liability reasons. Your 30X9.5's will be more than ok. here's a link to a picture of my truck a Holister Hills SVRP. I off-road all the time and they work fine for me. READ THIS FORD!! "NO RUBBING" http://www.4x4central.com/hhills1.jpg ------------------ Happy Wheelin' Ray L. 97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC [This message has been edited by Ray Lobato (edited 08-10-1999).]

08-14-1999, 03:49 PM	#4
CSimpson Wannabe Elite Explorer Tucson, AZ '95 XLT Join Date: Apr 1999 Posts: 28 Vehicle Specs	I just put on 31x10.5x15 BFG Mud Terrains on my 95 yesterday. They fit great, look great, and no rubbing at all. Enjoy your new tires!! Craig Simpson

08-17-1999, 12:02 AM	#5
Carolina Express Wannabe Elite Explorer North Carolina '92 XLT Join Date: Apr 1999 Posts: 84 Vehicle Specs	Anyone know if these 31x10.50's will work on a 92 XLT with no lift? Think there'd be any rubbing, etc. ------------------ 92 XLT Daily + Various Blue Oval at any time! carolina_express@go.com

08-17-1999, 07:03 PM	#6
Butcher99 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs	Well boys...the deed is done!!!! Thanks for the comments. Even though I drive this '96 which seems to be rather unique (they tried to charge me $400 to fix the upper rear brake light)....I bought the BFG AT/KO's 30x9.5x15 and they are great!!!!!!!! No rub...just a lot more capable...I can't wait to get them in the Shenendoah Mountains and the beaches of Ocracoke, NC......Thanks for all the responses..... Now....What do you guys know about shocks for the '96xlt???? Regards Jon Resnick Vienna, VA.

08-18-1999, 01:50 AM	#7
kvo Wannabe Elite Explorer San Jose, CA '00 XLT (SOHC) Join Date: Mar 1999 Posts: 588 Vehicle Specs	As long as you use the stock wheels, they will do fine. My buddy has a 92 XLT also with the previous generation BFG A/T. On the streets they don't rub at all, they only rub the radius arms under full turn and full compression during off-roading.