2001 2WD tire replacement

[oddprime]

I have a 2001 XLT 2WD.
The stock tire size is 255/70 R16, and is what I have on there now

I found a set of tires on craigslist but they are 245/75 R16 for a descent price.

The difference is about .4 inches taller and about .4 inches NARROWER.

Does anyone know of a reason why these tires wouldn't work?

 

[FordandPolaris]

They would work fine, but honestly if you are changing tire size, go with wider over narrower any day. Especially if you live in PA like your location says. More rubber on the road means more grip in snow usually. They say that narrower tires are better since they do not have to plow such a wide path, but I know the tires I have now are 100's of times better in deep snow then my old 265/75 Dayton Timberline's.

And I am not sure how they would handle during cornering. I would be worried they were not strong enough to support the full size SUV weight. Are they a LT tire?

 

[Yudaman]

They would work fine, but honestly if you are changing tire size, go with wider over narrower any day. Especially if you live in PA like your location says. More rubber on the road means more grip in snow usually. They say that narrower tires are better since they do not have to plow such a wide path, but I know the tires I have now are 100's of times better in deep snow then my old 265/75 Dayton Timberline's.

And I am not sure how they would handle during cornering. I would be worried they were not strong enough to support the full size SUV weight. Are they a LT tire?

I strongly disagree!!!

Yes the tires will work just fine. I wouldn't have an issue putting them on my rig. Your speedo will be a little off though...
However, in snow and particularly ICE, wider tires are the worst thing you can do! Wider tires increase your contact patch on the ground which reduces the pounds per square inch (psi) your tires apply to the ground. Higher psi gives more snow pack and therefore traction.

I know that there are many people that will argue this with me. But I know all too well what the reality is. If you don't believe me, I invite you to come to the mountains of Oregon and try to keep up with me.

 

[FordandPolaris]

I strongly disagree!!!

Yes the tires will work just fine. I wouldn't have an issue putting them on my rig. Your speedo will be a little off though...
However, in snow and particularly ICE, wider tires are the worst thing you can do! Wider tires increase your contact patch on the ground which reduces the pounds per square inch (psi) your tires apply to the ground. Higher psi gives more snow pack and therefore traction.

I know that there are many people that will argue this with me. But I know all too well what the reality is. If you don't believe me, I invite you to come to the mountains of Oregon and try to keep up with me.

Haha if I could afford it I would gladly accept the challenge...

I have winter experience as well. And each will have his own opinion. I have driven on narrow tires as well as wide tires, and personally I would choose wide again. That being said, the right tread pattern makes a world of difference too. Mud tires would be scary in winter conditions.

We had a snow storm that dumped 2 feet of snow on us last year in about 6 hours (one of several over the course of the winter and spring), and I went grocery shopping. Never once felt like I was getting stuck.

Mine is also 4WD so that is a huge help, guess I can't speak much for how 2WD's fare tire wise.

Picture below is from the end of March I think.

 

[oddprime]

...

And I am not sure how they would handle during cornering. I would be worried they were not strong enough to support the full size SUV weight. Are they a LT tire?

Yes, they are LT tires, glad to hear they are going to fit, im calling the guy now.

it really does suck having 2WD and living in central PA. The Expedition is our family vehicle that my wife drives (I drive a Jeep) with a family of 6 the expedition is almost ideal. We bought it in 2002 down in Louisianan, where 4WD wouldn't of made much sense, and you do get LOOKS when your struggling to get up a hill, like come on buddy put it in 4wheel and lets go... but We've been up here for 7 years now so we are used to it.


-EDIT
I just got off the phone with the guy, i am going out tomorrow evening to pick up the tires, they are Load Range E tires so like 10ply tires. Gonna be a stiff ride.

 

[Yudaman]

And each will have his own opinion. I have driven on narrow tires as well as wide tires, and personally I would choose wide again. That being said, the right tread pattern makes a world of difference too. Mud tires would be scary in winter conditions.

We had a snow storm that dumped 2 feet of snow on us last year in about 6 hours (one of several over the course of the winter and spring), and I went grocery shopping. Never once felt like I was getting stuck.

Mine is also 4WD so that is a huge help, guess I can't speak much for how 2WD's fare tire wise.

Agreed. Everyone has their own opinion. But I also agree that mud tires are an abomination on ice! There are a few patterns that work decent, but most of them are horrible at best.

The only pic I have of my old '99 Expy

Just a light snowfall one night during the winter of 2008. Had well over three feet of snow at my house. Kids got to hunter easter eggs in two feet of snow. Ever try to find undyed easter eggs in a snow bank? Muahahaa
But that '99 AWD expy was amazing in snow and ice. Rock solid at 60mph.