Solved Lifts and Max tire sizes

[myf16]

If you do go with 31s you'll always wonder if you could've gotten a bigger tire...

Ain't that the truth! I will take your advice.

 

[myf16]

One more question. I'd like to keep the stock 15x7 rims. Can I put 32x11.50x15 tires on a 7 inch rim? Or do I need to back off to 31x10.50x15?

 

[01STrunner]

I've seen 32x12.50x15 on Jeeps a lot and a few STs.

 

[myf16]

I changed my mind on keeping the stock rims. I will probably need to retain stock rims and tires for smog testing every 2 years.

I found some 15x10 rims with 4.5 inch backspace and -52mm offset. I think that's about right for the 96 Explorer. Any comments on this rim size plus 32x11.5x15 tires?

The same guy has some 15x8 rims with 5 inch backspace. Would those be a better choice than the 15x10 rims?

The 15x10 rims currently have old 33x12.5x15 tires on them. I'm pretty sure that won't work up front with only TT but it might be fun to try.

 

[01STrunner]

33s will definitely fit with a TT. But you will want to test fit the wheels to make sure they clear the calipers.

 

[Rheun]

285/75R16 on a 2-3 " TT & Shackles

 

[97cherbal]

I have a set of the 16x7 angled D factory wheels that came on Rangers & Explorer's with LT265/75/16 MT. I had them mounted on my lifted 5.5" 2wd ranger ,but recently bought a 98 4 dr explorer that had stock 235/75/15 passenger street tires on them. I just got back from a Thanksgiving road trip from Wa. to Montana & back. I figured I would see if I could get the 3" taller tires to fit. The Lts are 32.2 tall & the 235/75/15s are 29.1 tall

As it turns out all I had to do was remove the front 6" section of the factory side skirt that attaches to the back section of the front fenders & then installed a cheap set of mud flaps to the front fenders to prevent the road debris and snow from getting into the long section of the side skirt.

If the tires were mounted on aftermarket wheels with a different offset I would not of been able to make these work.
The factory offset 16x7 even allowed me to make complete turn to turn wheel locks with out any tire rubbing any where, plus it gave me more clearance & also makes it seem as though I have a 3.27 gearing ,but its really a 3.73 geared set up.

Even though they are a load range E tire & a M/T they handle so well & performed great in the snow that now im after another set of 16x7 factory ally wheels & a new set of load range C or P265/75/16 M/T to be put onto our explorer.

I have noticed that the rear of the explorer sits a little lower in the rear so I just bought the procomp add a leaf kit for the rear & will TT the front suspension to level out the rig which will give it 1-2" of lift which should allow me to reinstall the front side skirt end caps.

So in short factory offset wheels allow for a taller tire then a aftermarket wheel

 

[chasemac]

thank you for this i have a new set of 31x10.5's from my jeep that i can use now so thank you

 

[Blackout2017]

The chart in the original post is great but it stops at 2005, plus the link to the tire size calculator is dead.

Any chance of getting info for newer Explorer models?

I have a 2010 XLT with 16" wheels and no lift. Is it safe to assume that the biggest tires I can go with are 270/70/R16, or 270/70/R17 if I get 17" wheels?

If I'm just trying to get a bit more height and clearance, does it make any sense to replace my 16" wheels with 17" wheels if the tires are going to be the same diameter anyway?

 

[Cstoliker]

I have a 2010 XLT with 16" wheels and no lift. Is it safe to assume that the biggest tires I can go with are 270/70/R16, or 270/70/R17 if I get 17" wheels?

If I'm just trying to get a bit more height and clearance, does it make any sense to replace my 16" wheels with 17" wheels if the tires are going to be the same diameter anyway?

Your "aspect ratio" (70) equals Sidewall height on the rim. 270/70R16 equals 30.9" inch diameter. If you increase to a 17" rim, the tire would be a 31.9".

If for some reason you want to run a larger rim and keep the tire diameter the same, (replace some rubber with rim) you would need to lower the aspect ratio to 65 on the 17" rim for a total of 30.8"

If the point of this is to gain some off road ability, you would want the higher side wall of the 16" rim.

 

[Blackout2017]

Your "aspect ratio" (70) equals Sidewall height on the rim. 270/70R16 equals 30.9" inch diameter. If you increase to a 17" rim, the tire would be a 31.9".

If for some reason you want to run a larger rim and keep the tire diameter the same, (replace some rubber with rim) you would need to lower the aspect ratio to 65 on the 17" rim for a total of 30.8"

If the point of this is to gain some off road ability, you would want the higher side wall of the 16" rim.

My understanding is that a 33" tire is the largest that I can run on an unmodified EX, but even then I've read reports of rubbing in very tight turns. You are saying that a 16" rim would be to my advantage, so to stay at (or safely under) 33" then my best bet is 270/70R16 tires?

Thank you very much for the info. Hopefully someone will get a chance to update the chart in the original post for newer models.

 

[Blackout2017]

After shopping around online, 270/70R16 seems like an odd size that not too many places carry. 265/70R16 is common. Any idea if this comes close enough to the same size and clearance? Or is there another size that's more common than 270/70R16 that would suit my needs better?

 

[Cstoliker]

My understanding is that a 33" tire is the largest that I can run on an unmodified EX, but even then I've read reports of rubbing in very tight turns. You are saying that a 16" rim would be to my advantage, so to stay at (or safely under) 33" then my best bet is 270/70R16 tires?

Thank you very much for the info. Hopefully someone will get a chance to update the chart in the original post for newer models.

I don't know what the max size a 10 ex will take. I was explaining how tire size relates to rim size.
For off road applications having a smaller rim with more rubber helps. For handling, the larger rim with lower profile tires is better.

As far as having the tire rub on the fenders (clearance). The type of tire makes a big difference. Tread depth isn't really accounted for on the listed size. Also a lot of tires have tread that tapers off in the edges. So if you get deep treaded tires like I did that don't taper you may have to trim fenders even though manny tires of that size will fit just fine.

 

[Blackout2017]

I don't know what the max size a 10 ex will take. I was explaining how tire size relates to rim size.
For off road applications having a smaller rim with more rubber helps. For handling, the larger rim with lower profile tires is better.

As far as having the tire rub on the fenders (clearance). The type of tire makes a big difference. Tread depth isn't really accounted for on the listed size. Also a lot of tires have tread that tapers off in the edges. So if you get deep treaded tires like I did that don't taper you may have to trim fenders even though manny tires of that size will fit just fine.

Appreciate the help, brother.

 

[Cstoliker]

Appreciate the help, brother.

Your explorer is 4th generation wich were produced largely Unchanged from 06-10. So if u find a discussion from any year in between it should be relevant to yours.

Use a simple converter to check actual diameter.

Here's a discussion for an 08. https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=314831

 

[Big_n_Slow]

Did My tires today, Size as on Wheels ( 285/75/R16 )
Next step is to lift that old lady 3" Higher. About 7 to 10 CM of total.
That's the First step of Lifting the chassis of the frame.
The second one is to install some Liftkit as for suspension. another 3"of total.

And also installing some Top-Lights as seen on the Dodge Ram.... Love My Truck Already

Before. and After.

Another one.

The Tyre Size....

Fron behind the wheel.

 

[Jake100146]

Hi all,

How accurate are these measurements?

I have put in add a lea and shackles to lift rear up from 81cm-89cm then torsion twisted front from 82-87.5cm.

How will I know that the 32" tires won't rub against the bull bar or anything like that when I turn?

Is there a way I can measure myself?

Thanks heaps guys/girls.

Jake

 

[EddieMo]

OK, what does 31x10.50x15 equate to in tire size that I'm accustom to?. Example 265/70-15???

 

[swshawaii]

^
Off-Road and 4X4 Calculators and Guides

Metric Tire Conversion

 

[EddieMo]

^
Off-Road and 4X4 Calculators and Guides

Metric Tire Conversion

awesome, thanks