Solved - Lifts and Max tire sizes | Page 24 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

  • Register Today It's free!

Solved Lifts and Max tire sizes

Prefix for threads that contain problems that have been resolved, and there is an answer within the thread.
Lift and tire size info for explorers

Lifts and max tire and wheel sizes for explorers
This is a quick reference guide I have put together based on information gathered from the Explorer Forum. Remember this is just a guide. You may have to do some fender trimming to fit these tires on your explorer. Others things can change what size tire you can run on your explorer. Like fiberglass fenders, rim width and rim backspacing.. I figured this would help some of you that were pondering what size lift to run what size tires.If anyone would like to add something go ahead and post it and I will add it to my list. If any of the moderators could make this a sticky that would be great. Hope this helps.

91-94 explorers.
No lift- 31x10.50x15 on 15x8 inch or stock (15x7) rims
1-2 inch suspension lift- 31x10.50x15 - 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rims/ may require some extensive fender trimming
2-3 inch suspension lift- 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rims
3-4 inch suspension lift- 32x11.50x15 - 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rims/ may require fender trimming
4-6 inch suspension lift- 33x12.50x15 - 35x12.50x15 on 15x8 rims/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift- 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rims/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift- 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rims/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift and 1-2 inch suspension lift- 32x11.50x15 - 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift and 2-3 inch suspension lift- 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 inch rim
2 inch body lift and 4-6 inch suspension lift – 35x12.50x15 – 36x12.50x15 on 15x 8 rim/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift and 1-2 inch suspension lift – 32x11.50x15 – 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift and 2-3 inch Suspension Lift – 33x12.50x15 – 35x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim
3 inch body lift and 4-6 inch Suspension lift – 35x12.50x15 – 36x12.50x15 on 15x8 inch rim

95-2001 (including 2dr 95 - present)
No lift- 31x10.50x15 on 15x8 rim or stock (15x7) rim
1-2 inch suspension lift - 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require some extensive fender trimming
4 inch suspension – 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim
2 inch body lift – 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rim
3 inch body lift – 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift and 1-2 inch suspension lift – 32x11.50x15 – 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift and 4 inch suspension lift - 33x12.50x15 – 35x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift and 1-2 inch suspension lift – 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift and 4 inch suspension lift – 33x12.50x15 – 35.12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming.

You may be able to run 33x10.50x15s inplace of 32x11.50x15s

2002-2005 Ford Explorers
Click here for lift option #1
Click here for lift option #2
No lift - 32x10.50 or equivelent in Metric Measurements on Stock Wheels (265/75/R16 or 265/70/R17) - no modification needed!

Dead Link Removed
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year.
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





Yeah 15x8 is good.

There is Randy's Ring and Pinion or ebay for gears. I'm not sure about good places other than those. I've ha a buddy get mine when I need them.

For lockers I would do a Detroit Full locker in the rear. It's fine for the DD part of the driving and works great for the off-roading. My preference for the front is a limited slip. I have had the Detroit TrueTrac in my last 2 trucks and will keep using them. If you want a full locker up front, I've heard nothing but good things about the Aussie.
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year.
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





Thanks for all the help man, i've got my shopping list ready. If you weren't so damn far away i' just buy yours.
 






2000 Explorer sport 4x4 (stock)

Hey Chris:Couple questions:

1) On the tire chart here you show: 31x10.50x15 on 15x8 rim. I have stock rims on my 2000 Explorer Sport but are 16. On my stock Sport rims can I then put on 31x10.50 x 16 or is that not correct? I won't have a lift at this time and want it to fit. And if that is correct what tire size is that If I want to order some tires?

2) Later I might do the tt up front my self. But I would like to put on heavier leafs in the rear so the rear is a bit higher (1 inch higher) than the front to help when it is loaded down a bit when hunting. Does the back being an inch higher than the front cause any drive line concerns? I'm thinking a 1 inch TT up front and 2inch lift leaf in the rear.

And second, could you help me with a link for a rear leaf kit for my 2000 Explorer Sport 4x4 about 2-3 inch.

thanks man it would help a bunch, Redman02:)




++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2002-2004
No lift-265/75-16 may reqiure some trimming depending on which brand of tire
and width of tire The only trimming known as of today, inside fender well at full turn in front of tire, only 1 inch of plastic skirt

95-2001
No lift- 31x10.50x15 on 15x8 rim
1-2 inch suspension lift - 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require some extensive fender trimming
4 inch suspension ? 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim
2 inch body lift ? 32x11.50x15 on 15x8 rim
3 inch body lift ? 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift and 1-2 inch suspension lift ? 32x11.50x15 ? 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
2 inch body lift and 4 inch suspension lift - 33x12.50x15 ? 35x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift and 1-2 inch suspension lift ? 33x12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming
3 inch body lift and 4 inch suspension lift ? 33x12.50x15 ? 35.12.50x15 on 15x8 rim/ may require fender trimming.

You may be able to run 33x10.50x15s inplace of 32x11.50x15s
 






So let me get this straight, you have a 3" Body Lift on your X now (pictured)? Looks good as it is but Im sure it'll look way better with the 35's! Im soooooooo jealous! :ca:


I just put 32s on my Ex a couple weeks ago and i stumbled onto a set of 35/12.50/15s that i want to use in the spring. They are 90% tread and i picked them up from a buddy who bought a suburban for parts, paid $150 for all 4. I have a 3" body lift and i have a 4" rough country suspension lift waiting to go on in the spring......

93ltex1ox6.jpg
 






Yeah, that's with the 3" body lift. Cheapest way to clear 32's it cost me 106.00 for the lift from Summit Racing. 33's would probably fit but i got 32's so that i can put them on my '95 when i put 35's and another 4"s of lift on it.
 






2000 Explorer sport 4x4 (stock)
Hey Chris & Joe :Couple questions:

1) On the tire chart here you show: 31x10.50x15 on 15x8 rim. I have stock rims on my 2000 Explorer Sport (not sport track) but are 16. On my stock Sport rims can I then put on 31x10.50 x 16 or is that not correct? I won't have a lift at this time and want it to fit. And if that is correct what tire size is that If I want to order some tires?

2) Later I might do the tt up front my self. But I would like to put on heavier leafs in the rear so the rear is a bit higher (1 inch higher) than the front to help when it is loaded down a bit when hunting. Does the back being an inch higher than the front cause any drive line concerns? I'm thinking a 1 inch TT up front and 2inch lift leaf in the rear.

And lastly could you help me with a link for a rear leaf kit for my 2000 Explorer Sport 4x4 about 2-3 inch.

thanks man it would help a bunch, Redman02


Second try here, thanks.
 






Yeah, that's with the 3" body lift. Cheapest way to clear 32's it cost me 106.00 for the lift from Summit Racing. 33's would probably fit but i got 32's so that i can put them on my '95 when i put 35's and another 4"s of lift on it.

Thanks big guy! :ca:
 






Im sorry that im too lazy to read through the whole thread to find the anwser but the question is. I have an 02 Sport and was wondering what was the biggest tire i cud put on my stock 16" rims with out causing rubbing on the trim and no lift. Thanks.
 






Im sorry that im too lazy to read through the whole thread to find the anwser but the question is. I have an 02 Sport and was wondering what was the biggest tire i cud put on my stock 16" rims with out causing rubbing on the trim and no lift. Thanks.

No need to read the entire thread. It's in the very first post....

95-2001
No lift- 31x10.50x15 on 15x8 rim
I know it says 15" wheel, but a 31 is a 31. You can run a 31 which is a 265/70/16
 






but that was the 95-01 sport. mines an 02 does that change things?? thanks
 












o ok. sorry, dumb question. preciate it
 












I can't believe I read the WHOLE thing...

....actually, I just skimmed through all of the posts, reading the one that primarily dealt with first gen Xs. I just recently came across a 93 Sport 4wd for $800.00 that runs great, 4wd drives works great, and tranny shifts great. It has 10.50s on it, and they don't rub at all, although I have yet to use it for anything serious off road. My 87 BII ( my 15 yr old son claims it, but it still belongs to me for the moment ) is basically stock with the 2" spring spacers and 2" block in the rear and 10.50/15s. The spacers didn't affect ride quality at all, so that will be the first thing I do to the X. Planning on the spacer/shackle set up, just to get some added clearance for tires ( mainly for cosmetic reasons).

I said all of that to say this: the chart is a great starting point. If you have a question, go to the first page of the post BEFORE asking said question. Chances are the answer is there. Also, if it was typed once, it was typed 50 times, that every individual vehicle is slightly different. Froader, I couldn't help but to be amused at some of your responses. It was painfully obvious that your patience was being tested a few times, but you delivered!

Great forum, great website.
 






Just bought a totally stock Ex and have been reading over this thread and numerous others related to tires, suspension and ground clearance- apparently one of the first concerns when anyone is considering taking an Ex offroad. For those of you wishing to do side-by-side comparisons of standard tire dimensions to look at diameters, sidewall heights and relative effects on odometer/speedometers, here's a useful calculator: http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi

Just type in the several tire sizes to be compared and submit to get the table.
 






How big can I go on my ST?

Im about to buy some 33's for my Sport Trac and Ive already done the TT but Im still not sure if they will fit with a little fender trimming, I have 265/70/16's on now so its only 2 more inches, can anyone help me out or give some advice?
 






What's a good 16" or 17" rim? Would it be better than the stock 15" rims I have now?
 






Im about to buy some 33's for my Sport Trac and Ive already done the TT but Im still not sure if they will fit with a little fender trimming, I have 265/70/16's on now so its only 2 more inches, can anyone help me out or give some advice?

Check the updated chart here

Dead Link Removed

You didn't specify the year of your Sport Trac so that's the best advice i have.

What's a good 16" or 17" rim? Would it be better than the stock 15" rims I have now?

I use '01 sport wheels in 16" as posted earlier on this page. They fit fine with the stock sport tire size and fill out the wheel wells pretty nice. Here's the fit with stock tires and no lift on my '93.
Dead Link Removed
The picture earlier in the thread is after it was lifted.
 






i have a 99' explorer sport with stock lift (i dont think thats anything) and i want as big of tires as i can get on there money is limited but i am willing to spend. Help?
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year.
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.











Back
Top