Oddball Tire Fitment Question

[X6StringerX]

I just introduced myself in the "noob" section of the board and made a note in my initial post that I was going to post a tire fitment related question soon. I completed a search and read through the sticky and some other threads, but my question is still unanswered.

I had a '97 XLT 4.0 4x4 Explorer a couple years ago. I put 31x10.50x15's on it and they rubbed on the A-arm when I cut the wheel. The shop I was dealing with was kind enough to exchange them for 30x9.50x15's and all was fine. BTW, these tires were Kumho Venture A/Ts.

I have a different situation now. I have since traded the '97 off and I just purchased a '98 XLT 5.0 AWD a month or so ago. The '98 has a different style wheel. I was more into off roading with the '97, hence the ATs. The '98 is going to be on the street 99% of the time, but I don't plan on buying different wheels or anything like that. I basically just want a performance street tire and at the same time, give it a slightly different look by going with something a little wider and "maybe" a little taller. I've picked out the Falken STZ04 tires, but I'm a little confused about the size I can run with my stock wheels.

I've done some calculations and research on the actual dimensions of the following tires:

Stock 235/75/15 ----> 28.87"/9.25"

255/70/15 ----------> 29.05"/10.03"

255/75/15 ----------> 30.05"/10.03"

30x9.50/15 ---------> 29.99"/9.48"

31x10.50/15 --------> 30.97"/10.51"

The two pictures I'm going to post below are examples of the wheels I had/have. The first picture is of the '97's wheel. The second picture is the '98's.

Could you guys please help me out? I'm not sure if the front suspension on the AWD vs. the 4x4 is the same... is it possible to fit a 31x10.50/15 on the '98 AWD with its current wheels without rubbing? If not, which of the above mentioned tires can fit on it without changing the wheels or altering the suspension in any way? Its important to me that there is no rubbing whatsoever. Oh yeah, the two types of wheels in question... do they differ in backspacing? Width? Anything? Or are they just different styles? I really appreciate any insight you guys can give on my situation.

 

[IZwack]

Hmm I've never heard of tires rubbing on the A-arm .. typically, on the 2nd generations, it will rub on the front anti-sway bar.

 

[X6StringerX]

I thought it would be a good idea to post pictures of the exact area where I had the rubbing issue.

I just thought of something that could have contributed to the rubbing issue on the 31x10.50/15's. On my other Explorer, I had trouble with tire wear on the front. The insides of the front tires wore out extremely fast. I kept it in line and the tires were rebalanced and rotated, but I still had that problem. I was told that my front springs were weak and they were allowing the bottom of the tire to "slouch out". If this were true, that would make the top of the tire push inward... so does that solve my problem? Can I actually fit a 255/75 or a 255/70 on my Explorer? Anyways, here are some new pics I just snapped of my current Explorer.

Again, I appreciate any help you guys can give.

 

[Xzibit A]

first off, if the tire was rubbing there somethign is seriouly wrong, second any competent shop could have aligned the truck, even if "the front springs were worn out, since you dont have springs you have torsion bars, they could have raised the torsion bars(search tt or torsion twist), to compensate, and then adjust caster and camber to have a perfect alignment.

you can fit a 31in tire but you might have to crank up the torsion bars to prevent it from rubbing

 

[IZwack]

I agree with Xzibit A (mostly because I've met him before and I think he's going to beat me up if I dont agree with him) about the tire rubbing.

I once bent a steering knuckle really really bad and it came close to grinding where you had the red circle. So I would say that it WAS either a steering knuckle or a really bent wheel (which should have wobbled really bad which you should have noticed - so it probably wasnt a wheel).

 

[X6StringerX]

I guess it was just a unique instance. I think I'll go ahead and opt for the 255/75/15's. That should give it a nice wide look and fill up the wheel wells a little more too.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[churd69]

too bad you didnt have 18s I have a basically new set of those tires I am trying to sell. They run nice on the road.

-Rich

 

[X6StringerX]

Whats your overall opinion on the Falkens? One concern of mine is the rubber used. I read that the outer most rubber is very soft and sticks to the road really good, but after 5000 or so miles, the out layer is wore off and the inner layer is much harder, thus reducing traction.

 

[churd69]

Whats your overall opinion on the Falkens? One concern of mine is the rubber used. I read that the outer most rubber is very soft and sticks to the road really good, but after 5000 or so miles, the out layer is wore off and the inner layer is much harder, thus reducing traction.

I have far less then 5,000 miles on the tires. They seem to ride smooth and had good traction. The reviews I read online were pretty good. I think you will be satisfied with the tires.

-Rich

 

[Sparky94]

the pic of the 15" wheel; what tire size is that?