I've got a '98 Ford Expedition XLT 4x4. For some reason, I've noticed that it sits higher than other 4x4 expy's.... I've heard that from a bunch of people.... Anyways... Everything on it is stock right now, so it doesn't look all that appealing nor is all that efficient off-road. I want to get 33 or 35 BFG All-Terrain's on there - without any rubbing... and I don't want it to be too top heavy. I'm also a little short on money right now, so I don't really want to spend too much on everything.... So, any ideas on how I can make this work? Thanks in advance-

Bryan

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...ageID=24529975

 

Your's "looks" higher because you have the stock XLT 16" tire/wheel combo. I have a 98 Eddie Bauer with the stock 17" tire/wheel combo. My P265/70R17 tires work out to 32 1/2" diameter, so running 33's on yours shouldn't be a problem at all.

 

I think that's 31 1/2 inches isn't it? I could be wrong. Anyway, 33s on the stock suspension may result in minor rubbing. Some people have compained about it while others have said it works out fine.

This picture is horrible but I can't really find a better one. It's a memberfrom another site and I believe the specs are a 4 inch suspension lift, 3 inch body and 35s.



Also, unless you have your heart set on the BFGs ATs, you might want to check out other ATs since the BFGs are a little expensives. Check out the Mickey Thompson MTZ and ATZ, the Toyo Open Country AT, the Nitto Terra Grappler. Theres others but those are pretty popular and cheaper. Since money is an issue, a body lift will definitely clear the 33s. You would need a suspension lift, possibly in addition to the body lift, to clear the 35s. RCD makes a 4 inch kit that is supposed to be good. I think Fabtech makes a 6 inch. The Expedition wasn't an extremely popular vehicle to lift. Still isn't. I'm in the same boat. You can take a look at my gallery. It's not lifted but I am running 265/75r16 Mickey Thompson MTZs in place of the stock 255/70r16s. Made a noticable improvement in looks but they're also noticably heavier than the stock tires which I can feel in the pedal. That's something to keep in mind. It gets expensive to go bigger, especially if you can't do the work yourself.

 

Nice pic. Who's blue/white 79 Bronco?

 

Same owner as the Expedition actually.

 

Looks familiar. I think I've seen it at Bloomsburg.

 

I'd add a 3 inch body lift and some 33x12.50 or 35x12.50 tires on some 10 inch wide wheels.

 

My last 98 I had a 3" body lift,2" spring spacers in the rear and turned the torsion bars up front.Plenty of room for 35,s on a 16x10 wheel.I did have to trim the front valance slightly becasue it would rub at full turn.The only reason I did the torsion bars is I dont do any serious off roading.

 

You say that 265 70 17's are 32 1/2 inch diameter and that 33's would be ok. Can I run 33 12.5 16's on 16 x 10 rims? What back spacing is recommended? I have factory running boards and don't want any rubbing. I don't go off road but am after a beefier look.

 

Thanks guys for all your input! Its really helping with my decision. Right now its just stock with the 17 inch rims and 31 Falken Ziex street tires, but Im looking at putting the lift and tires and possibly new rims on within the next 2 months.... I also have heard several people say something about a crank thats in the front of the truck to raise it?

 

To clarify, 265/70r17 is closer to 31.5x10.5. A 265/75r17 is 32.5x10.5. When I was first researching how big of a tire I could go with, I found a lot of guys with Expeditions had slight rubbing issues with 33s. Some had no issues (that they knew of) while others did have the problem. So you may or may not run with 33s. I went with the 32s. I went from 255/70r16 to 265/75r16 and loved the look. In my opinion, without a lift, it's just right. You can see pictures in my gallery.

 

ScubaSam, you can fit a 305/70-16 (33x12.50) with a 16x10 inch wheel (4.5 inches backspacing) on a 4x4 Expy. You will have to trim some plastic off the front bumper's lower valance for clearance. I have pics of this trimming in my gallary.

 

What do the 285/75/16's relate to off-road sizing? Cause thats what I have

 

33x11.5

 

still too much gap. I really think I could have cleared a 35. . . no turning back now. . .