What about 30x12.5???

[RocksX]

Everyone is talking about 31's and 32's, what about 30x12.5 on a 15x7 rim?? I've been reading through posts, and majority says its safe to put the tire on the rim, but will they fit under my stock '96 XLT?? I am new to the 4x4 world and this site, and currently deployed to Kosovo buying accessories to dress up the exterior of my Explorer sitting at home with 50,000 miles. Any suggestions would be a great help!! Thanx!!

 

[Robb]

I've been reading through posts, and majority says its safe to put the tire on the rim, but will they fit under my stock '96 XLT??

30x12.5 on a 7" wide rim isn't really optimal. That puts a lot of angle on the sidewalls at the rim(\ /). The taller the tire, the more it decreases this angle. If sticking with a 15x7 wheel, 10.5 is a much better width to go with.

 

[james t]

I would not advise a 30x12.50 on a 7" at all. 33x12.50 is pushing it, but a 30 would put WAY too much angle on the bead.

 

[Alec]

For 30x12.50, you'd need a 15x10 rim.

 

[RocksX]

Bigger Rim

Ok, i'll go with a bigger rim, but will the 15x10 still fit??

 

[james t]

You will have to lift it. Every X is different, but the wider you go the more lift you have to run to clear.

 

[dgibson]

15x7 you will blow the bead. 15x10 will be nice, but you will defintely need a lift

 

[Alec]

Might as well go with 31x12.50. You'll probably need 3-4" to clear those on 15x10s, and still may rub. 5-5.5" and you could fit 33x12.50s with trimming.

 

[SirGCal]

I don't know anyone who actually makes a 30x12.5... hmm...

But the lowest I'd go, rim/tire wise, for 12.5" width is a 31x12.5 on a 15x8. I run that on my TJ and it's just fine. I would not advise going any lower or with a narrower wheel though. But a 15x8 or 15x10 would be perfect for the 31 and 33 12.5 tires.

 

[RocksX]

30x12.5

Well, actually the 30x12.5 was the Mickey Thompson Baja Belted. Now that I've asked, I realized that they wouldn't fit under a stock '96. So instead I found same tires but in a 27x9.5. These should fit I hope on my 15x7 rims I ordered. I'm not a heavy offroader. About the extend of off road I get is driving across the corn field to get to the tree stand or run away cows so I don't really need a lift kit. But this site is very helpfull, if only I would of found it earlier. Thanks guys

 

[jimbo74]

just put a 31x10.5 on the stock rim......

 

[Alec]

27x9.5? Those are smaller than stock.

I agree with jim, get 31x10.50s, maybe with a 2" lift.

 

[RocksX]

Well, here's the deal, I am one of those newbies that didn't ask first, just assumed the 30's would fit and found a great deal, but they won't, so I called and changed my order to the next size down they had available in the Baja Belted, and the 27's is what they came up with. And basicly, I am only trying to dress my X up on a budget. This is the style of tires that I thought looked good, so I got em. I also purchased a chrome brush guard with KC 150watt lighs, the step side bars, headlight and tail light covers, and brush covers for the tail lights. Interior has 2 MTX 6000's, 840watt amp, dvd, tv, 12 disc cd changer, and the El Cameleon JVC cd player. I can't afford a lift like I would like, and the biggest thing is I don't know the first place to go for a lift to be installed and I wouldn't be able to do it myself. I have knowledge on motors, and that's about it. I'm still learning.

 

[Alec]

You could easily do the lift yourself in a few hours for about $50, then get an alignment: torsion twist and shackles.

As long as you're happy that's what's important. However, 27s are gonna look pretty tiny, and it's my opinion that a truck with 27s and offroad equipment is pretty lame. But whatever floats yer boat.

 

[RocksX]

Hey man, I agree with the small tires, but im trying to work with what's available. But I will definately be looking for bigger tires and be looking for some sort of lift kit. But as far as I know, there isn't one available for the '96. But once I get off my deployment here in Kosovo, I think I might check out the Torsion Bar lift idea. Does it make the X ride rougher, is it bad for it?? I just had brand new ball joints put in the front, that wasn't cheap, alignment was $200 alone. So I don't want to mess those up.

 

[Alec]

try using the search feature and also looking in the tire/wheel and lift FAQs, explorer resources, and most useful threads. You could read yourself blue with all the info there is here.

 

[jimbo74]

31s should be more readily available than a 27" tire which is about 2" smaller than stock! thats a huge difference!

 

[j602]

I put 31x10.5's on my stock 15x7 rims. They're great. Thinking about moving up to 32x11.5's after I get my 3" body lift though.

 

[bmxking5]

I would definetly not go with a 30x12.50 on a tiny little 15x7 rim. plus it would look too wide without your explorer being lifted.