AWD Tire sizes

[Jimi_73]

Hey guys new to the thread, great site by the way. I'm sure its probably in here somewhere but I was wondering about tire size on the AWD models. I've always heard you couldn't change the tire size on an AWD but I've never heard it from anyone like the guys on this forum. I am talking about the AWD and not a 4WD. I have a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer AWD I love to death but would like bigger tires and wheels and maybe even a small lift. Any advice is welcome and thanks for having me on the forum.

 

[sport97]

Welcome. You can up the size they just have to be the same tire size front and back with similar wear levels or the AWD transfer case won't like it. Take a look around for lift info. You can get 2" from TT(twisting the torsion bars) and lift shackles.

 

[Jimi_73]

kinda what my basic knowledge was telling me so basically I can go up in rim and tire size but all have to be the same

 

[DUNE RCR]

kinda what my basic knowledge was telling me so basically I can go up in rim and tire size but all have to be the same

As long as the diameter of the tires on all four corners stay the same then you will be fine. Just dont forget to get a matching spare.

 

[Jimi_73]

ah ya thanks a lot for reminding me about a same size spare I actually would have spaced it

 

[IAmTodd]

I believe you can have up to a quarter inch difference in tire size before AWD becomes upset. I wouldn't worry much about the spare as the correct wheel on the opposite side should balance out the speed. It should only be temporary as well.

 

[DUNE RCR]

Trust me, you dont want to run different sized tires on the AWD. It wont be your transfer case to go, but it will be your weakest link, which in my case when I had a flat once. One of my U-joints turned out to be my weakest link. The AWD transfer case had a Viscous coupling inside it to help for different sizes (figure if you have a tire that has more air in it then the others) along with allowing the front and rear to run slightly different from each other when turning.

 

[DUNE RCR]

Trust me, you dont want to run different sized tires on the AWD. It wont be your transfer case to go, but it will be your weakest link, which in my case when I had a flat once. One of my U-joints turned out to be my weakest link. The AWD transfer case had a Viscous coupling inside it to help for different sizes (figure if you have a tire that has more air in it then the others) along with allowing the front and rear to run slightly different from each other when turning.

To correct myself you are right you can differentiate a little but in my case having 33" tires and a stock spare(at the time) is not a good idea.

 

[Jimi_73]

good info guys had several 4WD's in my day but first AWD I new it was a bit touchy, I'll just have to be safe I love this vehicle and wanna get it up a bit cause I camp in the Bighorns many times a year

 

[weh87]

I'm driving a 99 mountaineer 5.0 AWD I did a TT and shackles which I purchased from Autozone and upgraded my wheels to bullit wheels and wrapped em in 265/70/17s ATs great combination.

 

[DUNE RCR]

Just to show whats in the sig. You can do anything you put your mind to, just research what you want and it can be done.

Body lift from a 99 Ranger, TT, Shackles from AutoZone and some minor trimming.

 

[Jimi_73]

I would be happy for it to sit just like that ...how big of body lift is that

 

[DUNE RCR]

3 inch. The only problem is the rear bumper brackets, I had to custom make my own cause the ones with the kit didn't work.

 

[rabbit91]

Used to be AWD, 265/75/16s

 

[FIND]

I've got 265/60R18 on my AWD. TT and shackles, but they fit just fine without the lift. You don't want to go much wider than them on stock spacing, but you can go up to 31" tall without a lift. Mine are about 30.5 tall. The question is how big do you want to go? If you go 33" or bigger, you will also want to start thinking about gears too.

 

[DUNE RCR]

I'm in the process of getting gears and converting mine to 4WD.

 

[Jimi_73]

Any recomendations on rim size for better prices on tires now and future? Seems the more common sizes get the better deals around here not just whats bigger costs more

 

[DUNE RCR]

Not sure really on the prices of rims and the sizes. I am using these rims only cause I had them from my ranger when I blew up the engine in that. Mine are steel 15x10 with 2.5 backspace. I think these are roughly 60 a piece new.

 

[MercuryMullet]

almost bald 265/70/16 off a newer 4wd ranger. No lift. Would look nice with a 1-2" tt and a shackle or leaf but I'm going down a size since its a pavement pounder. (talking about the stock one)