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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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churd69 said:
Today discount tire gave me some crap about not putting on 15x8 rims and only putting on tires with a "p" rating? I understand I might need 16x8 rims because of the bigger rotors on the 01 sports. Anyways, I just want to find out what I can fit so I can buy them online and put them on myself.
Don't let the tire store push you around Rich. As long as you're sure about you're measurements - go with them. Just make sure you measure and re-measure. If possible, borrow a set of 15x8 or 15x10 wheels form some one local and see if the wheel clears the calipers. In addition to the wheel diameter, another important factor that will dictate whether or not a wheel will clear the calipers is backspacing. So take you're time, do plenty of reserach, and take plenty of measaurements. Understand the basics of tire and wheel geometry and everything will flow from there naturally :D
 



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Tire Clearance

hey-



im about to put on a 4 inch suspension lift and a 3 inch body lift on my 2001 explorer sport.


Right now im not sure if 35 inch tires will fit.

Im planning on putting a 33inch tire on and seeing how much extra room there is to decide if i want to order 33s or 35s.

But if anyone can tell me instead of me taking the time and money to do this. that would be great.

thanks.
 












Help with Mods

Hello, I couldn't figure out how to post a new thread, haha, so I figured I'd post here. I'm new with the offroading thing, but I want to turn my 1996 Ford Explorer XLT with the 4.0L V6 engine into a 4x4 monster. I was wondering if anyone could suggest the best lifts to use? I want AT LEAST 35" tires, if not larger. I want something with balls. Also what is required in addition to a lift? Upgraded steering, or coolers, or anything? Please help me out with this project, thanks.
 






tokillamurderer said:
Hello, I couldn't figure out how to post a new thread, haha, so I figured I'd post here. I'm new with the offroading thing, but I want to turn my 1996 Ford Explorer XLT with the 4.0L V6 engine into a 4x4 monster. I was wondering if anyone could suggest the best lifts to use? I want AT LEAST 35" tires, if not larger. I want something with balls. Also what is required in addition to a lift? Upgraded steering, or coolers, or anything? Please help me out with this project, thanks.
Joo try Searching?

Here take a few hours (or days) and browse the Solid Axle Registry:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=63
 






does that say that i can put 31-10.5-15 on a stock 92 explorer or is there trimming? if so what needs to be trimmed? also will they work on the stock wheels? thanks!!!
 






So by the chart I'm assuming that 30X9.50's will fit on my factory wheels with no modifications on my 92? Just checking as I need to put these on my 92 Ex and don't want any surprises....... :)

Thanks, great info list!
 






Let me know how the 32s fit. I currently have 31 X 10.5 bfg all terrains on my 95 explorer with TT and AALs. I know I can get 32s in the rear, but it might be kinda tight in the front. I'm interested in putting 32s on mine without a BL.
 






thanks for the chart
 






IZwack said:
LOL !!! FROADER is right sebas54 -- the wheel diamater doesnt influence how large of a tire you can fit under your vehicle because the wheel diameter is independant of the tire diameter. 255/70/16 and 255/70/15 are the same tire diameters- just different wheel diameters.

I thought when dealing with metric tire sizes that the first number is the width in milimeters and the second number is the height of the side wall in milimeters. So wouldn't the diameter of the wheel change the overall height of the tire? For instance a 265/75R17 tire would overall be one inch taller than a 265/75R16 tire because the sidewall stays the same size.

Or mathmatically: [2x(sidewall/25.4)]+wheel diameter in inches= tire height

The 25.4 is the conversion factor from milimeters to inches.

This maybe like shooting a dead horse but I would like to know if i anybody knows if I have the right thinking.
 






You are partially right LAWG. Here's how it works:

235/75R15. The 235 is the tire width in millimeters, measured from the bottom of the bead to the bottom of the bead, the 75 is the sidewall aspect ratio, the ratio of sidewall height to tire width at the tread (indicating that the sidewall height is 75% of the tread width), and the 15 is the wheel rim diameter in inches.

So to get the size in inches:
Convert 235mm to inches (1 in = 25.4 mm), 235/25.4 = 9.25 in.
Sidewall is 75% of 9.25 = 9.25 x 0.75 = 6.9375 in.
2 sidewalls, so 6.9375 x 2 = 13.875 in.
Overall = 2 sidewalls + rim = 13.875 + 15 = 28.875 in.
 






Nice chart! wish i would have read it before i posted my question....
 






tyres and wheels

People , I've been reading this thread and mate what a lot of info it 's great now I have a 9/99xlt with 16" rims Iv'e raised my t bars 45mm and also my rear end 65mm hd springs now I'm puting a 2" body lift on and I'm wandering what size tyres will fit .I know I'll have do some mods to the trimmings you see out here to get a 255/70 /16in the bush is nigh impossible but a 265 75 16 is common as mud but I'm liking to go even bigger if possible you guys have the experience so I'm asking the right questions I hope also what effect on the speedo ?
 






I have a 94 XLT and was planning on getting a 4'' lift kit and 33's, will i need to trim my fenders for this? or should i just get 32's and save myself the trouble?
 






JMan, you should be good. You might need to do some very minor trimming but it will be worth the "trouble" to have the 33s instead of the 32s. It's also more hammering the firewall than trimming the fenders.

Here is my old 92 with a 4" Trail Master and 33x12.5s on 15x8 wheels with 3.75 backspacing.

1600explorerlift33.jpg
 






Ok, lets see. I've read about 10 pages of this thread and haven't found the answer yet, so I've decided to post.

'98 AWD with F rated torsion bars. I plan on doing a full 2" TT along with shackles and possibly an AAL. Rims will be Cragar Soft 8 15x8s... 4" backspacing sound good? I was wondering if I could fit 32x10.50x15s with no trimming? If trimming is necessary, how much would be required for 32x10.50x15s in comparison to 32x11.50x15s?

Has anyone ever took a close up of a fender/front bumper and photoshopped in guidelines for fender trimming. I don't really want to hack a lot of metal, but I know I won't be happy with 31x10.50x15s. I'm not too keen on doing a body lift either. I hate seeing a big hunk of frame hanging down.
 






any one seen a 91-94 x with 2in. sl and 3in. bl on 35's ? or should i stick with 33's...
 






I have a 1994 explorer with a 3in body lift. What all would I have to do to clear 35s with no rubbing. I do not want to trim.
 






if you look at the chart on the first page you'll see what u need to do

-Drew
 



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2 inch skyjacker lift = 33's

I ordered the 2 inch skyjacker lift from 4wheelonline.com for $218 and it came with new coil springs and add a leafs for the rear. After instailation my 93 explorer definatly did not look like 2 inches but more like 4 or 4.5. I easily fit 33X10.5 thornbirds on stock rims with room to spare it looks really nice. i went form 235x75x15 BFG all terrians to 33 super swampers with only 2 inches.
 






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