Help! Widest Tire Size that I can stuff in there?

[roccov12345]

Hi All, I'm sure this has been discussed more than a few times. I've searched and searched for some answers but can't seem to find the right one. Currently I have a 98 Mountaineer, 5.0L V8 with AWD. I'm going for sort of a unique look so bare with me.

I have a set of 15x7 Gen1 explorer wheels. I'm going for a street look all around so I'm looking for a street/all year tire. I'm pretty sure the truck came with 235x75x15, which I really don't want to go with. The profile is too high and skinny for the taste I'm trying to achieve.

I would like to have wider tires in the rear, I mean as wide as I can possibly go. I was looking at sets of 255x65x15 but it's a semi hard to find tire size and not as wide as I'd like.

Another question I had was, should I stick to an identical tire size height being the truck is All Wheel Drive? I'm thinking they're might be some issues if say the back tires are an inch taller than the fronts.

Let me know your opinions. I guess my biggest question is what is the widest street tire I can jam in the rear without rubbing. I can always shave some of the fender off if that becomes an issue. I'm lowered about 4 inches in the rear. About an inch away from top of the stock tires to the fender lip.

HELP!

 

[Gatorblazer]

Ive got a 255 70 15 on my 1st gen and have had the same on the 2nd with no problems, even when pulling boats and sod. I would guess there would be no problem rubbing wise. Now with the AWD, I have no idea

 

[UtahX]

As I was told all tires should be the same size. (Discount Tire)

 

[thewishkah]

Yes with awd you have to keep same tire size front and back , you can go wider but not taller. The reason you can not go taller back to front is because the awd system will read this as the tires slipping and try to engage the transfer case to stop what it thinks is tire slippage. In the front I don't think you can go wider then 10.5 inches I have 31x10.5 and I barely have any room at full lock, any bigger and you will probably rub a bit. Good luck , Jon

 

[bender]

your stock 15x7 wheels will be the limiting factor if you ask me...you get wider wheels with the right offset and you could put anything you wanted back there...

 

[KPT]

AWD doesn't read anything. It is completly mechanical. The problem with having different height tires front and back is different size tires will cause the diff's to spin at different speeds. The driveshafts will then spin at different speeds, and you will destroy the transfer case.

 

[roccov12345]

AWD doesn't read anything. It is completly mechanical. The problem with having different height tires front and back is different size tires will cause the diff's to spin at different speeds. The driveshafts will then spin at different speeds, and you will destroy the transfer case.

Good Point, this is the information I was looking for. I kinda had the idea that this might be an issue with the AWD.

So in that case, what do you all recommend for tires. I can still get some semi decent wide tires in the rear with skinnier guys up front if I keep the same overall height.

Where's the tire Guru's. Help me figure out a matching tire size.

 

[roccov12345]

How about we figure a 275x60x15 for the rear? Opinions?

 

[Turdle]

I have been admiring the restore thread.
Good work

I fitted 275-60-17s onto cobra R wheels, with a 24 mm offset.
There is barely enough clearance, upper Balljoint area had to be "adjusted" (grinder) about 1/8 ", actually it was casting flash mostly. Emergency brake cable relocated to inner frame.I can barelt squeeze my finger between tire and frame in rear. I am lowered mind you, but at extreme lock, rubbing occurs on the front sway bar. Not much, but it does rub. Changing to a shorter endlink helped some.

So, I guess what Im saying is the 265mm width might be about it.

 

[roccov12345]

How about we figure a 275x60x15 for the rear? Opinions?

I don't think this tire can fit on a 7 inch wide rim.

 

[Turdle]

I can't imagine a 275 on anything narrower than 9" wheel.

Go with the cobra r's and cooper cobra tires

Should do the whole thing for a grand

 

[roccov12345]

I can't imagine a 275 on anything narrower than 9" wheel.

Go with the cobra r's and cooper cobra tires

Should do the whole thing for a grand

That might be my alternative. Right now the set of wheels that I have would make the mounty look quite different if it worked out right. What do you think about a 255x65x15. It's 1 inch wider than stock tires and about 1 inch less in overall diameter.

 

[roccov12345]

255 x 65 x 15, does this sound do-able?

 

[Turdle]

Is there a way they can be fit first

They are wider, and being shorter also, would increase the width appearance

 

[roccov12345]

Is there a way they can be fit first

They are wider, and being shorter also, would increase the width appearance

I'd have to order online, no one in my area can get them. It seems like they're quite the odd tire size, not sure. The load rating seems to be in the range over 2Klbs.

Indeed, thats what I'm thinking. I think tonight I'm going to go home (after work, throw the wheels on the truck and try measuring it up. The specs I have off of Tire Rack are fits 7-9" wide wheel, 10.2 Inches Wide, 28" overall diameter, load rating of 2,028lbs.

H Rated.

 

[Spoofty]

I have 255-70-15's on the stock rims on my 96. and they fit fine never rubbed. They're wider and a little taller that stock.

 

[roccov12345]

I have 255-70-15's on the stock rims on my 96. and they fit fine never rubbed. They're wider and a little taller that stock.

To tell you the truth, I think my brother has that size on his EB Explorer but on 16's.

 

[expo5.0]

rear will fit 285s without sticking outside the fender with the right backspacing

 

[roccov12345]

ok well after searching around extensively, I've noticed that almost the entire US is out of stock on these 255 65 15 tires. Here's another alternative and guys, please help me on this one!

The wheels are 15x7 Gen 1 Explorer wheels, chrome plated. I'm not sure what the offset is but I'll take a guess at around 12-14MM.

275x60x15 Rear Specs = Section Width: 10.82 in - Overall Diameter: 27.99 in - Sidewall Height: 6.49 in

235x70x15 Front Specs = Section Width: 9.25 in - Overall Diameter: 27.95 in - Sidewall Height: 6.47 in

Keep in mind the truck is AWD so I'm trying to stick with the closest possible tires without having rubbing issues in the front.

Compared to stock tires - Section Width: 9.25 in - Overall Diameter: 28.87 in - Sidewall Height: 6.93 in

So tell me your thoughts, fitment etc.......

 

[roccov12345]

I think some of the guys with Chevy Novas and such run this setup. I want to try to create a hotrod, grocery getter, suv. Gotta be different!