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Solved Lifts and Max tire sizes

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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!

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Thanks for this referance.. I plan to try and have 32's on my sport before summer is over. i got a 3 inch body lift and hopefully can do a torstion twist to make up what i need in front and a shackle extention in rear will this work out?
 



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About to get lifted

I've got a 96 xlt AWD that I am about to do a 3 inch body lift on. Does anyone know if everything underneath will stretch that far or am I going to have extend everything. I am going to be running 32x11.5's on a 15x8 rim.I already have the rims and tires off a friends Ranger(He went way bigger)so any info to make this a little easier would be appreciated.
 






Thanks for this referance.. I plan to try and have 32's on my sport before summer is over. i got a 3 inch body lift and hopefully can do a torstion twist to make up what i need in front and a shackle extention in rear will this work out?

It should be good enough, there may be a slight rub, but nothing too serious. I have an 02 Sport on 33s with the BL/TT/Shacks, I only have slight rub on full turn on the rear of the front passenger wheelwell, so you should be able to clear 32s no problem.
 






I've got a 96 xlt AWD that I am about to do a 3 inch body lift on. Does anyone know if everything underneath will stretch that far or am I going to have extend everything. I am going to be running 32x11.5's on a 15x8 rim.I already have the rims and tires off a friends Ranger(He went way bigger)so any info to make this a little easier would be appreciated.

Read my BL post in my sig, as well as look at 99ex22's post
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238214&page=4
for info on what you're going to be doing with the 3" BL. If you get a Performance Accessories kit or a Summit kit (I've heard Summit is identical, just cheaper) then you will have everything you need to get the lift done. The biggest things to worry about are brakelines, vacuum lines, ABS sensors, things of that nature. Like I said, check out my signature thread, it's about as detailed as you're going to see it.
 






Thanks for the quick reply shadow you are most helpful. I like this forum very much so far good people here:)
 






Ok, Trying to figure this out before I drop a boat load of money on rims and tires. I have a 2003 xlt on stock suspension. The chart is great but says max tire for stock suspension on STOCK WHEELS is 32X10.5. I am looking to get 16x8 dc-1 wheels. Correct me if I'm wrong but the offset is different. So my question is if I change from the stock rims to the dc-1 16x8, will I still be able to fit 32x10.5 on stock suspension, or do I need to scale down to about 31x10.5? Thanks in advance.
 






I really wanted to orders these wheels and tires tonight. If anyone can help me asap it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.:thumbsup:
 






Looking at the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Pro Grade - a new size just released for Q2 2009 - LT265/70R16. Goodyear lists a 10.7" section width and 30.6" diameter in its specs.

I'm kind of in the same boat, looking the General Tire GRABBER HTS 265/70-R17 for a 2007 X EB. Their 255 is listed as 10.2" Section Width, but they only have it as a 255/65, which makes it a 30" Diam tire... I really would like that extra 1" for that "beefier" look.
 






Tires

Ok, so i have a 1998 Ford Explorer 2dr, and according to your chart 31's should fit fine, no lift, no trimming. i have found that on some websites and my friend and i have seen some bone stock explorers rolling around on 33's on 16" rims.

My tires on there now are the P255/75R16, and my friend and i saw some stock expos rockin 33's the only thing they had to trim was the moulding at the bottom of the fender near the door (hope that makes sense).

Can someone please confirm this?? the tires i saw i THINK were 33x10.50R16 DEFINATELY 33's though.
 






Ok, so i have a 1998 Ford Explorer 2dr, and according to your chart 31's should fit fine, no lift, no trimming. i have found that on some websites and my friend and i have seen some bone stock explorers rolling around on 33's on 16" rims.

My tires on there now are the P255/75R16, and my friend and i saw some stock expos rockin 33's the only thing they had to trim was the moulding at the bottom of the fender near the door (hope that makes sense).

Can someone please confirm this?? the tires i saw i THINK were 33x10.50R16 DEFINATELY 33's though.

Down here in Oz the later gen. 2 X's came out with 255/70\16's, I now have 265/70/16 A/T's which the tyre shops say is the max they'll fit. I think they equate to just over 32" in the old measurements. You can get 245 muddies that are bigger than 255's, at least till the tread wears down LOL. :D
 






I have a stock 00' XLT with 16" wheels. does anyone know what the stock rim WIDTH is? im trying to save some money by buying some goodyear Wranglet MTs off my buddy that are made for 16" wheels but im not sure if theyll fit my stock rim width......
 






Actual Photo Example PLEASE

Can someone please post a photo of a 96 stock/no lift Explorer (Sport) with 31x10.5x15 tires on stock 15x7 rims... please.
:)
 






Hello

So will LT265/75R16 Tires fit on a stock height (34" from the ground (center of tire) to the bottom of wheel flare) 1998 Ford Explorer Sport 4x4?? I don't mind doing a little trimming just need to know if they will fit on the Alloys i THINK 16"x7??

Stock tire size is P255/70R16
 


















http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1487036&id=508429215

That is a 1997 Expo XL with BFG Mud Terrains KM1`s- 31x10.50R15

Thanks Cheford,
So do you notice any change in the way your truck handles with these tires?
What size rims are they on... 7" or 8"?

BF.jpg
 






Hey

The tires on the explorer are 31x10.50R15LT and they are mounted on the 15" rim. I believe it is a 15x7. I found that there was only a little bit of rubbing on the plastic moulding end piece of the rocker mouldings....i don't THINK it rubbed the sway bar at all......Never experiance it bottoming out either off roading or reular driving.
 






Tire Size Calculator/Converter

Hey guys, I just thought this might help some of you. It is what I have always used when messing with wheels and tires. There may be something similar already in here. Anyway, here it is: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
 






I've had 265/70/16 A/T's on mine since Xmas with stock height up to a month ago & only had the slightest of "full lock" marks on the sway bars.
 



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Hey guys

I'm hoping some of you can help me out with a wheel/tire question. I have a 2003 Explorer LE V8. I have to replace the original wheels due to heavy corrosion on the inside of all 4 of them that is preventing them from being mounted properly. So, since I have to do this anyway, I'd like to change wheel size, and put bigger tires on it for when I eventually retire the truck as my primary vehicle, and use it for strictly fishing/hunting/camping/etc.

I'm trying to avoid lifting it. With that said, on the tire guide in the first post of the thread, it says without a lift, I can fit 32x10.5. Can anyone confirm that this size will work? Also, what is the cheapest lift solution if I wanted something bigger than 32x10.5? Below are links to the wheels and tires I was looking at.

Can you guys tell me if these will work on my truck, and if not, what my options are?

Thanks in advance.

Dick Cepek Wheels

Tires
 






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