SIZE does matter...

[shawnromel]

I want to go with a bigger tire. I currently have 235/75 R15 on my 92 Sport. What is a good size to upgrade to as to not compromise the performance of the truck too much? I read max chart that is posted but it shows inches not metric tire sizes.

 

[thewishkah]

i also have a first gen and the bigest u can fit is 31x10.5 inches(will read this way on tire size as pic below shows from my tires
first pic is side wall to show how little room there is by the fender(and tire measurements.

second pic is to show width

 

[j602]

I want to go with a bigger tire. I currently have 235/75 R15 on my 92 Sport. What is a good size to upgrade to as to not compromise the performance of the truck too much? I read max chart that is posted but it shows inches not actual tire sizes.

So what's a tire size if inches isn't?

 

[Mbrooks420]

He was probably looking for a metric tire size like the stocker 235's. If you want a slightly bigger tire a 30 in a step up from the 235/75, which is a 28.X. You probably want max 31x10.5 like thewishkah posted. Oherwise you will most likely need some coil spacers, and shackles in the back. Whats the axle code on your drivers door say?

 

[shawnromel]

i also have a first gen and the bigest u can fit is 31x10.5 inches(will read this way on tire size as pic below shows from my tires
first pic is side wall to show how little room there is by the fender(and tire measurements.

second pic is to show width

So with the tire that close to the fender, does it rub at all?

 

[thewishkah]

no I dont have any rubbing issues but if it were any bigger it would require cutting of the fender

 

[IAmTodd]

A metric equivalent to a 31 is a 265/75R15. I'm not sure if the fender wells have changed much, but I have fit the 265s on two second gens with only slight rubbing on my mud flaps.

 

[shawnromel]

Thanks for the info guys. Now, could I upgrade from a 15" to a 16" wheel on my 92? I saw a set of American Racing wheels that I liked but the smallest wheel size was 16x8. If so what size tire should I go with then?

 

[thewishkah]

some one will correct me if im wrong but i believe they make a 31" that will fit a 16" rim , like I said not knowing alot about it , If im wrong someone will let us know lol.

 

[tworedballs]

Here is how you do it. It's two simple mathematical equations your 4th grader could do (if he/she knew how to use a calculator).


So you have a P265/75R-15 Tire. What are the real measurements? Well let's figure out what that series of numbers mean first.

P - Passenger vehicle tire (LT is also common LT= Light Truck tire)
265 - Cross section of the tire, not tread width, in millimeters (mm)
75 - Percentage of cross section (75% or .75)
R - Radial tire (as opposed to a bias ply)
15 - Wheel diameter (eg. 15", 16", 16.5")

Now here are the equations-

Tire section (in mm) divided by 25.4 = Tire section in inches. There are 25.4mm in an inch, that's where the 25.4 comes from.

Tire section (in inches) x Percentage of cross section x 2 + rim diameter (eg. 15", 16", 16.5") = Tire diameter
265 / 25.4 = 10.433= Section width
265 / 25.4 x .75 x 2 + 15 = 30.649= Tire Diameter

So, the tire size is 30.649 x 10.433 or about a 31 x 10.50 flotation size

Advertised flotation sizes are really nominal. Tire manufacturers are not required to make a 33 x 12.50 tire actually measure a true 33" tall with a 12.5" section width. Some 33's could measure 32". Interco probably has the best reputation for keeping a true tire size to advertised tire size. Interco also has many calculatiors for gear ratios and tire sizes and so on. Check it out.

 

[shawnromel]

Useful info!! Thanks!

 

[shawnromel]

no I dont have any rubbing issues but if it were any bigger it would require cutting of the fender

do you have a full shot photo so that i can see how that size tire looks on your Explorer?

 

[thewishkah]

If you want to see them from diffrent angles let me know and ill take some pics from what ever angle you need.

 

[1stgenxsport]

Nice background. Great shots of how the tire size relates to the x.

 

[thewishkah]

thanks .

 

[shawnromel]

Thanks thewishkah! You convinced me.

 

[thewishkah]

no problem good luck with them hope you like them.