08 Expy EB 4x4 Max 18" Tire Size No Rub No Lift No Cut

GoldEagle · #1 (**permalink**) 12-22-2008, 02:06 PM

OK, here's the deal. First post.

Have just acquired used 2008 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 (not EL) with stock 18x8.5 rims and 255/70 R18 Pirelli Scorpion ATR tires (not my favorite).

Based on my reading of reviews at tirerack.com, am leaning towards a tire upgrade to Firestone Destination M/T. Will be used off-road and on road, despite noise/wear issues vs. Destination A/T. I plan to keep the 18x8.5 rims, so that leaves me with a choice of just 2 sizes: 285/65 R18 and 325/65 R18.

The question is, which of these 2 M/T's will fit this Expedition without any lifting of vehicle and still insure no rubbing and without cutting the fenderwell?

Data from Discount Tire's calculator:

265/70 R17: Width 10.43 in, Overall Diameter 31.61 in. (Stock on Expedition XLT)
275/55 R20: Width 10.83 in, Overall Diameter 31.91 in. (Optional on Expedition Limited and King Ranch)
255/70 R18: Width 10.04 in, Overall Diameter 32.06 in. (Stock on my vehicle, Expedition Eddie Bauer)

285/65 R18: Width 11.22 in, Overall Diameter 32.59 in. Exceeds stock Width by 0.39 in, exceeds stock diameter by 0.53 in.
325/65 R18: Width 12.80 in, Overall Diameter 34.63 in. Exceeds stock Width by 1.97 in, exceeds stock diameter by 2.57 in.

I'm not quite so concerned about the Width, mostly about the 34.63 Diameter of the 325's that could be the issue without a lift. Thanks in advance for any help, advice, and real world experience.

nfntruth · #2 (**permalink**) 12-22-2008, 04:58 PM

Check out my gallery, but you can squeeze 33" tires on there, I have 16" rims, but my bigass comps fit and they have a huge offset and a 12" wide tread.

GoldEagle · #3 (**permalink**) 12-24-2008, 09:07 AM

Thanks for the info and the gallery!
Anybody else who has experienced this situation?

expy37at · #4 (**permalink**) 12-25-2008, 05:03 PM

Good thread Gold.

We are getting ready to head from the east coast back out west in a few more days and will probably buy a Limited [because of the one color body paint] when we pass thru a big city before we get to our more rural destination.

I found one w/ the options I need for towing, color, etc, out on I-10, except it has 20 inch rims that I'll need to chg for 18's.

The info you posted makes it look like there won't be a need to reprogram the truck since tire circumferences between the 20 and 18 sizes are so close.

GoldEagle · #5 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009, 11:37 PM

bumping this