Tire/Size discussion

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CertusExpo

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I am needing to replace the tires on my '03 Expo and have read that LT285/70R17's fit without any rubbing.
Anyone put this size on their 2WD EB?

I'm also considering General Grabber AT2 for the rubber.
Anyone have these on their Expo and what is your opinion?
Wear well?
Handling?
Wet traction?

If you installed the 285's but from a different brand/model... Which ones, why and how are they doing?
 

69Hcode

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I just put 275/70R18's on my 04 4x4. Pretty much same height. One tire barely rubs inner fender at full lock. I'm running stock 18" F150 wheels.
 
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CertusExpo

CertusExpo

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I just put 275/70R18's on my 04 4x4. Pretty much same height. One tire barely rubs inner fender at full lock. I'm running stock 18" F150 wheels.

I'm confused now (Although, thank you for your reply) because I heard/read that 285's fit a stock 2WD but if 275's rub on a 4WD then what can be expected from the 285's
 

thenaaks

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The 285/70/17 is on a 17 inch rim. The 275/70/18 is on an 18 inch rim. The tire on the 18 inch rim, while having a slightly shorter sidewall, has about a half inch larger diameter (because it's on a bigger rim).
 

thenaaks

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Also, wheel offset/backspace plays a large role in whether or not a tire will rub. The f150 wheels may be slightly different than the stock expys.
 

69Hcode

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Already sold my old wheels or I would measure the backspace. Both were 7 1/2 inches wide.
 

montecarlo31

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I am needing to replace the tires on my '03 Expo and have read that LT285/70R17's fit without any rubbing.
Anyone put this size on their 2WD EB?

I'm also considering General Grabber AT2 for the rubber.
Anyone have these on their Expo and what is your opinion?
Wear well?
Handling?
Wet traction?

If you installed the 285's but from a different brand/model... Which ones, why and how are they doing?

285/70R17s are 32.7X11.5 on at 8.5" rim. 275/70R18 Grabbers are 33X10.9 on a 8" rim. If you mounted them on a 8.5" rim to compare apples to apples they would be about 33X11.1@ 8.5". Now there is the matter of rim offset but it looks like you are both using the ford rims so the offset should be the same. Also, I don't believe the 4x4 and 4x2 had a major variance in height as the F-150s and F-250s do. so that should help some as well.
 

Skauber

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I've heard that 285/70R17 should fit on 2005 EB 4x4, and that is what I'm about to get next month. Please let me know if this is not the case, so I don't have to find out the hard way! :)

Edit: This is on the stock EB 17" rims.
 

Lostneye

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I have an 05 Navi, no rubbing with 285/65R18s on factory wheels or 305/45R22s on aftermarket wheels.
 

tallsville

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i have the 285/70/17s AT been running them for a few years. I ran them before i had my lift. The "knobs" on the AT tires would rub the inner fender a little, once you turned the wheel a fair amount. You would notice it more when backing up and turning, such as pulling out of a parking spot or driveway. As far as 4x2 vs 4x4, if i remember correctly, there is a 1" difference in height. If you look at the pics i have on my profile or in the link, you can see how they look. I have posted pics before on the rubbing. I will try and find the pics again and re-post.

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f47/spacer-lift-fronts-2nd-gen-17356/
 
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CertusExpo

CertusExpo

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285/70R17s are 32.7X11.5 on at 8.5" rim. 275/70R18 Grabbers are 33X10.9 on a 8" rim. If you mounted them on a 8.5" rim to compare apples to apples they would be about 33X11.1@ 8.5". Now there is the matter of rim offset but it looks like you are both using the ford rims so the offset should be the same. Also, I don't believe the 4x4 and 4x2 had a major variance in height as the F-150s and F-250s do. so that should help some as well.

Awesome info! Thank you
 

tallsville

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in the picture you can see where the "knobs" of the AT tire catch the inner fender. This is at full lock
 

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