Tire size with 3" McNeil front and rear fiberglass fenders

[Joel Altman]

I have been searching all over and have not found an answer so I am hoping someone here has one.

I am starting a project with a 1998 Explorer 4dr, 2wd with the 5.0. It's going to be for desert and dunes so I don't want a high center of gravity. I just ordered the McNeil Racing 4" bulge, front and rear fiberglass (link below). Just like a lot of people's projects due to money this project will go through many changes throughout it's life but for now I need to get it ready before the end of May. The fiberglass won't get here until a week before so I need to figure out what tire size I can run without them. The front are 4" wider and the wheel opening is about 3" larger. The rear is of course 4" wider also but the openings are about the same size as stock. For this first trip if I have to lift it I will just do the dreaded torsion key lift and a shackle in the back. I won't be thrashing this trip so it will work if that's what I have to do. I believe I read that you can fit a 31" tire all stock so I am wondering two things. 1. Can I fit a 33x11.50x15 tire with no lift with the new fiberglass fenders? 2. How much would I have to lift it to fit 35" tires (without rubbing)?

I only want to lift it if I have to and just enough to clear the tires so they don't rub with minor dune running..

95-01 Ford Explorer 4" Bulge Off Road Fiberglass Off Road Fiberglass Fenders

95-01 Ford Explorer 4 Door 4" Bulge Off Road Fiberglass Bedsides

Thanks in advance.

 

[corkey]

it ain't just that easy, you could run 33's for sure, maybe push it with 35's if the front is 3 inches more open, but gearing must be done for both ,so that is the issue, not tire clearance,,

 

[Joel Altman]

it ain't just that easy, you could run 33's for sure, maybe push it with 35's if the front is 3 inches more open, but gearing must be done for both ,so that is the issue, not tire clearance,,

Thanks.
It will be getting a locker with a different gear set after the tires.

 

[JungleSkunk]

Ive been eyeing these fender as well. Cant make up my mind between those or the SVT Raptor kit! Oh the money I could blow on this rig!

 

[RangerX]

The smart thing is to wait till you get the fenders and have them mounted, then see what fits. You don't want to buy tires twice (I'm assuming).

 

[Spudhut]

@corkey - what gearing ratio would you recommend?

 

[corkey]

depends on the tires, and present ratio,, if he has 373 and goes to a 35 he will need at least 488,'s,, if the present ratio is 410, then he needs 513 for 35's,,

there are other variables too,, for off road crawling only i would go one ratio higher then on the street , cause gas mileage doesn't matter as much,,

 

[TKZ]

I have been contemplating these too, Have you seen any pictures or build threads showing how to install the bed sides?

 

[PrerunnerManiac]

I have the McNeil front 'glass on my Mountaineer and I'm running 285/75/16s but I also have a mid-travel kit on the front that widens the track width 2" per side. In the rear I am still limited until I get my rear 'glass.

 

[Dirt Junky]

I have been searching all over and have not found an answer so I am hoping someone here has one.

I am starting a project with a 1998 Explorer 4dr, 2wd with the 5.0. It's going to be for desert and dunes so I don't want a high center of gravity. I just ordered the McNeil Racing 4" bulge, front and rear fiberglass (link below). Just like a lot of people's projects due to money this project will go through many changes throughout it's life but for now I need to get it ready before the end of May. The fiberglass won't get here until a week before so I need to figure out what tire size I can run without them. The front are 4" wider and the wheel opening is about 3" larger. The rear is of course 4" wider also but the openings are about the same size as stock. For this first trip if I have to lift it I will just do the dreaded torsion key lift and a shackle in the back. I won't be thrashing this trip so it will work if that's what I have to do. I believe I read that you can fit a 31" tire all stock so I am wondering two things. 1. Can I fit a 33x11.50x15 tire with no lift with the new fiberglass fenders? 2. How much would I have to lift it to fit 35" tires (without rubbing)?

I only want to lift it if I have to and just enough to clear the tires so they don't rub with minor dune running..

95-01 Ford Explorer 4" Bulge Off Road Fiberglass Off Road Fiberglass Fenders

95-01 Ford Explorer 4 Door 4" Bulge Off Road Fiberglass Bedsides

Thanks in advance.

Your fiberglass shouldnt restrict your tire size exactly. Since ive had mine front clip, ive gone from 33s to 37s. All aboit how wide and how much travel you have

 

[Joel Altman]

Sorry haven't checked my post in a while. I ended up getting some used 35x12.50x15 BFG all terrains with raceline wheels yesterday. I figured it would work out with the fiberglass. We lifted it with a floor jack at my Sons house and threw them on one side and I can tell once I have the glass on I should only need about 2"-3" more lift (shackles & torsion key) and maybe some sledge hammer action in the front. Like I said for now my goal is to get it to Pismo for Memorial day so the suspension won't be the way I want it but as long as nothing rubs for this trip I am cool with that. The goal is to do a mid-travel front end with coil-overs and some Deaver leafs in the back.

A little backstory; This Explorer was my Brother-in-laws and he had it sitting and since they lived in Paso Robles (CA), I used to tell him we need to set it up and get it to Pismo to cruise the dunes. Well he died a little over 2 years ago and after my sister-in-law (wife's sister), decided to give it to me so we can make it happen. I've had it sitting due to.....well, life. Well she passed away late last year and we finally got motivated to get it on the road. Of course the tags were 4 years expired, needed smog wouldn't start etc. We got the little V8 running pretty good, put on a Flow-master so it at least it now sounds like a V8 and after more work got it to pass smog and now it's all legal. The drivers seat frame was broken inside so we found some used Mastercraft seats for the front and put them in. Next step after the lift is the fiberglass which should be ready next week........Can't wait!

 

[Mbrooks420]

Those tires look WAY too big. I can’t imagine that running in the desert without serious rubbing issues.

 

[DirtJunky]

Youll rub in the back quite a bit. If you did SOA then you wont rub unless flexed all the way. And at full bump the front probably will as well. (Depending how offset those wheels are)

 

[TKZ]

Those wheels look like they mite have about the same offset as my 15x10s and they rubbed with 31x 10.50s with tt and shackles.
But man that sure does look good !

 

[Joel Altman]

Rubbing shouldn't be an issue with the front and rear 4" over fiberglass fenders.

 

[DirtJunky]

Rubbing shouldn't be an issue with the front and rear 4" over fiberglass fenders.

Youll have to cut your wheel wells up quite a bit. Im doing a thread on it right now. Believe that was the last thing i posted in the thread. Im just cutting mine beyond what i need so i dont worry about it again.
But you can get away with SOA and a shackle lift with minimal rubbing

The front you'll rub on the firewall/coresupport

My 2WD 1998 XLT Project AGAIN (prerunner)

 

[Joel Altman]

Nice thread Dirt Junkie. I will cut whatever I need to and plate it back in. Maybe some massaging with a sledgehammer hammer... Lol. The goal is a lower stance than what you have because it will be for desert/dunes.

 

[obaja]

Nice thread Dirt Junkie. I will cut whatever I need to and plate it back in. Maybe some massaging with a sledgehammer hammer... Lol. The goal is a lower stance than what you have because it will be for desert/dunes.

Any update with the fiberglass install?

 

[410Fortune]

I have not installed bedsides on a ex but I did recently install Mcneil bedsides on my BII....

install starts on page 14, post 262 in the thread

410Fortune 1988 Ford Bronco II Eddie Bauer 4x4

The woods and outdoors are great, but you have to have the tools to survive in it well. I love the pictures, big toys/tools, and the Excursion. I was amazed by the underside of one of those when I saw one in a dealership, on a rack. The steering arms are massive. Use RTV instead of seam sealer...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[Joel Altman]

Any update with the fiberglass install?

Here is where it stands..... I didn't want to go the whole "long travel" route because I don't have the need and with long travel comes $$$ so I went with the BFT upper control arms (UCA) and had @jbfabworks build some simple hoops with a cross-over brace and tabs on the stock lowers. I went with Sway-A-Way 10"x2" coil overs whit the Eibach 650lb coil. I couldn't tell you the travel numbers but it's not much especially since I don't have much droop before the UCA will hit the frame. I am running 35" BFG's so it will rub if I go hard on the upper front fender-well under compression but no rubbing in the rear. My next purchase will be a set of Maxtrac lift spindles and then I will be able to adjust the setup a little better. Of course the rear will be after that with some Deavers and some Sway-A-Way remote reservoir shocks. Working on the exhaust now because I need to smog it next month and it won't pass so we ripped it all out and will try two high flow CATS and see what happens. It's very hard to find a "smog guy " that can make it happen these days.....