Might go with 31's - what about spare?

[chefduane]

All, I am currently running stock 235/75r/15 AT's on my '98 4x4 w/ the 3.73 LSD. I am considering going to 31x10.5x15's but what about the spare? Would I have to buy an additional 5th tire for the spare? Ideally, yes... but what are the ramifications of having to mount a 235/75r/15 in an emergency? Front or rear make a difference if so? Lastly, if I do run a 31 as a spare will the thing fit underneath in the existing spare mount location, or might I have to keep it in the rear cargo area? Thanks for any insights!!

 

[colintrax]

Running a different sized spare can mess up AWD and wear out LSD. Also, I assume you're running big tires for offroading, so if you get a flat will that stock size tire get you back out? If so then whatcha got 31's for??
Far as a 31 fitting under the truck, people say it fits. Mine doesn't really fit though, the tow hitch pushes it too far forward and it'll hit the axle. However my frame isn't totally straight back there.
I usually don't carry the spare, but when I do it goes in the back or on the roof. I'll do a swing out carrier someday.

 

[drdoom]

Chef can you obtain a used 31"

 

[chefduane]

...thinking this through a bit...

I'll probably just get a new set of stock 235/75/15's and call it a day. If I do go 'off road' its usually just a dirt road to get to a fresh mowed field to blast a few doves. We do get some rare snow and ice storms here in NTX but 4x and stockers handles that pretty well. Heavy rains at times... meh.

Probly just a case of "gotta have the 31's" fever. That, and the issues of the spare, LSD, and considering its a SOHC with 208k miles, its just not worth the expense and effort.

Thanks for the feedback!!

 

[colintrax]

I'd suggest 30's if you want a little extra beef. I didn't notice any real drop in fuel mileage or power going from stock to a 30x9.5 and that size fits the spare location easily. More AT options as well.
Of course, a 30x9.5 just isn't a 31

 

[toypaseo]

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http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findPromotions.do?pgid=2138

offer is also on some tires via Discount Tire on eBay

 

[chefduane]

I've decided to stay with the stocker 235/75r/15 tire and have narrowed it down to 4 alternatives:

Goodyear Wrangler Radial (which is what I am currently running) = Good all around All Season/All Terrain tire but nothing special. Got about 40k out of my current set. Would like to have gotten more tho. 105S rated and UTQG of 300A. Can get them for about $80/tire. Cheapest alternative but no treadlife warranty.

Goodyear Wrangler SR A = Better AS/AT tire with a 50k warranty. Would probably run great on my Ex. About $125/tire best price I can find here locally. 105S rated and UTQG rating of 500A.

Kelly Edge AT/P = about the same as the Wrangler SR A but at $110/tire. Also a 50k warranty. 105S and 560A UTQG.

Michelin LTX MS2 = highly recommended by everyone. Perhaps the best tire on the list. 108T rated tires with a UTQG rating of 720AA. Treadlife warranty of 70k. Really nice tire for the Ex and the kind of driving I'm doing. Sams has them on sale Memorial weekend for $118/tire. I've seen them as high as $209! Not as aggressive tread as the others so not really an off-roader.

Thems the choices. What do you all think? I'd like to buy them from a shop that has them and just have them mounted/balanced right there than order them and have them delivered, etc..

 

[drdoom]

Chef I am running general grabber at2s in LT235/75R15 and just hit 60,000 miles and they look good still. Just a thought. They have ROWLs which is nice also. Excellent snow traction as well.

 

[toypaseo]

[MENTION=223183]chefduane[/MENTION], if you are considering the Michelin LTX MS2, I would suggest just opting for them. Hit your local Discount Tire, $118 per tire, and take advantage of the $100 rebate. That will pretty much cover the mount, balance, and taxes.

Even though I switched to Firestone Destination LE2 (similar ratings on TireRack to the Michelin), I still keep in the back of my mind about selling those, and getting another set of the Michelins. I am happy with the Firestones, so they pry will stay on until they wear down, or start to crack from age and vibration. I got rid of the Michelins mostly due to age. Minute cracking was present in the tread area from age and vibration. The amount of tread left was impressive. I pry could have hit 80K easily.

 

[Anime]

I've decided to stay with the stocker 235/75r/15 tire and have narrowed it down to 4 alternatives:

Michelin LTX MS2 = highly recommended by everyone. Perhaps the best tire on the list. 108T rated tires with a UTQG rating of 720AA. Treadlife warranty of 70k. Really nice tire for the Ex and the kind of driving I'm doing. Sams has them on sale Memorial weekend for $118/tire. I've seen them as high as $209! Not as aggressive tread as the others so not really an off-roader.

Thems the choices. What do you all think? I'd like to buy them from a shop that has them and just have them mounted/balanced right there than order them and have them delivered, etc..

The Michelin LTX M/S2 is a no-brainer, since you can get 60,000-100,000+ miles out of them compared to half that or less from the others you're considering and they are decent off road, even though they are not an All-Terrain. Bear in mind that they are a P-rated passenger tire and not a true LT Light Truck tire anymore, but they do have an XL load rating and a 50psi maximum pressure so they are about the same thing as the LT235/75R15 but better for road use, with a nylon cap and top A/A UTQG traction and temperature ratings. Only bad thing about Michelins seems to be they sometimes get cracks or the tread will chunk apart in small pieces, either from a lack of quality control or just mistakes in the manufacturing process.

They are a good deal from Sam's with a decent price when Michelin is having the $70 instant rebate, but they are an even better deal from Discount Tire with free mounting/balancing and a $100 rebate.



I know you said you already decided to stick with the stock 235/75R15 size, but just wanted to let you know other reasons that's not a bad idea. Besides the extra cost of 31's, they weigh quite a bit more anywhere from 7-11lbs more per tire, which adds a lot of rotating weight and makes acceleration slower and uses more fuel. You lose a lot of money up front when buying them and over the life of the tires in lower mileage, all for about half an inch or less in actual added height. You could turn them with the SOHC and the 3.73 rear for sure, but it's really not worth it for a vehicle that drives on pavement 99% of the time. You should be happy with the performance in the wet and snow with the LTX M/S2, not to mention the ride quality and handling/braking ability once at the proper psi.

As for the spare, it's usually not an issue, a 31x10.50 can fit fine depending on the brand and diameter, if it barely fits then some people just deflate a little so it squeaks up in there, and carry a portable compressor to inflate it should it need to be used.

 

[chefduane]

Update:

Just had 4 new Michelin LTX M/S2's installed. Significantly better ride and much quieter that the G'year Wranglers I had removed. Total was $495.26 installed and OTD with road hazard, lifetime rotation and balance, and the Mich 70k mile warranty. For these tires total less than $500 I'm pretty happy. Much better tire than was on there for sure. And I won't have to mess with a spare, just keep in aired up.

Thanks to all for the feedback and info! Happy Memorial Day and remember all those, AND their families, who have fallen so we may enjoy our freedom!

 

[chefduane]

Update Update: After driving around a while and getting them warmed up, I checked the pressure. Shop had them only aired up to 30lbs, hence the extra cushy ride. I know dealers sometimes do that with their demo cars to give a false impression of nice ride. I aired them up to 50psi as designated on the sidewall. I expect a little stiffer ride but no bother, I'm still very happy with them

 

[swshawaii]

50 PSI sounds like the maximum LTX M/S2 pressure and sounds excessively high unless you're carrying very heavy loads. Most here find between 30-35 PSI the optimal pressure for comfort, MPG, and tire wear. Ford revised the very low 26 PSI listed on some door stickers to 30 PSI due to the Firestone debacle. Try 35 cold, I think you will find it a good balance.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233048

 

[Anime]

Update Update: After driving around a while and getting them warmed up, I checked the pressure. Shop had them only aired up to 30lbs, hence the extra cushy ride. I know dealers sometimes do that with their demo cars to give a false impression of nice ride. I aired them up to 50psi as designated on the sidewall. I expect a little stiffer ride but no bother, I'm still very happy with them

50 psi is the maximum pressure, not the ideal pressure for every vehicle.

You don't need them at 50 psi unless the vehicle is fully loaded down.

They seem to give even wear at about 30-40 psi for an Explorer, if you go all the way to 50 psi without additional weight they will wear in the center and not ride/grip/brake as well, plus you will wear out the shocks and bushings from the additional harshness.

Maybe try 35 psi and go from there.

 

[drdoom]

If they are P-series I would go with Anime's advice 35psi.

 

[swshawaii]

If they are P-series I would go with Anime's advice 35psi.

They're not, that's what the LTX M/S2 is for. (LT = Light Truck and P = Passenger)

Regardless, 32-35 PSI is ideal for most.

 

[toypaseo]

I ran my Michelin LTX M/S at 5 under max pressure. Still rode great.

When I got rid of them, due to age and minute cracking in the tread, still had tons of tread left. Higher pressure did have some slight effect on treadwear, but nothing huge, and I did not care since I felt that I got my money's worth out of them. If I would have ran them at a lower pressure, I would have seen slightly less MPG, but would not have got any more money selling them used in the end.

 

[chefduane]

SWS, yeah that was a source of confusion when I first looked at this particular tire.
While the 'name' of the tire is LTX MS/2, the actual designation on the sidewall is P235/75r/15. So they are actually 'P' rated tires. I think the confusion is that the original Mich LTX AT's (and I think the LTX MS's) >were< Light Truck tires and these are not. Regardless, as I don't carry any loads that often (other than my ample butt) I think I will take the advice and air them down a bit to 35psi or so.

 

[swshawaii]

^ Apologies guys, I'm with stupid me. Maybe next time I'll read the specs.

Back to topic. I'd give up a small MPG increase for comfort any day. YMMV

 

[Anime]

The original LTX M/S was available in both LT and P-metric versions, but the main difference between them was the casing of the LT was designed to hold 50 psi for heavier loads, and so was a slightly heavier tire. The P-metric version only held 35 psi and the XL version held 44 psi. The LT tire also had an extra tenth of tread depth and a slightly lower 101/104R speed rating while the P-metric versions were S-speed rated.

The LT version of the 235/75R15 size never had the extra steel belts other sizes of LT tires do, so the Extra Load rated P-metric LTX M/S2 is pretty much the best of both worlds - a speed-rated P-metric tire that is great for pavement, load carrying, and also mild off-road use.