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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!

Dead Link Removed
 
Last edited by a moderator:



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I am gonna sticky it in this forum.

Some of the estimates are a little optimistic. Like most people need more than a little trimming to fit 32s with just a TT/War or spacer/War 1.5" suspension lift. Also, the chart doesn't list 33x10.50 tires that I can see. You can usually fit 33x10.50s if you can fit 32x11.50s.

But great none-the-less!
 






Thanks Alec for the info. I updated the list. Anyone else have anything I should change or add? I know it aint perfect but I thoughtI would try and help out and keep some of the recuring posts down.
 












That's a good reference....now the test will be if newbies read it first...:D
 






its a sticky...so hopefully... but i doubt it... as long as we refer them to this post... :)
 






We can all hope. I made it to try and keep some of the recuring posts down. So hopefully it will help
 






Good Move. I had been thinking about doing the same, but you beat me to it. This should come in quite handy.
 






I am getting ready to buy new tires and I definitely am going bigger. Are all 95 XLT's equipped with 8" wide rims? And just to clarify, I can put a 11.5" wide tire on an 8" wide rim? I thought I read somewhere before that 10.5" is the widest you should go on an 8"wide rim.
Also, when you say fender trimming, are we talking the outer metal of the fender or the indide portion of the fender?
Thanks all!!
 






Your stock rims are probably 15x7 with 4.5" of backspacing. 32x11.50s will work, larger and I'd go with wider rims.

Trimming can include just inner plastic/metal, or outer metal. Depends on how much you need to do!
 






I'm doing a 2" suspension lift (TT with add-a-leafs and shackles). I'm looking into BFG 32x11.5x15 tires. How much trimming will be nessecary? What, exactly will need to be trimmed? I assume it's not too hard to do??
 






Depends on the individual truck. Most people trying to fit 32s with only 2" of lift have to do a considerable amount of trimming. The rear shouldn't need any, but the front....

Let's see, the inner fender liner, the rear corner of the front fender, the front bumper, and you still might hit the top of the fender upon compression. Or....they could fit easily. It all depends on the truck! My suggestion is to find someone with 31 or 32s and testfit them after doing the lift, then decide.
 






As far as 32s are concerned I like the 32x11.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain TA/KO. I haven't looked into 31s, what tires do you recomend comperable to the BFG's?
 






Procomp ATs or XTs are good.
 






What about a 31/12.50X15? Anyone know what you would need to fit them?
 






Wow so i can fit 35's on a 6in lift?? Without trimming?
 






more then likely you will need to trim your fenders a bit
 



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35s with 6" of lift will definately require trimming, but not too much hopefully.
 






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