98 Eddie Bauer Rims question.

[CaptainASU]

I just purchased a 98 X Eddie Bauer Edition. Everyting is in excellent condition including the tires. The bad part is that the tires look to be more suited to a medium sized passenger car than an SUV. The primary role of this new ride is going to be 60/40 highway/offroad. Nothing serious, just some rough dirt gravel roads and the occasional mudhole. All of that being said I need some advise on new tires. After looking over this site it appears that on an Explorer with no lift a 31x10.50x15 is the largest tire you can put on a 15x8 rim.

Now for the questions.

Does the fact that this is an Eddie Bauer edition change any of these specs?

Anybody have suggestions on a good tire in this size for around $100?

Who makes a good roof rack/basket system?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I went to AZtrucks.com the otherday and found a roof rack for my 2000 that was pretty cheap. That will probably be my next thing to get. Tire wise - an All-Terrain tire would be good for you....either BFGoodrichs All-Terrains or BFGoodrichs All-Trail Radial (something like that). Oh the EB edition for the front fender wells, I believe you MAY run into a rubbing issue - but I doubt it. BFgoodrichs tires are a small tire (considering they say 31x10.50 but they are really 30.6") So I believe you should be alright, but I'm sure someone else can help you out on that issue! Good luck.

-Drew

 

[ThunderB]

I just bought a '98 Eb and it has 265/75R16 tires. They are listed as 31.5" high. They don't look a whole lot smaller than my 33" tires on my Bronco. They are a good bit narrower at about 9.5". Doesn't your EB have 16" wheels instead of the 15?

 

[CaptainASU]

15's