31x10.5 with no lift?

[lish_xlt]

i have read many of the posts in this lift section, and alot of people said that you can run 31's with out a lift and they wont rub. is this true? i need new tires and i am looking at the BFG all terrains and wanted a 31 size, but i dont have the extra money for a lift

thanks,
Lawrence

 

[boominXplorer]

yes

 

[eric©]

I've got Firestone Wilderness ATX tires on my 91 4x4, 31x10.50x15, on an 8" rim. They DO rub on the street (haven't had them off road yet, broken auto hubs), tho it appears that its mainly hitting the plastic airdam. I would suspect minor trimming would take care of it. Since I'm going out to the garage in about 5 minutes to install a 4" suspension lift, I'm limited to my suspicions

 

[Jason94sport]

Each X is different. You might rub, you might not. Get 1 tire mounted on your rim, & test fit.

 

[davesexplorer]

you can lift the ex relatively easy too - without too much $$ all's it'd really cost for a cheapo lift is the alignment dough for the front TT and shackles in the back, many swear by Warrior's WAR153 I believe. My bud's 95 explorer sport only rubbed on a bit of the inner fenderwell plastic with 32x11.50's stock, so I showed him the TT and got him some shackles in back-no more rubbing on the road. But every truck is different!

 

[expobronc]

my 92 rubbed the crap tastic running boards i had and the sway bar on full lock, but well worth it

 

[jimbo74]

you must realize with any tire size change that something wont be the same..... some stock explorers rubbed with stock tires... some stock explorers fit 31s with no rub.....

 

[general x]

i had some 31 by 10.5 tires on an unknown size rim (it was wide) and the tires would rub on the plastic inner fender and a little bit of the metal outer fender when 4x4'in, the rear tires fit in the rear fenders near perfectly aside from a bit of rubbing where the fender lips inwards

 

[lish_xlt]

thanks for the help. how much do the shackles cost? and i have seen where some people "add a leaf"? how much does that cost?

 

[jimbo74]

shackles and add a leaf can be had both new for under $100

how will you lift the front? both the AAL and Shackles are for the rear, and the rear isnt what has the rubbing issue

 

[lish_xlt]

i was thinking about doing a TT for the front

 

[taknitezX2]

it all depends on what wheels u have to. ive got 4'' lift and my 31s rub do to the 3.75 offset of the wheels. just hack the fenders if needed

 

[explrig91]

the biggest i could fit on my explorer was 32x11.50 on eight inch rims. they did rub on the inside air dam but a utility knife took care of that. i have yet to rub on or off road.

 

[PolarBlueIce]

My 31 x 10.50 on 7" Rim do not rub

Hey there, for what it's worth, here is another example, my 1998 XL with 7" rims now has 31" x10.50 (GoodYear ATS) on it, and at its tightest spot still has at least 1" clearance from rubbing. Check out some close-up pics of these tires--viewed straight on, and with full turns, showing the 1" clearance. www.pacificislandsinfo.com/xplorer/explorer.htm Cheers, Vincent taori@tvds.net

 

[96limitedX]

i have 31s on mine. and earlyer this summer i lowered my truck for fun about 2 1/2". on the 31s...and not rubbing i had lots of room. so 31s at stock for 95-01s are fine

 

[jimcom]

PolarBlueIce....
Thanks so much for posting a link to your site. The different views and pics of wheel clearance alone are reason enuff for a mod to sticky that info. So many people ask if 31's will fit, well your pics certainly would help them.
Fantastic site you've made.

EDIT: One question I have for you, what is the OD of those goodyears? I know often times when a tire says it's a 31", it is sometimes less or more, for example, pro-comp AT 31" tires have an OD of 30.2". Thanks!

 

[IAmTodd]

Fit 31s on two Explorers with no problems. They say that the 265/75(equivilant) will allow slightly more clearance.

 

[FordLover]

shackles and add a leaf can be had both new for under $100

how will you lift the front? both the AAL and Shackles are for the rear, and the rear isnt what has the rubbing issue

actually, I had cooper mud tires in 31x10.50 on the stock wheels, and the only place I ever got rubbing was when I'd stuff a tire in the rear, it'd rub on the inside of the wheel well and was quite annoying. BTW I pulled my chin spoiler off my bumper the day I got my truck, so I don't know if the tires would have rubbed it at all.

I think it has more to do with the aggresivness of the tire, I think all terrains are less likely to rub than a mud terrain.