Tire Questions

[PotatoExplorer]

Hey guys,

Just passed the X through state inspection and emissions, just needed some rear brakes/rotors. Tires passed but are getting close to failing... should probably replace before winter. So my question is what tires do you guys recommend? Since I have a Limited, Tire Rack recommends for OEM a 255 55/r18. I'd like nicer wheels but I don't know if that's in my budget right now so I think I got to stick with my 18s. I'd like a bit of a beefier tire... so probably a bigger tire wall to help fill the wheel wells a bit more and I'd like to get something with a bit more aggressive tread.

Anyone have any recommendations on tire sizes for my stock 18 wheels? Or maybe just throw some ideas out so I can research a bit more. I'd like to maybe jump on some of these memorial deals going on right now or maybe some deals in the future. Thanks in advance!

 

[Christobal65]

I thought the stock 18s wore 235/65/18s for tires, did that change for 08 and later? I know the factory 20" wheels wear 255s.

 

[PotatoExplorer]

I thought the stock 18s wore 235/65/18s for tires, did that change for 08 and later? I know the factory 20" wheels wear 255s.

Omg, yeah, you are right! I just realized during my last Tire Rack search I was looking up different tire size prices instead of OEM sizes. Sorry, my bad!

 

[Christobal65]

I did a ton of research, including looking at 18's, before I replaced the 17's on my Explorer. There aren't a lot of options for going with bigger tires on 18's without going up at least an inch in overall diameter. Dropping to 17's gives you quite a few options and down to 16's, like I did, opens up even more.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

I've been running 265/60/18 for the last 6 or 7 years. No problems with tire rubbing the plastic flares/trim. Even the installer commented that this size is what should have come from the factory. Very similar look as 255/70/16 on the 2nd gen 4x4.(and Rangers)

 

[Beachcomber86]

For the life of me, I will never understand why anyone runs low profile tires on a SUV! To each their own I guess!

 

[gdgiordano]

For the life of me, I will never understand why anyone runs low profile tires on a SUV! To each their own I guess!

I have always been like that too. I don’t get it. Granted today’s suvs are suvs. 2010 explorers were the death of the traditional American midsize suv

 

[gdgiordano]

I've been running 265/60/18 for the last 6 or 7 years. No problems with tire rubbing the plastic flares/trim. Even the installer commented that this size is what should have come from the factory. Very similar look as 255/70/16 on the 2nd gen 4x4.(and Rangers)

I ran 275/(60?)/17 or 18s on my 2nd gen. I only remember the first number. I thought they looked great!

 

[07EddyB]

I have always been like that too. I don’t get it. Granted today’s suvs are minivans that sit higher. 2010 explorers were the death of the traditional American midsize suv

Fixed that for you.

 

[gdgiordano]

Fixed that for you.

Thank you lol

 

[07EddyB]

Thank you lol

I knew what you meant. It's sad what they have done to SUVs. It's probably the biggest reason I'm trying to keep mine on the road.

 

[gdgiordano]

I knew what you meant. It's sad what they have done to SUVs. It's probably the biggest reason I'm trying to keep mine on the road.

I know. I forgot the "not Suvs" lol. That's why I am super excited for the new Bronco as long as they offer a normal big v6/v8 in it not that eco boost and turbo diesel crap. I would LOVE to see a 4v version of the 4L SOHC tbh. That thing would actually produce some really good power while being lighter than the v8. The 1997 Exps with the v6 were actually quicker 0-60 than the v8 that year. Even my old one with the towing ratios was quicker.

 

[PotatoExplorer]

Hmm so looking at tire prices I'm kind of thinking why not just go all in and get some wheels while I'm at it... I found some nice 19"s but now I have no idea what will work with my stock suspension. I'm aiming towards some 255/60r19 michillan defenders since they seem like they will help fill up the wheel wells a bit more but I dont want to run into any rubbing

 

[Mbrooks420]

I know. I forgot the "not Suvs" lol. That's why I am super excited for the new Bronco as long as they offer a normal big v6/v8 in it not that eco boost and turbo diesel crap. I would LOVE to see a 4v version of the 4L SOHC tbh. That thing would actually produce some really good power while being lighter than the v8. The 1997 Exps with the v6 were actually quicker 0-60 than the v8 that year. Even my old one with the towing ratios was quicker.

There’s nothing wrong with a turbo deisel. Much more suited to be an efficient motor in a heavy vehicle than any other option. The 4L SOHC is a piece of garbage. The most common place they were faster than the V8 was to the scrapyard.

As for the 19s, I’d use a tire size comparison to see how much the difffer in overall width and OD

 

[PotatoExplorer]

Mbrooks420, holy cow, thanks man! I didn't even think about a tire size comparison, haha, duh!! I should have the title of this thread changed to: Tires and Wheels - A Beginners Guide.

Searching around it seems like a 31" diameter wheel is the max I want to go on the stock suspension, according to this older post -
Max Tire Size 08 Explorer 18"

The setup that I looked at with the 19"s and Michillans would be spot on. But now this tire size comparison has me looking at like 15" black steelies (pro comps?)... not sure what direction I want to go!!!

 

[Bill MacLeod]

Defender's are a good choice, is what I'm getting for new tread.

255/60/19 are 1" taller and approx. 0.6 to 0.7" wider than stock 236/65/18 size.
Increased width should not be a problem, but 1" in o/d may cause rub on the lower trim as well as speedo issues. Dealer can recalibrate PCM.
What 19" wheels are you looking at? Width/offset/backspacing is critical with regards to these looking/fitting properly or just looking like ASS!

 

[gdgiordano]

Do you drive in snow often? If yes stay away from defenders. If no they are great. I had 2 sets. One on my 2nd gen and one on my 4th gen and they were very slick on snow and slush. The tread is just too aggressive. Not cut out for Colorado.

 

[PotatoExplorer]

Gdgiordano - Aghhh, are they really bad in snow?? I liked the tread pattern since they looked like the next step right before going to all terrain which I think are also bad in the snow? I'm in south central PA so it's no Michigan, Erie, Buffalo type snow but we do get some decent snow storms.

Bill MacLeod - theres a guy selling some Niche Milans M134 for $500. Not bad looking in my opinion. Same positive offset as stock (+35) and I think an inch wider (8.5"). I'm not sure about backspacing, is that the same as offset? Should I be concerned about hub size?

 

[Bill MacLeod]

Hmm, first negative review I've seen on the Defenders. Don't think this type of tread is made for heavy snow or on winter roads that are not well maintained. (that's where dedicated winter tires should be run) If the road conditions look sketchy, I just push the 4x4 button and let them eat.
Michelin specs the Defender as a lower cost replacement to the ms2 with a better tread life. The tread on the 2 look identical. I have 54K on my ms2's and they have been an excellent tire. Handle very well in all conditions. Still lots of tread, but I will be replacing very soon because of noticeable cracking between the threads and a very distinct crack/separation around the sidewall, about 1" from the shoulder blocks. May keep them on the oem chrome clad rims for winter only use only. They are almost 7 years old, so think I got my "money" out of them.
Winter conditions where I am may be slightly more harsh than where the OP is located, but I would still be very confident with the Defenders for year round use in most urban locations.

 

[Christobal65]

The setup that I looked at with the 19"s and Michillans would be spot on. But now this tire size comparison has me looking at like 15" black steelies (pro comps?)... not sure what direction I want to go!!!

FYI I'm pretty sure 15s won't fit over 4th gen brakes. My 16s are pretty close to the front calipers.