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

 

[true66gt]

yeah bolt pattern is the same

 

[tmoney4444]

Thanks for the info !

 

[frishoo]

2006, no lift, max tires?

Currently have p245-65-17 tires, thinking about going up to p265-70-17 tires...anyone know if these will "rub"? It'll add roughly 2 inches to the entire diameter and 1 inch to the width.

Thanks...new guy here in case my rookie question didn't give it away.....

 

[TMAC01120]

great chart!

i hVE A 2002 EXPLORER WITH STOCK RIMS AND TIRES. CAN I PUT BIGGER TIRES ON IT WHILE KEEPING THE EXISTING STOCK 16 INCH RIMS?

 

[NHarris]

i hVE A 2002 EXPLORER WITH STOCK RIMS AND TIRES. CAN I PUT BIGGER TIRES ON IT WHILE KEEPING THE EXISTING STOCK 16 INCH RIMS?

Yep....
Without any rubbing I think you can go 255/75/16. If you can stand a little bit of rubbing, during hard turns, than you can go up to a 265/75/16 which I beleive is the largest you can go on a 3rd gen.

 

[TMAC01120]

Yep....
Without any rubbing I think you can go 255/75/16. If you can stand a little bit of rubbing, during hard turns, than you can go up to a 265/75/16 which I beleive is the largest you can go on a 3rd gen.

okay with the 255/75/16's can you notice the difference?
and can you feel the rubbing a lot on the 265's?

 

[nathan626]

hey all i am a newbie to explorers just bought my first one. a 97 4 door xlt control trac. according to the post i can run 31x10.50x15 on my stock wheels without a lift or trimming the fenders. wouldn't they be rubbing pretty good

 

[NHarris]

okay with the 255/75/16's can you notice the difference?
and can you feel the rubbing a lot on the 265's?

I wouldnt suggest running 265's without a lift. This thread, 265's were put on, now with em on kstrayhorn wants a lift to clear the tire rub
My New Shoes (Lots of Pics)

 

[jrp5291]

i see that all these applications are for 15 inch wheels. is there a reason for that? if i wanted could i get 16s or 18s?

 

[grant00]

i see that all these applications are for 15 inch wheels. is there a reason for that? if i wanted could i get 16s or 18s?

Yes you could, just i guess a lot of us on here are the off-road types and the 15" wheels just look good and theyre cheap to get as steelies go

 

[NUFX]

I plan to buy Pirellis. A lot of my friends living in the USA told me that they are rugged enough to be fitted for 4-Seasons.

I saw a number of posters here having Pirellis.

I say good buy.

I want something similar to this one. (Credit goes to the Imageshack uploader)

They seem great. A real outfit for the 4 seasons whether the chilly spring, the menacing heat of summer, mild autumn and the freezing winters. Also found 4-Season tires (OEM, Aftermarket) from 4-Seasons.

I'm looking to buy one.

 

[renzAy34134]

07 explorer 255/80?

I have a 2007 explorer eddie bauer and I was wondering if 255/80/17 will fit with no lift? A little cutting I am not worried about but if I have to start hacking away at fenders and junk its not worth my time.

 

[riored4v]

We own a 2008 Explorer with the stock 16" rims and stock ride height. What is a good/big tire size that will still fit under the truck with no rubbing?

Thanks for the help in advance

 

[renzAy34134]

On my ex the stock size is 245/65/17. You could prob go with a 265/70/16. maybe a 265/75/16. But Check the first page of this post. It gives all tire sizes.

 

[riored4v]

First post only covered up to 2001...?

 

[tjsxplodr]

Ok, after my front suspension issues and muffler are fixed, my next project I've planned to start saving for is a lift/new big tires for my '91. I plan to keep my stock wheels, at least for the present time.
What will it take to raise the X and should I raise just the suspension or figure in a body lift? I plan to eventually make it a trail rig, there's lotsa nice trails out here, not the extreme kind, but enough to make me wanna lift and get biggie tires.

I was told by a neighbor that he knew someone who had an explorer that he used ranger coil spring spacers in the front two springs, and then raised the back with boxes? Any idea what he's talking about?

 

[Mrlee75]

Has anyone ran into issues with bigger tires on a 2nd gen? I know there was that recall/incident regarding tires blowing out etc. just wondering if anyone has had any issues. looking to get bigger tires, but I get that warning from websites about manufacturer requirements.

 

[grant00]

No issues driving wise with mine... I bought mine at Americas Tire CO and had them mounted on the wheels and balanced but they would not mount them on the vehicle because of all the warnings and what not that show up in their system because the BFG Ats are Light Truck tires instead of P-metric tires.

 

[Mrlee75]

so they just mounted on the wheels and had you mount them on the vehicle yourself?

btw. i see you have pomona, ca (school). you go to cal poly pomona?

 

[grant00]

so they just mounted on the wheels and had you mount them on the vehicle yourself?

btw. i see you have pomona, ca (school). you go to cal poly pomona?

Correct. They wouldn't do it for liability reasons because of all the recalls with the second gen. explorers and rollover risk, etc...

...yup I go to Cal Poly...