Im getting really sick of my stock 17" wilderness AT's (especially with winter here), since it looks like no decent sized 17's are available Im probably going to go 16". I like the BF Goodrich A/T TA's, I think the 285/75/16 will fit with an 8" rim (no scraping hopefully). Anyone running this on an Expy 4x4 ??? They are about 1" wider in diameter than stock so I will loose a little bottom end and the speedo will probably be about 5mph slower Im guessing. I was also thinking about the same tire in a 32x11.5x15 but didnt think the 15" rim would look very good, anyone running this setup. These are just about the exact same diameter as stock but just much wider...

Thanks,Adrian

 

Adrian-
I'm also looking at new tires for my 2000 Expy. I coming from the other direction. I have the stock 16" ATs, and am looking at going bigger and am hoping someone can post an answer to our questions. Me? I'm looking at the BFGs and Michelins.

What size 16" tires can we put on our 4x4 vehicles without clearance issues. Also, what gear change will we have to make.



------------------
2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L 4WD, C&C group, towing package, beige leather interior, captain's chairs, 6 CD Changer, 255/70R16, all-weather floor mats, factory fog lamps, Mobil1 5W-30 Synthetic w/ Puralator filter

MODS
Ford Bug Deflector (2/15/00), Superchip (3/11/00), Airaid (3/23/00), Edelbrock IAS shocks (3/23/00), Jardine cat-back exhaust (4/6/00, removed 8/22/00), Under Seat Locking Storage Drawer (6/6/00), MPC Rear Air Foil (7/2/00)

 

I spoke to a local (4 Wheel Parts, Oakland, CA) dealer who says they have doen several Expy 4x4 with the following sizes and no lift or rubbing, so they say.

285x75x16 8in Rim
295x75x16 8in Rim
305x75x16 8in Rim

I know the 285 & 295 is available in the BF Goodrich AT, but not the 305. Ive seen a F150 4x4 that had the 285 and it looked pretty darn good. The 285 is 1.1" larger in diameter than the stock 265x70x17 and about an inch or so wider depending on you rims you choose. The 295 is just under 2" large in diameter and just slightly over and inch wider. No idea on the 305's, they are basically like 33x11.5 I think. The 285 have 632 revs per mile (45mph) and the stock 17" have 654 so I would guess a slight lower end loss of power and probably about a 4-5 mph slower on the speedo (guessing) which probably could be corrected with a gear in the tranny (I think). The 295 have 621 revs per mile so no too much worse. Ill probably go with the 295...

Anyone running these sizes????

 

If you get new rims, be sure they fit. The 15" ones may be too small.

Lots of us are running BFG ATs in the 285/75R16 size. They work great on either 16x7 (factory) or 16x8 rims. No rubbing at full-articulation or when making full-lock turns. The 305 will rub a little.

The amount of power you "lose" depends greatly on your engine & gearing. On our 4.6L w/3.55 gears, the loss was very noticeable. Likewise, a friend with a 5.4L & 3.73 gears noticed little "loss".

As for the speedo, the '99+ models can be calibrated by the dealer to correct it. For pre-99 models, a new speedo "gear" can be purchased.

The BFG AT is a terrific tire. Ours have 45,000 miles on them and they still look pretty good despite the abuse they get. They may cost a little more, but they are worth it IMO.

See pics of tires on 16x7 & 16x8 rims on "The X" page on my website.

Neal

------------------
1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x4 F250 SD XLT SuperCab SWB- 6.8L, Offroad Pkg, Camper Pkg, 4.30LS, Tape & CD player, Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, tinted windows, 265/75R16 OWL tires.

NoMo's site

 

Nomo-
I was hoping you would respond to this thread. I have read your prior posts concerning upgrading tires on the Expy. BTW, your website looks great and you have some very nice vehicles.

How to the BFG do in the snow?
Does the AT model generate any road noise (whrrrrrrr'-ing) at highway speeds?
Are they readily available?
I am looking to keep the stock 16"x7 rims, and am partial to Michelins. But, I have taken several recommendations from this site and have been great pleased as a result.

Thanx for joing the thread.

------------------
2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L 4WD, C&C group, towing package, beige leather interior, captain's chairs, 6 CD Changer, 255/70R16, all-weather floor mats, factory fog lamps, Mobil1 5W-30 Synthetic w/ Puralator filter

MODS
Ford Bug Deflector (2/15/00), Superchip (3/11/00), Airaid (3/23/00), Edelbrock IAS shocks (3/23/00), Jardine cat-back exhaust (4/6/00, removed 8/22/00), Under Seat Locking Storage Drawer (6/6/00), MPC Rear Air Foil (7/2/00)