285/50-18 or 255/55-18?

I have a 97 Mountaineer and some new Centerline 18" forged wheels. Both sizes in the subject line have the same circumference as the stock 235/75-15 wheel. (Within 8 revs per mile). The 255/55-18 is also the same width. The 285/50 is wider. I need to know if anyone has tried this size tire. Is there any clearance problem at the stock height and lowered 2"? I know most recommend the 255/55 but it looks like the stock tire as far as width/height are concerned. I would like the more aggressive look of a wider tire.

Thanks,

Don

 

[Hartman]

It depends on the offset if your wheels.

 

[expo5.0]

i have tried both... there both on my truck right now lol

honestly i really wouldn't recommend running 285s on the front of an explorer. the stock steering will be pretty crappy at slow speeds and it will very likely rub. I have run 275/55/17s on the front in the past. 285s are also wide enough that if you don't want them to stick outside of the wheel wells you will only have a tiny amount of clearance on the inside between the wheels and the frame.

the real answer is to just do what i've done, i highly recommend these nittos too