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

 

[RedneckRambo]

will bigger tires kill the transmission?

 

[grant00]

will bigger tires kill the transmission?

I believe it is possible over time, yes. depending on what size of "bigger" tires you might be looking at. I have 32" BFG ATs on my X and i haven't noticed any problems with the transmission yet. It did fall out of drive into neutral once a few weeks ago but that's most likely because of the BL and the shift cable being stretched a little bit. So, no I don't think they would, but I don't know about over a longer period of time.

 

[97sprt4x4]

will bigger tires kill the transmission?

it really depends on your set up. if you put 35's with a 2.73 ratio and put the pedal to the floor all the time because it has no get up and go then you will be stressing everything and yes you will kill your transmission much much faster. but if you take precautions such as, adding a trans cooler or two, upgrading your gear ration to appropriate, (4.10/33, 4.56/35, 4.88/37, etc) then your truck will have less trouble moving the big meats and you will be in the clear.

 

[RedneckRambo]

it really depends on your set up. if you put 35's with a 2.73 ratio and put the pedal to the floor all the time because it has no get up and go then you will be stressing everything and yes you will kill your transmission much much faster. but if you take precautions such as, adding a trans cooler or two, upgrading your gear ration to appropriate, (4.10/33, 4.56/35, 4.88/37, etc) then your truck will have less trouble moving the big meats and you will be in the clear.

ok well i dont know what ratio im runnin but im wantin to do 31's and i have a 5 speed tranny

 

[97sprt4x4]

ok well i dont know what ratio im runnin but im wantin to do 31's and i have a 5 speed tranny

with 31's you should be okay with stock ratio.

 

[grant00]

ok well i dont know what ratio im runnin but im wantin to do 31's and i have a 5 speed tranny

I agree. with 31's you should be in the clear. I have 4.10 gears that came stock on mine with the towing package so i got lucky and haven't had to re-gear.

 

[RedneckRambo]

awesome thanks guys

 

[steelo1]

ok well i dont know what ratio im runnin but im wantin to do 31's and i have a 5 speed tranny

I think that if yours is a 2000 (same as mine) & an LSD it should be this - D4 (type), 3.73 (ratio), 31 spline.

 

[97sprt4x4]

he has a 94 so he probably has a 3.55 if he has the lower gear, or possibly a 2.73.

 

[steelo1]

Ooops I was looking at GrantO's Avatar, me wrong, ah well.

 

[RedneckRambo]

how would i be able to find out what ratio i have?

 

[97sprt4x4]

there's a tag on the rear diff that will tell you the code, or in the door jam. and there are threads on the forum that will tell you what the code you have means

Justin

 

[steelo1]

Try this link & then scroll down & you'll see some Ford codes, it's an interesting link.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

 

[RedneckRambo]

thanks i came across that link in a thread last night and was just now trying to find it again

 

[RedneckRambo]

now im stuck my axle code isnt listed in that chart. mine says 46 on the door sticker.

 

[grant00]

now im stuck my axle code isnt listed in that chart. mine says 46 on the door sticker.

Are you sure you're looking at the right spec number on the sticker? I don't know what a 46 would be unless it's some combination like and Open diff with 4.10 which isn't listed there.

 

[RedneckRambo]

on the sticker where it says axle underneath that it has a 46

 

[grant00]

ok, so i googled "ford explorer axle codes" and about the 3rd link down I found this that has info on your 46 axle code in the second post on the thread.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/115597-axle-codes.html

 

[RedneckRambo]

ok thanks for the help. i guess its a 3.73 ratio

 

[damarble]

I just want to add, I just installed 31x10.5x15 Firestone Destination LE's on a bone stock 91 Sport with 280k. No rubbing at all during normal driving.