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Solved Lifts and Max tire sizes

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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!

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Same for Ranger?

Are all these specs on sizes the same for the Ranger?
Wait....Duh...sorry all, I just read the Forum Description.
 



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I have an 04 explorer. If I put 32x10.50x17 as listed in the first post (265/70/17), will I need to change anything else to get the speedo to read right, or do the newer explorers compensate somehow?
 






Question about Tire Size and AWD?

Hi Gang,

New to all this...and actually went through a lot of this thread to see if I could find an answer to my question. If this isn't the proper location, please direct me to where I should move it and I'll do that (won't cross-post). Here's the scenario:

I'm considering an '02 XLS AWD 4.0 Explorer and took the beast on a test drive. On my first run, ran like a champ with no "unusual" events. Got back to the dealer (not Ford) and had my wife take it out also. While she was driving, my wife and I (and the salesman) all noticed a weird "shudder" coming from the left rear when decelerating from highway speeds to take a right hand exit. Driving straight didn't have the problem. Couldn't test it on a left exit (weren't any around).

Salesman left a note for the dealership's shop mechanic to check it out. Today they called and told me the problem isn't anything really mechanical, but with the tires. The original tires were 235/75/16 and the previous owner moved up to 265s. Their mechanic says the AWD system isn't really configured to handle a larger tire and that they'd recommend swapping to a smaller :eek: tire (nooooo, they're brand spanking new Michelin LTXs!). This just doesn't seem right to me. Is this accurate?

I've owned probably 10 or so 4x4s and I've never run into this. Seems weird to me. I asked them to check the brakes and the bearings, but the mechanic insists this is the problem.

Any ideas?
 






Yeah I'm thinking brakes (rotors). There shouldn't be much of a difference (in radius) between the two tires.
 






That was my second thought (first was bearings). I put a call in this AM to get them to look at the brakes again - apparently they put new brakes on when they first got the Explorer on the lot, so maybe something wasn't tightened properly. I don't want to buy the thing and end up spending big $$ to get the bearings redone, or heaven forbid something worse (bound diff).
 






What to get?

I have a 98 xlt. Im going to be going the college in the fall so money is a little tight. Right now i'm running stock rims with BFGoodrich Radial Long Trail T/A. They do very well in the snow and mud for a light SUV tire. My question is that I want to go with a little bigger tire and maybe new rims. What rim is cheap and fits well on my model and what tire is cheap but reliable. It also has to be able to go on the highway and play in the dirt on the weekends. If you guys can help that wouldbe great.:exp:

Also, if any one has an idea about intalling a winch without a winch bumper that would be great. Its just an idea i've toying with.


Current mods: Shift kit, Pro Comp off road lights, K&N filter (Soon to be cold air intake), performance breaks, CB radio

Bring our soldiers home.:salute::usa:
 






can anyone tell me what the stock rim width would be on my 97 mounty? i have stock 235/75/r-15 's on there right now and am lookin to throw some dunlop mud rovers that are 31 10.50..
 






Umm why is everything listed for 15" rims? Whats avalable for 16" rims? 75series tires is common and Ive seen 85series tires too but they dont get very wide. What are my options WITHOUT getting different rims.
 






Wheel diameter is independent of tire diameter and tire width (to a degree).
Its not the wheel that has the potential to rub up against the body, but the tire.
 






Dead Link Removed

That handy little page will convert metric to standard for you. I run 265/75-16 on my Ex, that equals a 32/10.5.
 






...95-2001 (including 2dr 95 - present)
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...

Whats the difference? I plan on running TSL's 33X12.5's, would it look/perform better with the 4" Suspension + 3" B/L or can I get away with just the 4" suspension? Does anyone out there have any pics for reference/comparison? Thanks guys!
 






Here is a 4" lift with 33x12.5on 15x8" wheels with 3.75 backspacing.

1600explorerlift33.jpg
 






Here is a 4" lift with 33x12.5on 15x8" wheels with 3.75 backspacing.

Will it be (pretty much) the same on the second gen X's? Also, anyone know if I could combine a 4" lift with maybe a TT + AAL to gain the extra height? I'd rather go all the way suspension than have to deal with an expensive (install) BL. Thanks! ;)

EDIT: Also, would it be harder to lift a 2nd gen V8? Im looking at a V8 tomorrow and would like to know what (if any) difficulties there are before gunning the deal. Thanks again! :)
 






Im trying not to get a super wide tire. 255 is about as wide I i want to go on the stock 16x8s. In order to get a 33" equilelent tire they need to be like 255 85 16. This is difficult to find in a tire that doesnt cost an arm and a leg to buy.
 






Saw this on "leetz's" Car Domain profile, just wondering if anyone has any info on this (i.e. lift size, mods, etc.) X. Thanks! ;)

EDIT: Sorry if this photo is a repost! :D
 

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Ok, yes I know how to search, and I know how to read.

I just picked up a 94 4 door for a daily. Im getting ready to SAS my BII and it currently has stock Sploder wheels with Firestone Destinations 31x10.5x15's. Since they are coming off the BII I would like to put them on the Ex. From what I read Im hoping I will be fine with the F150 spacers and WAR shackles. This will get no trail time so im hoping to do this without and rubbing.

Now my question - running a front spacer will it still be within reason for a good front end alignment without any drop brackets? And will the factory shocks be ok or do I need to buy new ones that are a little longer? Its a daily so I would like to do this in a day with no suprises so im sorry if the questions seem stupid......
 






Now my question - running a front spacer will it still be within reason for a good front end alignment without any drop brackets? And will the factory shocks be ok or do I need to buy new ones that are a little longer? Its a daily so I would like to do this in a day with no suprises so im sorry if the questions seem stupid......

Should be fine. 2" is about the max you want without changing the beam brackets to still be able to align it.
 









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Anyone have any experience doing 35s with a 3" body lift and TT/shackle setup? If i'm not mistaken i think GJarrett did it on Herc. I'd just like to know how to make them fit. If it's possible, my next set of tires will be 35s. (it'll be a while though)
 






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