Tire Size Question: After much research Conformation needed.

[97SHOgt]

Don't worry, I have been doing a ton of research. I read the sticky's, I just wanted some further confirmation before I spend any money. Anyways, I'm doing the shackles and TT on my '99 Sport 4x4 this weekend and was thinking about going with some slightly larger tires soon. Also, I will be adding Bilstein's too to stiffen things up a bit. Through research and the many helpful posts on this site I have came up with two options I think I have. I'm going to keep my stock rims which are the 16's, and the tires I was looking at are...

Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo
or
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

in either...

265 70 16 which are 30.6"x10.5" correct?
or
265 75 16 which are 31.6"x10.5" correct?

I think I would definitely be free of rubbing if I went with the first option. However, I would like the added height of the second option but really don't want to have to deal with trimming anything down and I thought I read this may be an issue? So anybody that has or has had this set up, and wants to chime in I'd really appreciate. One other thing, load ratings. When I went with the larger size, there were two or three load ratings I could choose from. What do I need? I don't tow anything, most of my driving is on road. If somebody could clarify that for me too that would be great. Thanks in advance!

Shawn

 

[brianjwilson]

Sizes look right. The 265/75 would likely be fine. If there was any rubbing, it would be VERY minimal. Also the price of a 265/75 is normally less than a 265/70 from my research.
A lighter load rating is good. "C" rating is plenty for the explorer, and a higher load rating will result in a rougher ride.
Good luck

 

[97SHOgt]

Thats great information.

Oh and look what showed up this morning. Going on this weekend!

 

[brianjwilson]

Sweet! They're a very quick and easy install too!

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Thats great information.

Oh and look what showed up this morning. Going on this weekend!

this has got to be the most self-explanatory aftermarket part ever made. i mean, four holes, four bolts... come on!

anyways, good luck man, looking forward to future pictures of the X

 

[01slvrsprt]

Thats great information.

Oh and look what showed up this morning. Going on this weekend!

I got mine yest also. Im putting on the shackles and a lift kit this weekend too. How long did it take for you to get the shackles? I ordered mine almost 3 weeks ago.

 

[Donner]

Tire

Couple of pics... Revos are nice, but the BFGs handle and look better IMO.

 

[Ritsui]

From my experience in hard pack snow and rain, the Revos are quite a bit better. For virtually everything else (including overall tread wear), the BFG ATs are better.

Prior to TT, my 265/75 tires rubbed a bit on the fender and required trimming.

 

[beenwrong2002]

go with the bfgs...oh and you spelled confirmation wrong

 

[97SHOgt]

I got mine yest also. Im putting on the shackles and a lift kit this weekend too. How long did it take for you to get the shackles? I ordered mine almost 3 weeks ago.

I ordered them last Wednesday and got them yesterday morning. So it took less than a week. I got them from Tellico4x4.

 

[97SHOgt]

go with the bfgs...oh and you spelled confirmation wrong

Thanks for the tire input everybody. And I spelled it wrong in the title and right in the first post. I noticed that too and felt like a jackass...Oh well!

 

[Explorer#2]

i have the BFG's and a budddy with a F-150 has the revos and he wishes that he had gotten the BFG's. I love mine, they have never let me down except when I asked way too much of them and by that I mean stuff like really thick mud

 

[97SHOgt]

I think I will end up going with the BFG's beginning this summer. I think they look better too. My buddy has them on his Level II Ranger. The only thing he complains about is the noise. I'm not too worried about that. Sounds like I shouldn't have much of a rubbing issue then after TT and shackles. So I'll probably go with 265/75's. I'll try to get some pics up after this weekend.

 

[97SHOgt]

From my experience in hard pack snow and rain, the Revos are quite a bit better. For virtually everything else (including overall tread wear), the BFG ATs are better.

Prior to TT, my 265/75 tires rubbed a bit on the fender and required trimming.

What kind of trimming are we talking? I just finished installing the shackles and didn't get as much out of them as I had hoped I would. I would say it just leveled it out. So no need for the TT. I still want to go with the 265/75's though. So are you just talking about trimming the liner? Sorry I'm new to the SUV world. I've always been a car guy. Thanks.

Oh and by the way, the shackles were a piece of cake. Everything came apart very easily and went back together just as well. Thanks to everybody on here for the good write ups.

 

[Donner]

Just so you'll know, I'm sure you can make the right decision on this. However, if you're going to be facing the weather conditions that Ritsui outlined, you might want to consider his advice. What will be your main function for the vehicle? How often in 4wd? and should you consider MTs? Just curious. Thanks.

BFGs do handle well and look great tho

 

[Ritsui]

What kind of trimming are we talking?

Every truck is different, but on my sport I had to cut some plastic in the back of the front fenders to prevent rubbing at full turn. In most cases, with a TT you shouldn't need to cut anything.


Now I only rub when maxing out the front off road. This picture should give you a good idea where you'll need to cut (if you need to at all).

 

[97SHOgt]

Just so you'll know, I'm sure you can make the right decision on this. However, if you're going to be facing the weather conditions that Ritsui outlined, you might want to consider his advice. What will be your main function for the vehicle? How often in 4wd? and should you consider MTs? Just curious. Thanks.

BFGs do handle well and look great tho

Well that throws a little kink in it then. I do mostly highway driving. No offroading as of yet but who knows. I have a feeling the right tires to get for my situation would be the Revo's. I just really like the aggressive look of the BFG's. I guess we'll have to see. I have a few weeks to figure it out. I appreciate the advice though.

Oh yeah, and to update. After I drove it around the block after I put the shackles on, I did see it lifted the rear more than I originally thought (was 2:30am when I did it). So I went ahead and did the TT. Cranked each side three turns, drove it around the block to settle it, and got about an 1-1/4". I was happy with that. Alignment will happen before I start driving it. I definitely do not need to worry about the axles being stressed at that amount of lift do I? It makes a loud humming from the front, but it did that prior to the TT. So I'm assuming a wheel bearing. I guess I'll fix that first and see if the noise goes away.

 

[Donner]

How's this?

BFG ATs...

 

[Premier]

I got mine yest also. Im putting on the shackles and a lift kit this weekend too. How long did it take for you to get the shackles? I ordered mine almost 3 weeks ago.

i was like... "i didnt post in this thread" lol

nice avi

 

[vondy09]

do the lift shackles make a noticeable difference on a stock explorer?