Hi X owners!

My name is Stefan, I am from Berlin, Germany (yes, there is X-addiction also on the other side of the ocean!). I came across this forum a couple of weeks ago and signed-up today. I think it is absolutely fantastic and incredibly rich in information on everything related to the X - extremely helpful indeed but I think it will take me at least a year to read through everything I am interested in.

Anyway, here is my X-story: I bought my (first) X (a 2004 V10 4x4) some weeks ago. It is still with the dealership in the US because I want to have some modifications done before shipping it overseas. Among others, I am thinking of the following:

SUSPENSION LIFT. I decided to go for a 4" ProComp lift.

WHEELS (RIMS/TIRES). I decided to go for Moto Metal MO951 Chrome wheels, 20x10, 8/170, ET -18, BSM 4.79, with Nitto Trail Grappler tires 315/60/20 (35" tire diameter and 12.5" section width).

As I am not planning to go off-road but drive my X on paved roads only, I guess the above rims/tires will fit the 4" suspension lift without fouling the wheel wells, undercarriage, fenders, etc. I wouldn't mind some minor rubbing of the leafs at full turn.

Your advice would be very much welcome!

Cheers,

Stefan

 

Welcome ! Think you should have went with the pro comp 6 inch to fully clear......I have 315/75R16 with a 4 inch lift and they work.....but I had to modify the inner fender a bit (heatgun) and push the front air dam as far fwd as possible. You will not hit the leaf if you use a 4.5 inch backspace on the wheel. If you an live with that you should be fine.......get good insurance for the boat ride over to you......Had a friend ship 2 vehicles from Europe to the US....both had damage upon delivery.

 

Welcome Stefan and congrats.

I did not see the size you listed on Nittos website. I see the Trail Grapplers in a 35/12.50-20 which is 35". I tried a set of 35/12.50-18 on my Ex but ended up returning them. I tow 10000+ lbs and the tires tend to wander when aired up. They did better aired down to around 45lbs. I was using moto metal 950 18x9 rims and they cleared fine with no rubbing on my Ex which has roughly a 6" lift (V codes with 4.5" spring hanger). With 4" I think they would fit with minor trimming and pulling back the wheel liner. The tires look awesome and performed well in the sand for the few miles I had them. They were a little louder than I wanted for long trips.

 

If need be you add spacers behind your front bumper for a little added clearance. The PO did it to mine and you can't really tell by looking at it.

 

njneer1,

thanks! your tires are 315/75R16, which corresponds to a tire diameter of 34.6" compared to my 315/60R20, which is 34.9", so 0.3" larger than yours.

you said you had to modify the inner fender a bit (heatgun) and push the front air dam as far fwd as possible. my question is whether you had to do that because you are going off-road? if you stay on paved road would you need those modifications, too?

 

Red Ex,
Thank you! 315/60/20 sized Trail Grapplers are listed on the Nitto website:
Trail Grappler
scroll down and you will see: "35 x 12.50 R 20 LT E121Q", which corresponds to 315/60/20.

May I know why you returned your 35/12.50 R18? Because of too much noise?

 

The noise was part but the wandering was the main reason. With PSI around 45 they tracked ok but wanted to wander at higher PSI. Main use for the Ex is towing a 10500lb trailer with 1200+lbs of tongue weight on longer trips. I was not comfortable with the tires at 45 with that big a load. I also could not hear what the kids were saying in the third row (could be a good thing). I have heard the tires get better after a few thousand miles. I bought through discount and had 30 days to return and did not want to risk it. Discount's sales had assured me tracking would not be a problem prior to purchase so I did not feel bad about taking them up on the 30 day return. They were very good about changing to the Dura Grappler in a 305/70-18. The Duras track well, are quiet and appear to be wearing well. If I did not tow so much I probably would have kept the Trail Grapplers as they look awesome and would perform better in the deep snow. I have pics of the Trail Grapplers installed if you want.

 

No it was not from off road.....they touched pulling into parking lots ....backing out of the driveway etc....

 

How far out did it get spaced ??

 

1/2", maybe 3/8". I have two pieces of steel with two bolt holes each in there. Works well.

 

Thanks Mike ! Mine misses now but just barely......thinking about doing that.....I don't know how easy it is to see yours ....but if you get a chance can you shoot me a pic of what you are using I think I know....but I'd like to see it? Sounds better than washers.
Please don't go out of your way......not that big of a deal

 

What are these spacers you speak of, not wheel spacers right?

 

They were discussing using spacers behind the front bumper to frame mounts to push the bumper out just a little to avoid tire rub with the backspacing they are running on their rims. With my OEM rims ('04 SD 18") I don't have any bumper issues with my 35.28" tires and modded X codes.

 

Xv10 I have Nitto Terra Grappler G2's and they are 325/60/20 or 35.35" diameter and 13.03" wide. My lift is 3.5 rear and only about 2.5" front (thanks ats ) but soon to be 3.5" front. I had to shim my bumper 3/4" and trim the air dam ends, I still have to heat / bend the fender liner and my truck hasn't been off road and will probably on see offroad one or two times a year. The fender liner may be ok once I add the 1" shackle lift to get a true 3.5" front lift. My wheels are -12 offset 4.5" backspacing.

 

I really dont think you will need further mods to clear those tires...I trimmed my fender liners, and corners of air dam...but I only did minimal lift...not nearly a 4" lift...