Solved Lifts and Max tire sizes

Lift and tire size info for explorers

Lifts and max tire and wheel sizes for explorers
This is a quick reference guide I have put together based on information gathered from the Explorer Forum. Remember this is just a guide. You may have to do some fender trimming to fit these tires on your explorer. Others things can change what size tire you can run on your explorer. Like fiberglass fenders, rim width and rim backspacing.. I figured this would help some of you that were pondering what size lift to run what size tires.If anyone would like to add something go ahead and post it and I will add it to my list. If any of the moderators could make this a sticky that would be great. Hope this helps.

91-94 explorers.
No lift- 31x10.50x15 on 15x8 inch or stock (15x7) rims
1-2 inch suspension lift- 31x10.50x15 - 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rims/ may require some extensive fender trimming
2-3 inch suspension lift- 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rims
3-4 inch suspension lift- 32x11.50x15 - 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rims/ may require fender trimming
4-6 inch suspension lift- 33x12.50x15 - 35x12.50x15 on 15x8 rims/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift- 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rims/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift- 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rims/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift and 1-2 inch suspension lift- 32x11.50x15 - 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift and 2-3 inch suspension lift- 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 inch rim
2 inch body lift and 4-6 inch suspension lift – 35x12.50x15 – 36x12.50x15 on 15x 8 rim/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift and 1-2 inch suspension lift – 32x11.50x15 – 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift and 2-3 inch Suspension Lift – 33x12.50x15 – 35x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim
3 inch body lift and 4-6 inch Suspension lift – 35x12.50x15 – 36x12.50x15 on 15x8 inch rim

95-2001 (including 2dr 95 - present)
No lift- 31x10.50x15 on 15x8 rim or stock (15x7) rim
1-2 inch suspension lift - 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require some extensive fender trimming
4 inch suspension – 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim
2 inch body lift – 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rim
3 inch body lift – 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift and 1-2 inch suspension lift – 32x11.50x15 – 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift and 4 inch suspension lift - 33x12.50x15 – 35x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift and 1-2 inch suspension lift – 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift and 4 inch suspension lift – 33x12.50x15 – 35.12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming.

You may be able to run 33x10.50x15s inplace of 32x11.50x15s

2002-2005 Ford Explorers
Click here for lift option #1
Click here for lift option #2
No lift - 32x10.50 or equivelent in Metric Measurements on Stock Wheels (265/75/R16 or 265/70/R17) - no modification needed!

Dead Link Removed

 

[mikepntt]

New 31 goodyear tires need lift help!!!

i just got new goodyear wrangler 31/10.5/15. i put then on my stock 99 explorer xlt. They look great and fit well but i have minor rubbing when the wheel is turned. The chrome fog light fender is rubbing. So my question is will a tt and and new shackles be a good fix for the problem. I need some sugg about lifts available fairly cheap. thanks for the help.

 

[Tbars4]

...Check out the "How To" in my signature..

 

[stsmoker]

So has anyone figured out the max wheel size you can fit with RB's 3" lift?

 

[nitrousoxidefast]

question. ive done my research nd stuff but im stalling on what size tires to buy. im gonna use the stock rims but what is the biggest/widest tire possible with a torsion twist and rear shackles? i want a tire size anywhere from 31-33 and i want no rubbin whatsoever. and I want the widest tires possible to look badass. please, i need advice!!

 

[iggy1718]

Im running 265 75 16 which is about a 32" and its about 8" wide. Its rubs a little on the stock fender flares and on the sway bar. I have a 2 inch body lift and the TT.

 

[nitrousoxidefast]

so do you think i would be safe with 31x10.5 with tt and shackles?

 

[iggy1718]

just do it.

 

[BlkExplorerSport]

So i can get 24" Rims on my 1999 Explorer Sport without Lifting It ???

 

[Minivek]

j

 

[3ngin33r]

I am pricing some rims and tires. I am confused with the backspacing. Every rim I look at they come with different size back spacing...I have a 2001 Explorer sport 4x4, going to tt/shackles and 3" BL. 4-15X8 MICKEY THOMPSON SIDEBITER BLACK WHEELS 5X4.5 is what I am looking to get. Any info on the backspacing would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Jeffrey

 

[travisstnr]

hey everybody my brother has a 2004 explorer stock and he wants to get bigger tires on it and he was wondering what was the biggest he could go with out rubbing and with out getting a lift right now

 

[ShadowRaven]

Slightly used 295/75r16 BFG A/T KOs

Aight guys, quick question. I think I may have jumped the gun on this deal and bought some tires that are just a wee bit too big for my application, but that's fine, I can lift higher My question is what kind of lift I'm looking at needing to accommodate a set of slightly used 295/75r16 BFG A/T KOs (by used, I mean they are down about .5" of tread, making them 32.5-33s, essentially) The reason I'm antsy is I had previously bought some Warrior shackles (WAR-153s) due to my originally wanting, at most, 275s. But, I found an excellent deal on these 295s, so I jumped on it, and now I think the 153s are just not going to cut it anymore, in terms of the necessary clearance. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[patrick112390]

Aight guys, quick question. I think I may have jumped the gun on this deal and bought some tires that are just a wee bit too big for my application, but that's fine, I can lift higher My question is what kind of lift I'm looking at needing to accommodate a set of slightly used 295/75r16 BFG A/T KOs (by used, I mean they are down about .5" of tread, making them 32.5-33s, essentially) The reason I'm antsy is I had previously bought some Warrior shackles (WAR-153s) due to my originally wanting, at most, 275s. But, I found an excellent deal on these 295s, so I jumped on it, and now I think the 153s are just not going to cut it anymore, in terms of the necessary clearance. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance everyone.

cheap? 3'' body lift. EDIT: you may be able to stuff them in there with shackles and tt because if im not mistaken the SPORT front fenders are larger than 4 door....

 

[ShadowRaven]

cheap? 3'' body lift.

Yeah a moderate lift is what I'm looking for ideally. But yeah, I'll look into how much this will run, thanks for the input. Yeah, I was measuring earlier today and the front fenders are huge compared to the rears, obviously for turning purposes, but with a 2" (or even higher, due to mine being a 2wd, and I heard 2wd can go higher due to no CV Joint) I may be able to cut it with the TT and Shackles.

 

[patrick112390]

Yeah a moderate lift is what I'm looking for ideally. But yeah, I'll look into how much this will run, thanks for the input. Yeah, I was measuring earlier today and the front fenders are huge compared to the rears, obviously for turning purposes, but with a 2" (or even higher, due to mine being a 2wd, and I heard 2wd can go higher due to no CV Joint) I may be able to cut it with the TT and Shackles.

oh your 2 wheel, well yes you can go the 3'' fabtech spindles in the front (or just crank the torsion bars) and AAL, shackles in the rear

 

[ShadowRaven]

All right, cool. I'll just go with the TT/Shackles most likely. I have a friend who is an auto mechanic that has dealt with lifts before (he had a lifted Mazda B3000) and he's going to be doing the mounting/balancing/aligning for me, so I'll run this by him and see what he thinks. Thanks again for the help, Patrick, I'll post pics once I get all this sorted out, haha.

 

[spencer03x]

quick question

does anyone know if 265/70/17 will fit 2003 explorer?stock with small lift or with spacers?

 

[steelo1]

The charts great but..... no 16" or 265/70/16 etc listed for the pre 2002's. Don't they have them over there?

 

[Tbars4]

...it works the same for the 16, (which is wheel size only), as in 16" wheel...

 

[littletunny]

Will 33's fit ?

O,k, I've read 22 pages, and can't find my answer. I have a 98 eddie buar 4.0 Sohc did the 3 in body lift. Have 3/8 stock being machined into shackles with 1-3/4 and in 2.5 in lift eye holes for leaf. Hope to get 2 in from ( L ) rated Torsion bars., " will get longer adjuster bolt if needed ". Now will this give me clearence for 33/12.50- 15's. Presently have 265/70r16. Wheel wells are currently 34 in from ground., Thanks.