HELP...Fitting new wheels and Superlift!!

[UK Explorer]

Just come across a problem fitting my new wheels. Have not fitted Superlift yet, but jacked X up 4" and bolted on new wheels, they are 10x15 with 4" backspace fitted with 33x12.50 BFG ATs. Problem is they stick out 4" from arches!!....how can this be?

 

[dman726749]

well your rim is 3 inches wider than the stock rim and a tire that is way wider than the stock, it will def stick out wider than stock.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

This is probably not a 911 situation.

 

[DeRocha]

The only problem I hear is your wheels are sticking out more than you thought they would. Did you not plan for this when selecting your tires and rims? I have included a Rim diagram, a chart comparing various rims, and finally a pic of my X with 33x12.5 BFG AT Ko's mounted on 15x10 3.75BS rims. As such with 4" BS your tires will stick out about 3.5" more than the stock tire/wheel setup.

Anatomy of a Wheel Rim

Rim & Tire chart

33x12.5 BFG AT KOs on AR23 15x10 3.75 BS

 

[UK Explorer]

how is it that 33x12.50 on 8 inch rim fit under arches with 3.75 backspacing?...I thought that with 4" backspacing there would only be approx 3/4 inch difference according to your diagram?

 

[DeRocha]

This is a pick of ExplorerDMB's Explorer with 15x8 3.75 BS. As you can see the tire doesn't fit completely within the wheel well. The same tire will stick out an additional 0.85" if mounted on a 15x10 4"BS wheel. One thing to consider (which many people don't realize) is that tire width depends on rim width.. A 33x12.50 tire will measure 11.6" if mounted on a 15x8 rim and 12.4" if mounted on a 15x10 rim. Besides look is there a problem with the tires sticking out too far?

 

[slravene]

just glass it and be done

 

[UK Explorer]

Besides look is there a problem with the tires sticking out too far?

Unfortunately yes, I have to get ALL tire tread coverered by arch....

 

[UK Explorer]

do you think I will have a problem with the 4" backspacing?

 

[DeRocha]

1) do you think I will have a problem with the 4" backspacing?
2) Unfortunately yes, I have to get ALL tire tread coverered by arch....

I am not directly familiar with the IFS Superlift kit you're installing, as such I cannot answer such a question with any degree of certainty. I can however tell you I have installed a 4" Skyjacker lift and Custom 3/4" Body Lift on my 1st gen explorer and still had to trim 2" of sheet metal off the rear of the front fenders to be able to clear my tires (post #4). As such I would imagine you'd need more than a 4" kit to clear your the same tires on your Explorer..

Here in the U.S many states require the tires to be coverd by the fender. Unfortunately there aren't many companies that make any beefy flares for the Explorer. I would gladly spend $1K on Bushwacker Pocket Flares if they made them, but the don't Anyway to remain legal I am installing a set of
Pacer Fender Flares on my X. They are obviously a low end product, but they are inexpensive and the only option I have found that would meet my current needs.. I don't like the look of fiberglass fenders and would rather install this product and wait for something to come along that I do like...

BTW if you visit Bushwacker's site they have a email section to let them know you'd be interested in them making products for your particular make and model.

 

[UK Explorer]

Thanks for the info, I will look into it. Can we say that as I am using a 4" back space that the difference between my setup and 8" wheels with 3.75 backspacing is 3/4" ?

 

[slravene]

yep, thats it..and the fact that the wheels are 10 inchers.

 

[UK Explorer]

why am I having so much trouble over 3/4 inch then

 

[LBarr2002]

ok...the backspacing has your wheels sitting in 1/4" more than with a 15X8 with 3.75 bs...but your wheels are 2" wider. Therefore, the wheel actually sticks out 1.75 inches more...right?

 

[DeRocha]

The difference is 3/4" (give or take due to slight variations in rim and tire fitment). The real issue is that you're going from stock to 15x10 and don't have a 15x8 rim for comparison. With only a stock rim/tire to compare the 15x10 is a huge difference.. If you could test fit a 15x8 rim & tire the upgrade to 15x10 wouldn't be as drastic.

 

[DeRocha]

ok...the backspacing has your wheels sitting in 1/4" more than with a 15X8 with 3.75 bs...but your wheels are 2" wider. Therefore, the wheel actually sticks out 1.75 inches more...right?

No... if you look at the above tire diagaram the red line indicates the stock wheel stick out distance. The 15x8 3.75BS sticks out 2.8" more than stock while the 15x10 3.75 sticks out 3.8" more than stock... Therefore a 15x10 4BS will stick out 3.55" more than stock.. So the difference between a 15x8 3.75bs and a 15x10 4BS would be 3.55-2.8= 0.75"

 

[UK Explorer]

thats what i meant

got a REAL big problem now, the installer has just informed me has NO bolts for the front Superlift!!...he is telling me he is going to put it back together as standard as he has no space in his workshop, anyone experienced this before?

 

[slravene]

call superlift and complain...they will most likely ship you what you need at no cost to you.

 

[davidmmm69]

just glass it and be done

do not do that get some fender flares..

 

[slravene]

why would you not glass it....its a personal preference, and mine would be to glass it.