I just got a new to me Expedition, 20,000 mi, and was looking to upgrade the stock scorpions 18's with a beefier tire. About 60% of my driving is on shale dirt roads ( read lots of sharp rocks ) I've had 2 flats in a week and a half, So my question has two parts:
1. Recommendations anyone has on a tire that has more than 6 ply that fits (heavy duty 18" tires seem hard to find)
2. or Can I change to a different size than the OE specs? 20in wheels or a different sidewall ratio or a wider tire? What kind of reprogramming is needed with a different size?
Thanks, other than the tires, don't get me wrong if I was only on pavement they'd be great, lovin' the rig.

 

Check Nexen tires. Maybe they have someting that will suite your needs. And you should be able to get them for a great price.
products : Nexen Tires

I have Nexen on my 04 Explorer ($600 all in) and 08 Expedition ($660 for 20's all in)
I love them, quite, smooth

 

Problem is that Nexen is Chinese and I would not buy China tires.

 

My F150 had Nexen Roadian HP's (XL load rating) 275/55/20 on it when I bought it from the dealer last summer. Not bad in the rain, fine on the highway and of course great on dry pavement. As soon as the white stuff fell, I had a 5800lb ice skate on my hands. They were horrible.
I am a Michelin believer. Sure they are pricey, but the LTX M/S2s that I bought (275/60/20) come with a 70,000 mile treadwear warranty from Michelin. They have fantastic handling characteristics, and gain traction in just about anything. Obviously they are not a mud tire, so we won't even go there.
As for sidewall strength. They are load rated just higher than the Roadian HPs I took off. The sidewall appears to flex less than the HPs, but I do believe they are a 6 ply tire.
I know that Nitto, Toyo, BFG, and Cooper make an 8ply 18" tire that would fit your needs. Check out Tirerack.com for comparisons, as they have some pretty good resources for a wide range of tires.

 

Don't get cheap tires. No Continental or BF Goodrich. I have has both and hated both. I have had Bridgestones on another car and hate those too.

 

+1 on ltx ms/2's.mine are are 265x70x18. My tires did not need to be replaced but i figured the mileage would take me close to the end of the useful life of the expy for me (that may have changed since i absolutely love this thing). I am biased because i have run michelins for a while. However, i think they are better for heavier vehicles. I was not as impressed with them on my grand cherokee. My expy sees very little off pavement action, but has been up/down a lot of boat ramps and has seen many different types of weather on vacations (have not tackled snow yet, i am pretty warm-blooded) but they do great in our heavy rains also. I think i have nearly 30k on mine now and am very impressed with them. I had the regular ltxs on my old supercrew and for some reason it kept eating them - not the case so far with these. Hope this helps, Mike.

 

Thanks for the info,

Has any one run the new BFG Rugged terrain T/A?

 

Another +1 on the Michelin LTX MS2's. Love the ride.

 

The brand new Rugged? Prolly not since it hit the market about 3 weeks ago. Seems like it could be an ok tire though.

 

Do you get a lot of road feedback through the steering wheel with these?

 

Exactly what feedback Berry?

My truck (similar yet different to your Expy) exhibits very little negative feedback. Smooth, no "flat spotting" even in cold weather. Just the normal feedback one would expect from uneven or worn surfaces.

 

Not sure what you mean either... The ride is quite nice and driving/steering is smooth.

 

I mean road imperfections felt through your steering wheel. Some tires tend to send feedback-small vibrations, bumps, etc. are felt in the steering wheel. The better tires tend not to do this as much.

 

I can honestly say that the Nexen Rodians (275/55/20) that were on the truck when I bought it appeared to relay more information to the truck. Whether that be through the wheel, pedals, etc. I've since gone up to the 275/60/20 with the Michelins, which is only .8" taller. I doubt that .4" of extra sidewall makes that much of a difference, but I know that I feel less roadway feedback with the LTX M/S2s. I feel those items you should feel, like the lane separator reflectors, but I do not normally feel surface imperfections (like asphault vs. concrete) like I did with the Nexens.

The Michelins roll forever too, which I really appreciate.
In stepping up an aspect ratio, I expected to lose a little MPG especially in town, but that has not been the case. The 275/60/20 Michelin weighed the same (42lbs per tire) as the 275/55/20 Nexens.

 

Thanks for the feedback. My BF Goodrich Long Trails transmit a lot of feedback, more than the stock Continentals did, which I was suprised at. I think Michelins are in my future.