How the H-E-double hockey sticks do I get wider tires on my 2002 XLT

[tytanutt94]

I've briefly browsed through the forum sites and I've often heard of spacers to "push" the tires out some... I've recently spent money on new tires 235/70/16 dunlop mud rovers (they were on sale $90 a piece) couldn't pass that up... While I was tire shopping, I asked if I could go wider and was told I couldn't due to fact that not enough space between tire and coil springs. I would like a mild push or point to ideas to create more space in that area. Since I do eventually want to do some mild/medium mud splashing fun, I still want my wheel lugs intact after I'm done... Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks for anything in advance...

 

[EricM]

I can't see how a wider tire would touch the spring. You'll hit other things before you get close. Not a great picture, but the inside of a 275-65-17 on a Cobra wheel:

 

[james t]

You can actually run a wider tire with a deeper backspaced wheel on the new Explorers than on the 95-01's. The tire shop was full of crap. I cant see you needing spacers on anything on a 3rd gen.

 

[NusenseSD]

I know I fit a little wider tires without any problems.. When I had a couple of holes in the 235/70 factories I went to a 245/70 Toyo Open Country.. Got a really good deal on them was like $75 a piece..

I have seen a couple other people on here with 265/70's on stock rims on the newer 4 doors..

 

[tytanutt94]

Thanks for the info...

It just pisses me off a bit that tire dealers aren't willing to put on what you want... I know they have to protest themselves by the way of safety issues with tires but if I wanted to put 245/75's or 255/70's on my truck (which I did) why couldn't they just do it... don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the extra traction I now get in the dirt/mud with my Mud Rovers vice the silly a$$ car "wanna-be" truck tires the manufactures put on SUV's. But, it just ticks me off a bit that I know what tires would be perfectly safe and work on my truck... OK, I'm better now...

 

[srcoptdc]

tytanutt-
you have pics of what the mud rovers look like on your '02? i'm running street wheels/tires now since there are no lift kits available yet. but i kept my stock wheels and may want to swap them out for more off-road-ish tires every once in a while.

 

[tytanutt94]

Sorry, no pics of truck yet

Sorry, too cheap to buy a digital cam, or is it because the Navy just don't pay me enough. The tire store did let me roll out a tire to set it next to my truck though... But still wish they woulda let put what I wanted to on it though.... Not too much of a hummmmmm, on the road, of course my exhaust kinda covers that up....

 

[IAmTodd]

245/75 with no problem. Someone is running 285/75s on here stock. Can't remember who. He'll probably chime in sometime.

 

[davidmmm69]

I have been waiting to get some tires for my 2002 Explorer.
I do not care if they will not install them for me because I have a brother in law who works at a tech school and he can do it for me no problem... That eliviates that problem. Still not sure what size i want to go with...
Maybe 265 70 16. BFG A/T KO's which I have on my 2WD explorer and I love them...
when I bought mine they had some cheap nasty tires on mine caller jetzon still not wure where they came from...

 

[BenS]

tytanutt-
you have pics of what the mud rovers look like on your '02? i'm running street wheels/tires now since there are no lift kits available yet. but i kept my stock wheels and may want to swap them out for more off-road-ish tires every once in a while.

Here you go:

 

[EricM]

Keep in mind that those older wheels have over an inch less backspace. I think 285s would be real tight on the inside with the new stock wheels.

 

[tytanutt94]

I know it's been awhile, but...

Any idea what the backspacing is for the original rims for the 2002 XLT. I have the "custom" alloy rims. Reason why I'm asking is that I'm looking for new rims that will allow me to get those wider tires I want eventually. I don't wanna buy a set and realize too late that I made matters worse or no change in room on the backside of tire. Any help would be great, thanks all... A quick shout to EricM... The pic you showed of your corba tire is about how much room I have now. If I put my hand back where you are showing my palm is on the tire and the back of my hand is against that metal mount...

 

[rwmorrisonjr]

I'm running 255/70R16's and they fit perfectly, no rubbing or issues. Someone else put 265's on his and he says he gets a little rubbing if you turn the wheel hard but only then.

 

[dreamr]

Any idea what the backspacing is for the original rims for the 2002 XLT. I have the "custom" alloy rims. Reason why I'm asking is that I'm looking for new rims that will allow me to get those wider tires I want eventually. I don't wanna buy a set and realize too late that I made matters worse or no change in room on the backside of tire. Any help would be great, thanks all... A quick shout to EricM... The pic you showed of your corba tire is about how much room I have now. If I put my hand back where you are showing my palm is on the tire and the back of my hand is against that metal mount...

I have run several tire widths up to 12.5 without any serious rubbing. I settled on a 33x10.5 to help eliminate some of the sheet metal trimming I would have to do. Albino is running 31x10.50 on bone stock rims and suspension with no concerns that I know of. You can check us all out at the BBQ if you have concerns.

The stock backspacing on an explorer rim is 3.75". I am currently running 4.25" backspacing with no issues.