245/70/R17 vs. 255/70/R17

[Foo]

It will be time for new tires soon on my 2003 Explorer...I'm trying to decide between two different sizes:

Factory is 29.5".

245/70/R17 : 30.5" Tire.

255/70/R17: 31.1" Tire.


Here's the deal, I don't off-road per say, but it just looks like crap with the smaller tires on it and I would like a smidge more ground clearance than factory. I absolutely do not want it to rub at full-lock or have to modify the inner fender wells, at all.

I also do not want to go up to a 265 tire, I'm sure the wider they are the more they are prone to rubbing. They will also be some type of All-terrain tire and not a mud-tire so I've read that will help a little.

Which would I be better off with? There really aren't any other sizes that I trying to decide between.

 

[JCUZ]

I have 265/65/17 on mine in an AT pattern (Mickey Thompson STZs) - no rubbing, fill the guards nicely, no increase in tyre noise an the speedo becomes accurate!

 

[Joscibo]

I have 265/70/17's on my 04 and no rubbing at all! I recently powder coated black the 17's and the 16's. I have and the 16's on and with the 235 's they look retarded after having the 265's on. I will be selling the 16's they just don't look right or I'm going to look for 255/70/16's not too big.

 

[Aluminum]

I would go with the 255's In my opinion bigger is better, I have 265/70/17's I had no rub except when I went down hill and turned my wheel all the way and rub was minimal, The rubbing went away when I installed my body lift

 

[Ronin8002]

I have 265/65/17 on mine in an AT pattern (Mickey Thompson STZs) - no rubbing, fill the guards nicely, no increase in tyre noise an the speedo becomes accurate!

I have those tires as well and love them!

 

[MyExplorerEats$$]

hey guys hope this is not a bad spot to post a question sorry if it is
but i have a explorer xls 03 looking into changing tires and as thinking of getting BF A/T ko size 265/70/16 there wouldnt be rubbing would there?

 

[JCUZ]

hey guys hope this is not a bad spot to post a question sorry if it is
but i have a explorer xls 03 looking into changing tires and as thinking of getting BF A/T ko size 265/70/16 there wouldnt be rubbing would there?

265/70/16 is what I had on my previous explorer - it is the same overall diameter as a 265/65/17, which I am running on current explorer. You should have no issues at all.

 

[MyExplorerEats$$]

So which might I beagle to run with out rub ? I plan on doing the 1.5 inch body lift over the summer. Would a 285/75/16 work? What might be the biggest w/o major mods (I don't mind the modding just not in the middle of winter lol sorry for all the questions

Thanks,
Stockton

 

[JCUZ]

Maybe use the search function - pretty sure these questions have been covered, but I just can't remember the answers....sorry.

 

[Pito03]

Anyone have any pics of their third gen explorers running 245/70/17, 255/70/17, 265/70/17... Thanks in advanced.

 

[anthonymtz]

Anyone have any pics of their third gen explorers running 245/70/17, 255/70/17, 265/70/17... Thanks in advanced.

Same here! If anyone has pictures I would love to see what they look like, I have the limited aluminum wheels and want something wider for a more aggressive look and to help with a bit of body roll! Thanks!

 

[drdoom]

255/70R17 & Rancho Quick Lifts.