trouble finding my answer...

[KaidoAE86]

ive been searching for almost an hour and cannot find the answer im looking for, i appologize if it is on here and i couldnt find it.

im getting a 91 explorer 2dr (2wd) and its all stock, i wanted to get some bigger rims on it but dont know what will fit on the stock setup? everything i could find was for 4wd big tires. im more focused on 2wd sporty tires, lower profile. need to know width i can go for without any extra parts or fab, both rim and tire. not looking for huge rims, not trying to dub it or anything just something a little bigger.

 

[RangerX]

Take a look in this same Tire and Wheel section that you posted this in, up at the top, there's a bunch of 'stickied' threads
I see one or two that would help you.

What I see listed for your year is 31x10.5 as the largest tire. From many past posts, I believe that is tough to fits, you would have to do some trimming. #0" should be no problem.
Rims size could go as big as you want, as long as the tire that's on the rim isn't any bigger in diameter than 30" (or 31").

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Anime]

Depends on what the stock tire size is. Check the VIN label on the driver's side door to see what tire size it came with stock.

If stock was P225/70R15, you want tires with about a 28 inch diameter, so something like 255/50R18 on an 18 inch rim would be about the largest you'd want to go and keep the same size outer diameter and also still have enough sidewall for daily driving. 255/55R17 tires on 17's have a 28 inch diameter and so work too.

If stock was P235/75R15, you want tires with about a 29 inch diameter, so something like 255/55R18 on an 18 inch rim would be what you'd want.


As for wheels, generally you want a certain width to handle the wider tire and lower profile sidewall, something like an 18x8 if you're running a 255 width. Offset varies by the manufacturer, I'd suggest looking through the wheel and tire threads of other Explorers in the Street / Sport Truck forum and seeing who runs what.

You can of course go bigger or just get wider tires on wider rims, but the sizes I listed are pretty common on Explorers and will be what you want for the best performance/price with the low-profile look. Wider tires than 255/265 will just cost more but won't get you any more useful grip for anything without having swapped in a V8 or some serious engine work. Lower profile tires like 35, 40 and 45 will look cool if you like ultra low profile rubber bands and big big wheels, but they will ride like a dump truck and you risk rim damage every time you hit a pothole.

 

[KaidoAE86]

Thanks guys, i was thinking 18 inch rims, i like the look of the American Racing Torque Thrust (mustang pony rim look alike). i had 255/40/18 Z on the front and 265/40/18 Z on the rear of my 04 mustang i sold to help moms medical bills. thats the tire layout im used to not real up on the inch bit yet, tryin to figure it out. so i should get 18x8s for the explorer and 255/50/18 tires? and that wont make me change anything other than the wheels?

 

[Anime]

If the stock size was 225/70R15, get 255/50R18 tires.

If the stock size was 235/75R15, get 255/55R18 tires.

With 18x8 wheels, and the right offset, they should fit without issues.

 

[KaidoAE86]

Thank you Anime!