Bigger Tires!!!

[votedave]

I just bought my 1991 4X4 and I love it already! I have had some bad luck (I had to replace the engine after only 11 miles...it cracked a head...then, I had to repalce the heater core and heater fan) but I really like the truck a lot! My question is...what size tires can I fit on it? I know that there are many people who say that you can fit these huge tires under the body but my question is more about driveability. I live in Colorado and frequently take trips into the mountains (12,000ft + elevation) and as best as I can tell I have 3.55 gears (by the code on the door). I cannot afford to replace the gears so what are the biggest tires I can get without loosing my mountain performance and killing my gass milage? 30's? 28's? Please let me know. There are several people here in Denver who have sets of tires and wheels for sale but I need to know which size will suit me best. Thanks for your help, votedave.

 

[pope_face]

If you look in the tire and wheel forum, there is an extensive chart of wheel/tire combos that will fit and the lifts/modifications required to use them... however, with no lift, you can fit 31x10.50's on 15x8" rims with 3.75 backspacing... but, that's without a lift. Get some shackles for the rear and lift coils for the front and you might be able to run 32's...

 

[95offroadx]

go with 31x10.5's...dont get a all terrian tire though. get a mud terrian tire...with all the new tires coming out there are some mud terrians that kick ass on the street. My pro comp m/ts are nice on the road, you can hear the tires a little but that doesnt annoy me

 

[Tilt168]

vote dave-
welcome! and come check out www.RMFTC.com, the rocky mtn ford truck club. great forum and group of guys.
I have a set of great Pro Comp 32/11.5 R15 MTs on black american racing wheels for sale if you are interested, and I agree pope, get a lift! 1st gens are really easy to lift so go for it!

 

[pope_face]

Hey Tilt...

How much for the wheels?

 

[Tilt168]

What are you offering, there are a cpl ppl interested but no one has set a firm offer.
New they seem to be going around 160, so 100/tire, and I'll throw the wheels in for 20/ea so 600tot?
oh wait...are you just asking for the wheels? that might change things...pm me and we'll talk!

 

[Arthur]

you can fit 31's and I agree with 95offroadx about the all-terrains... I regret getting all-terrains I wish i went for something more aggressive, but they are better than street tires here's my rig to give you an idea of what the 31's will look like with the stock suspension

 

[pope_face]

What are you offering, there are a cpl ppl interested but no one has set a firm offer.
New they seem to be going around 160, so 100/tire, and I'll throw the wheels in for 20/ea so 600tot?
oh wait...are you just asking for the wheels? that might change things...pm me and we'll talk!

PM sent... <really needs new wheels>

 

[votedave]

But guys, I know who big of tires I can fit unter my X. The question is...how big can I go without changing gears? Already I have a hard time getting up the mountains (I'm stuck in the right lane with the VW's and simis). Maybe though the question should be...how easy (cheep) would it be to change gears to say 4.10? Are there any X's (or Rangers) that come geared that way (maybe I could find a set at a junk yard)? Arthur, I like the way your X looks, did you change gears?

 

[Tilt168]

yeah a lot of explorers came with 4.10s so you can find them in junkyards if you really wanna go that way...but if you are going to change your gears why not go bigger?

 

[95offroadx]

most shops charge $200 labor and $200 for the gears(you need front and back) soo you can expect to pay a $800(atleast most likely more)...if you wait around people are always going to a solid axle, and you can find some d35's and 8.8's with 4.56 gears going cheap

 

[Black Goblin]

yeah a lot of explorers came with 4.10s so you can find them in junkyards if you really wanna go that way...but if you are going to change your gears why not go bigger?

How am I to find out what gears mine has in it? I know I have the LSD. And the door says it has the D4 rear end but not sure on the gears. Just want to know so I know what gears to put in when I go to 33's from my 31's. I am going bigger when I get the money because it will look funny to have a 5 or so inche lift with 31's. I have the original window sticker for my truck and it said that the performance rear end was ordered for it.

 

[FROADER]

Axle codes on the inside door panel

41 - 3.27 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
45 - 3.55 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
46 - 3.73 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
42 - 4.10 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D1 - 3.27 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D4 - 3.73 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D2 - 4.10 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)

You will be ok with 31s with those gears. If you're going to 33s I would suggest re-gearing to 4.56.

 

[Black Goblin]

Axle codes on the inside door panel

41 - 3.27 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
45 - 3.55 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
46 - 3.73 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
42 - 4.10 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D1 - 3.27 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D4 - 3.73 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D2 - 4.10 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)

You will be ok with 31s with those gears. If you're going to 33s I would suggest re-gearing to 4.56.

Tanks for the info Froader. Now I just have to find some before I get the 33's.
Yeah I noticed I can still do burnouts pretty easy with the 31's on it. It is fun watching people trip out when they see an explorer do that lol. I get kicks out of the smallest tings. :exp: