Tire size question-1998 XLT-AWD-V8

[BigVicXLT]

Hi,

Does anyone know how big of a tire I can go on a stock 1998 XLT Explorer with stock 15" rims, without a lift? Mostly all street use. It has 235/75R-15's on it now, and I need to replace them soon!

TIA

Vic

 

[Blee1099]

Probably a 31x10.5x15 without any trimming.. But every truck is different, if you rub, you may need to put aftermarket lift shakles & crank up on the torsion bars.

 

[jimbo74]

to be absolutely safe, 30x9.5x15s

 

[BigVicXLT]

Thanks...I do not want to lift at all...sounds like 30x9.5x15s are the trick...any particular brand...I like Michelin.

TIA

Vic

 

[Mbrooks420]

I have the 30x9.5 and they fit pretty well. I can turn full lock while flexing and clear them. Once I did accidentally get the wheels off of the ground and they rubbed on the fender wells just a hair. Under any normal situation this wouldn't have happened.

 

[BigVicXLT]

So if I go with the 30 x 9.5 x 15's, will it affect my speedometer, and by how much?

50 mph would actually be ?? mph.

Thanks!

 

[wparrav]

I put 31x10.5/15 on my AWD. With a torsion twist and an add-a-leaf, no problem. The only rub was at full turn bouncing around while wheelin.

 

[BigVicXLT]

What about the speedometer?

 

[Mbrooks420]

It won't affect your speedo more than 2-3 mph if that

 

[PotHoleExpress]

I put 31-inch mud terrains on my 1998 stock XLT 4WD. Fit fine on the OEM rims. They rub a bit on full lock turns. Have not bothered to trim.

 

[powpow]

Bigger tires mean faster than the speedo reading, if I am correct. So you're going 60... but really 62 or 63.

 

[BigVicXLT]

Thanks all...I think I am going to go with the larger size (31 x 10.5 x 15), as many sources tell me I should be fine with no lift, standard 15" teardrop rim on a 1998 XLT AWD 5 Liter .

Please correct me if I'm wrong, as I am ordering next week!.

I do very little off-road, some snow, occassional beach.

I like the Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S G051 shown here

BTW, here's a link for speedo/rear ratio change info Tire Calculation Link

Any feedback is appreciated :smoke:

 

[Mbrooks420]

With the 31x10.5 you might rub while at full lock, and will most likely rub at full lock with any kind of flex. It shouldn't be bad enough to hurt anything.

 

[JPA1982]

i know the speedo difference after i went up in tire size from 235 to 31s but does anyone have the formula for a difference if any on your actual miles? thanks

 

[rino351]

Check out tirerack.com -- they have some formulas on their site

 

[97BlackX5.0]

i ran goodyear rt/s 31/10.5/15's for winter tires on a 97 Xlt 5.0 AWD with no problems on stock suspension and wheels the same size as stock with no rub at full lock.... did however catch the mudflap a little when i was turning and hit a bump... didnt hurt anything though.... just made a little noise....i put my stock tires back on for the summer and realize that the 31's look more natural on an explorer and really fill up the wheelwells.... i did have about a 1.5 -2 mph difference in the speedo... but nothing to worry about.... if you are going to be doing lots of in town driving or towing be sure to keep the overdrive off as it moves the rpm ranges down a bit though and makes overdrive pretty hard to use unless your on the highway....or just taking it really easy. then again if you tow alot like i do when your on the highway and towing with overdrive off like your supposed to it drops you a couple rpms and doesnt make the motor seem to work as hard without the overdrive....