33's on stock 16s or 20s?

[Karpiel73]

I need your guys help here. I have an '01 Sport and the right rear body mount is gone. So she's gonna get the 3" BL. After that I am going to hold off on the suspension lift to save money. But i'm torn between using the stock wheels ($saver) versus the 20's that I have now. Super Swamper is the company I am going with for tires. So here's a few questions:

Boggers on the stockers(painted black) or Radial IROK on 20's?

4.10's or 4.56's? Which company for the gears?

Best bang for your buck locker? (since the rear end will be tore apart)

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2677856#post2677856

^^ 4th post down is my Explorer^^

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Hey man, where are you from in Pittsburgh??? I live on the Northside by Riverview Park. Here's a picture of my lifted '03 Sport Trac...

As for your question... Cost wise I'd go for 33's on either the stockers or 33's on 15" wheels.

I bought my 33x12.50x15 GoodYear DuraTrac's for $146 each from GoodYear in Downtown and the 15x8 Cragar Soft 8's for $45 each from Summit Racing.

It cost me less to get all five wheels and tires (mount/balance, warranty, etc. included) then it would've to get four 285/75/16's (just tires).

 

[Karpiel73]

Hey man, where are you from in Pittsburgh??? I live on the Northside by Riverview Park. Here's a picture of my lifted '03 Sport Trac...

As for your question... Cost wise I'd go for 33's on either the stockers or 33's on 15" wheels.

I bought my 33x12.50x15 GoodYear DuraTrac's for $146 each from GoodYear in Downtown and the 15x8 Cragar Soft 8's for $45 each from Summit Racing.

It cost me less to get all five wheels and tires (mount/balance, warranty, etc. included) then it would've to get four 285/75/16's (just tires).

I'm from Saltsburg, its east of Monroeville. Pittsburgh is easier to explain than Saltsburg. lol I'm actually stationed in Charleston, SC though. You have a really nice ST too.
How are those Duratrac's off road? They look aggressive but it's hard finding an offroad review for them. Did you put new gears in when you moved up in the world?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

The DuraTrac's are the best on and offroad tires I've owned so far. There are alot of guys on here that swear by these tires too.

I know where Saltsburg is, I've been there a couple times when I drove OTR with loads.

As for gears, I still have the stock 4.10 LS. I plan on doing a SAS, SOA and moving up to 4.56's after that when I go up to 35's. I'm not gonna spend the money on gears and lockers now when I'll just have to replace them when I do the SAS.

 

[Karpiel73]

I was checking out the Duratrac's too but couldn't find decent reviews on them like I said. I have 3.73 open diff so I'd have to bump up a little.

It's rare that someone knows where Saltsburg is! lol So your icon pic is your rig?

 

[sport97]

Going with a 15" rim is the cheapest option for tires. I do like those 20"s you have though. I tend to agree that the 33x12.50x15 is the best simple for cost reasons. You should price up the tires for each wheel size.

As far is lockers go, do you want a selectable locker? I passed up the chance on a regular locker because I don't want poor road manners, or tire hop. A true all time locker could hurt tire wear as well, hence why I want to save for an air locker.

 

[IZwack]

Consider tire sidewall height between the 16" and 22" - this is important for off roading.

 

[Karpiel73]

As far is lockers go, do you want a selectable locker? I passed up the chance on a regular locker because I don't want poor road manners, or tire hop. A true all time locker could hurt tire wear as well, hence why I want to save for an air locker.

I know tires for 15's are the most cost effective way to go, but I don't want to spend more for rims and then I'd have 3 sets of wheels and tires. This is my dd so I won't be taking it off road every weekend and beating the snot out of it, so side wall height isn't too big of a deal to me.
As for a locker, the "regular" locker you talk about, is this also what other people call a "lunchbox" locker? I've read that tire wear isn't too bad if you take it easy around tight turns. Plus I had wanted something simple, no elocker or air locker. Unless someone changes my mind.

Thanks guys!

 

[MidnightRebel07]

There's a guy selling a Ford Traction Locker for $200. I can list the link to the ad or send it to you via PM.

 

[Karpiel73]

Ya post the link if you don't mind. $200 for a locker isn't to shabby. I appreciate all the help.

How many RPM's are you at while going 65-70 mph with those 4.10s and 33's?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Here ya go.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/2802272191.html

 

[Karpiel73]

Man thats tough to pass up. I hope he still has it in another week and a half!

 

[RockRanger]

Here ya go.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/2802272191.html

That is a limited stuck not a locker. If you have a L/S in the back already just put new clutches in it and you will be at the same point. If you are doing it on the cheap a lunch box locker like a lockright or aussie will work. Just make sure you use an open diff carrier as they are stronger. A full case detroit or ARB would be better. I ran a lockright in a ford 7.5 in my old ranger and never had problems with it. I swapped to a detroit after I blew up a ring and pinion only cause I found a deal on a complete rear axle. My wife runs a detroit in her jeep with no problems. I have a welded diff in my ranger and it flat sucks on the pavement. I would never do it to a daily driver.

For gears I would do 4.56. Little extra gear to get the heavier tires going Plus you will have enough gear when you want to run 35"s next time.

As far as rim size based on your two choices I would do the 20's with the Irocs. The boggers will suck on a daily driver and will be worn out in no time flat. I would do the 15" rims with a milder 33" tire though.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Oh, thank RockRanger. The guy listed it as a locker, my bad. I didn't know.

 

[Karpiel73]

My sport has the open diff (correct me if I'm wrong) with 3.73s in it. It just worries me that with 4.56 gears that it will be screaming down the highway @ 65-70. But I'd love for it **** and git too! Thanks for the input on the wheels and tires too, the 20s are heavy to begin with so maybe 4.56s wouldn't be too bad...why are decisions like this so tough?!

 

[Karpiel73]

Whats the difference between L/S and a locker?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Because it's not cheap, lol.

 

[OffTrac]

I'm running around 2,300-2,400 RPMs at 70 on 35s with 4.10 gearing. I will probably regear in the future, but 4.10s are adequate IMO.

 

[Kazer]

How about 33's on your 20's? i got 4 275/60r20 all terrains for $200 used. they measure 33"x11"

 

[Karpiel73]

I'm running around 2,300-2,400 RPMs at 70 on 35s with 4.10 gearing. I will probably regear in the future, but 4.10s are adequate IMO.

Sounds like 4.56s would be too much for 33's then

How about 33's on your 20's? i got 4 275/60r20 all terrains for $200 used. they measure 33"x11"

I like the look of 33's on your wheels alot, looks great! I'm looking for a more aggresive tread though. I did look at that size on tirerack tough and I can't believe the price difference!