Recommendations for 18" wheels on 23 Limited with 20's

[DieselMonk]

While the Explorer rims look similar to the Expedition rims, the bolt pattern is different. 5 lugs for the Explorer vs 6 lugs for the Expedition. So no workie this way.

 

[GixxerJasen]

I feel kinda averse to taking the sawzall to my rer axles

I did too. But there's a LOT of extra threads and once in there you realize it's not really going to affect anything. Been plenty of successful amputations so far. Once done, you realize it wasn't as big of a deal as you made it out to be. In the end, I got the exact look I wanted with the size wheels I was after for a fair price, just cost a little bit of metal to make it work.

 

[mbrown1]

As it happens there was a weather window today so I drove about 3 hours each way and snagged the oem set. They came off a 24 Timberline. Goodyear 265/70R18. I believe the Timberline has a factory stock lift. So clearance and rubbing becomes a concern for me.

The stock 20's on my Limited are 255/70R20.

I'm Thinking Mich Defenders in LT275/65R18 E rated. For my towing application I think the E rated is probably safer than the XL... That gets me an additional inch of sidewall and is only a scootch over 1/2 an inch taller.

or The same tire in LT265/70R18 1.3" more sidewall, about .7" taller.

I'm digging the Tire Size comparitor. It is totally triggering my OCD though

One thought is to visit a shade tree mechanic nearby and have him swap on the new set and see of the non E rated Wranglers fit...

 

[KC7HP]

I don't understand aversion to trimming excess rear axle length. Anything beyond a couple threads past the nut is just going along for the ride. I suspect length and non-threaded end is for helping the assembly line.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

...
I'm Thinking Mich Defenders in LT275/65R18 E rated. For my towing application I think the E rated is probably safer than the XL... That gets me an additional inch of sidewall and is only a scootch over 1/2 an inch taller.
...

thats the stock size 18" on a Expedition, its probably the size of your spare, too! You can even get the awesome BF Goodrich All/Terrain KO3 tires in that size.

 

[mbrown1]

My old Transit community was high on the KO's. Particularly the RWD crowd. For towing though I want a less agressive tread.

 

[mbrown1]

Stockers from a 24 Timberline. 265/70R18 Nice! more sidewall for towing on rough roads.

Now to replace the Wranglers with a load range E. Tire guy has Nokian, Hankook, Cooper. I am normally a Michelin guy but this time I'm going to use one of his. If I get 40k, that'll work.

 

[mbrown1]

I downloaded a GPS speedometer app. Put about 40 highway and 5 town miles on. Weird. The digital speedo in the dash os just about dead on with the GPS. The 'analog' looking needle is always a but fast. So driving at digital readout of 65, the needle is just to the right of the mark.

I expected with the larger circumference tires that I would be make some adjustments with Forscan. It's all close enough not to bother.

 

[bb37]

So driving at digital readout of 65, the needle is just to the right of the mark.

I had this same problem with a 2023 Dodge Durango R/T. That dashboard had analog gauges with moving needles for tachometer, fuel level, and coolant temperature, but an all-electronic LCD for speedometer and other functions. In the display that showed an analog representation of a speedometer, the digital needle was always one tick off. Luckily, you could go into the menus and select a display that just showed speed in numerical digits, no analog representation. The digits were always right on the money.

 

[BP73]

New to the forum…

We have a 24 expedition XLT 4wd and my wife hates the 20” wheels and tires. Plan to do the downsizing to the 18’s as well.

I’m looking at the f150 tremor wheels or the Raptor wheels. Will I run I run into any issues with those wheels other than the axle clearance? Maybe someone on here can/will 3D print a new hub cap that will clear the axle??

Lastly, whats the biggest size tire we can we go with on these expeditions and avoid rubbing?

Thanks in advance