2003 XLT V6

[03Explo20]

Would a 255/70/16 tire fit my Explo without rubbing the fenders? Just looking to fill out the well a bit more than the stock 235/70/16 does.

 

[Number Twelve]

That's exactly the size I have on my 2005 Exploder, and they fit. I read somewhere that the limit is 265/70/16 somewhere on this site, I think.
The larger tires have a lot more load range than you need, so you have to let the pressure down a bit to get them to wear out correctly.
Then comes the Tire Pressure Monitoring System to tell you your tires are flat every time you start the engine. I just love all these extra computers. Right now, one of them is telling me to change the oil every 1200 miles.

 

[imp]

That's exactly the size I have on my 2005 Exploder, and they fit. I read somewhere that the limit is 265/70/16 somewhere on this site, I think.
The larger tires have a lot more load range than you need, so you have to let the pressure down a bit to get them to wear out correctly.
Then comes the Tire Pressure Monitoring System to tell you your tires are flat every time you start the engine. I just love all these extra computers. Right now, one of them is telling me to change the oil every 1200 miles.

@03Explo @Number Twelve : Theoretical tire rolling diameter, 235-70-16 = 28.95". 255-70-16 = 30.05", 3.8% bigger diameter.

265-70-16 = 30.61", 5.7% bigger. A 255-65-16, if available, would be 29.05" rolling diameter, only 0.3% bigger, negligible, IF available. If not, try 255-60-15, that would be only 3.1% SMALLER than the car's standard 235-70-16. imp

EDIT: I used calculated rolling diameters vs. which sizes are generally available, to get as close to the mfr. size call-out, and it worked out real well. At least takes some of the guesswork out.