Big Tires and the lift to fit them
#1
Big Tires and the lift to fit them
Greetings, everyone:
I've got a 2000 Excursion that's pretty much stock all over, V10, 16" wheels, almost 310K on the dial. Used to be the wife's runner, but now it's mine to go into the woods and do man stuff. Firewood, trail clearing (my younger disabled son and I volunteer with the Forest Service). Last winter I realized I needed a bit more range - got buried in the snow a couple times.
So there I was today looking through the classifieds, and two different people were selling 8-lug wheels with tires on them. one set was 325/65/R18, and the other 275/70R18.
I can see that I'm going to need to lift the rig some, and I'm good with that - kinda wanted to anyway. The question I have is, do either of these two tire sizes perform in a way I'm not going to like, as opposed to the other? I'm intending to stick with relatively minimal lift - I see writeups for V-code springs up front, B-code in back, and sway bars. This sounds easy enough, but I don't know if it will be enough lift. I live out of town a fair distance, so I don't want to get started with the job and then not have what I need on hand.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I've got a 2000 Excursion that's pretty much stock all over, V10, 16" wheels, almost 310K on the dial. Used to be the wife's runner, but now it's mine to go into the woods and do man stuff. Firewood, trail clearing (my younger disabled son and I volunteer with the Forest Service). Last winter I realized I needed a bit more range - got buried in the snow a couple times.
So there I was today looking through the classifieds, and two different people were selling 8-lug wheels with tires on them. one set was 325/65/R18, and the other 275/70R18.
I can see that I'm going to need to lift the rig some, and I'm good with that - kinda wanted to anyway. The question I have is, do either of these two tire sizes perform in a way I'm not going to like, as opposed to the other? I'm intending to stick with relatively minimal lift - I see writeups for V-code springs up front, B-code in back, and sway bars. This sounds easy enough, but I don't know if it will be enough lift. I live out of town a fair distance, so I don't want to get started with the job and then not have what I need on hand.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
#2
#3
There are a few thing to consider here first.
The wheels with tires that you found in the classifieds, are the wheels from a '99-04 Ford Super Duty or EX? If they are from a later model SD pickup then they will have different geometry that would require spacers to fit the EX correctly. Spacers will add to the cost of the swap and introduce a potential failure/problem point if not correctly installed and maintained.
What gears does your EX have? The V-10 came with the standard 3.73 gears with an optional 4.30 set. Going to any tire taller than the stock 31.6" will effectively reduce (make numerically lower) you gear ratio and reduce your performance to some degree. The 275/70R18 tires are 33.2" tall so the 3.73 ratio would be reduced to a less than awe inspiring 3.55. The 325/65r18s are 34.6" tall which would drop the stock 3.73 ratio to an even worse 3.41, pretty sluggy for the rev happy V-10. If you are lucky and have the factory optioned 4.30 gears then the larger tire impact will be more bearable.
The 33.2" tall 275/70R18s should fit under a stock height EX without the need for any suspension mods. The 34.6" tall 325/65R18s would need 3" or so of lift. I think an X/mod B spring swap would work well for them.
The wheels with tires that you found in the classifieds, are the wheels from a '99-04 Ford Super Duty or EX? If they are from a later model SD pickup then they will have different geometry that would require spacers to fit the EX correctly. Spacers will add to the cost of the swap and introduce a potential failure/problem point if not correctly installed and maintained.
What gears does your EX have? The V-10 came with the standard 3.73 gears with an optional 4.30 set. Going to any tire taller than the stock 31.6" will effectively reduce (make numerically lower) you gear ratio and reduce your performance to some degree. The 275/70R18 tires are 33.2" tall so the 3.73 ratio would be reduced to a less than awe inspiring 3.55. The 325/65r18s are 34.6" tall which would drop the stock 3.73 ratio to an even worse 3.41, pretty sluggy for the rev happy V-10. If you are lucky and have the factory optioned 4.30 gears then the larger tire impact will be more bearable.
The 33.2" tall 275/70R18s should fit under a stock height EX without the need for any suspension mods. The 34.6" tall 325/65R18s would need 3" or so of lift. I think an X/mod B spring swap would work well for them.
#4
Hey Tom,
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I was going to post a similar question. As I think you know, I have a set of 99-04 oem 18's coming. I was planning to run 275/70's on them, but now I'm second guessing myself. I'm running 285/75/16's now. The new wheels would be about the same size but more rim. I was staying away from bigger tires, cost jumps about $100/tire. Anyway, now I'm thinking bigger tires. I have modded B's rear and V's up front. The front sits a bit lower, so I may get X codes or put a leveling kit on the front.
I see you are running modded B/X codes and 35's. Any recommendations on a bigger size that would fit without issues? I will probably changes gearing in the future before I tow. I also need to factor what will fit in the spare area, if I recall, someone said a 35 will fit but the rear seat is in the way and has to be down? Common size is also a factor, I would want something I could get a hold of fairly easily If I need to replace a tire. I would likely get a cheap 18" rim and tire of the same size for a spare.
I need to decide tomorrow as I want to take advantage of a Paypal 24 month zero interest deal, it's ends tomorrow. It's a lot easier to take if I can spread the payments out!
Thanks!
Steve
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I was going to post a similar question. As I think you know, I have a set of 99-04 oem 18's coming. I was planning to run 275/70's on them, but now I'm second guessing myself. I'm running 285/75/16's now. The new wheels would be about the same size but more rim. I was staying away from bigger tires, cost jumps about $100/tire. Anyway, now I'm thinking bigger tires. I have modded B's rear and V's up front. The front sits a bit lower, so I may get X codes or put a leveling kit on the front.
I see you are running modded B/X codes and 35's. Any recommendations on a bigger size that would fit without issues? I will probably changes gearing in the future before I tow. I also need to factor what will fit in the spare area, if I recall, someone said a 35 will fit but the rear seat is in the way and has to be down? Common size is also a factor, I would want something I could get a hold of fairly easily If I need to replace a tire. I would likely get a cheap 18" rim and tire of the same size for a spare.
I need to decide tomorrow as I want to take advantage of a Paypal 24 month zero interest deal, it's ends tomorrow. It's a lot easier to take if I can spread the payments out!
Thanks!
Steve
There are a few thing to consider here first.
The wheels with tires that you found in the classifieds, are the wheels from a '99-04 Ford Super Duty or EX? If they are from a later model SD pickup then they will have different geometry that would require spacers to fit the EX correctly. Spacers will add to the cost of the swap and introduce a potential failure/problem point if not correctly installed and maintained.
What gears does your EX have? The V-10 came with the standard 3.73 gears with an optional 4.30 set. Going to any tire taller than the stock 31.6" will effectively reduce (make numerically lower) you gear ratio and reduce your performance to some degree. The 275/70R18 tires are 33.2" tall so the 3.73 ratio would be reduced to a less than awe inspiring 3.55. The 325/65r18s are 34.6" tall which would drop the stock 3.73 ratio to an even worse 3.41, pretty sluggy for the rev happy V-10. If you are lucky and have the factory optioned 4.30 gears then the larger tire impact will be more bearable.
The 33.2" tall 275/70R18s should fit under a stock height EX without the need for any suspension mods. The 34.6" tall 325/65R18s would need 3" or so of lift. I think an X/mod B spring swap would work well for them.
The wheels with tires that you found in the classifieds, are the wheels from a '99-04 Ford Super Duty or EX? If they are from a later model SD pickup then they will have different geometry that would require spacers to fit the EX correctly. Spacers will add to the cost of the swap and introduce a potential failure/problem point if not correctly installed and maintained.
What gears does your EX have? The V-10 came with the standard 3.73 gears with an optional 4.30 set. Going to any tire taller than the stock 31.6" will effectively reduce (make numerically lower) you gear ratio and reduce your performance to some degree. The 275/70R18 tires are 33.2" tall so the 3.73 ratio would be reduced to a less than awe inspiring 3.55. The 325/65r18s are 34.6" tall which would drop the stock 3.73 ratio to an even worse 3.41, pretty sluggy for the rev happy V-10. If you are lucky and have the factory optioned 4.30 gears then the larger tire impact will be more bearable.
The 33.2" tall 275/70R18s should fit under a stock height EX without the need for any suspension mods. The 34.6" tall 325/65R18s would need 3" or so of lift. I think an X/mod B spring swap would work well for them.
#5
Hey Tom,
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I was going to post a similar question. As I think you know, I have a set of 99-04 oem 18's coming. I was planning to run 275/70's on them, but now I'm second guessing myself. I'm running 285/75/16's now. The new wheels would be about the same size but more rim. I was staying away from bigger tires, cost jumps about $100/tire. Anyway, now I'm thinking bigger tires. I have modded B's rear and V's up front. The front sits a bit lower, so I may get X codes or put a leveling kit on the front.
I see you are running modded B/X codes and 35's. Any recommendations on a bigger size that would fit without issues? I will probably changes gearing in the future before I tow. I also need to factor what will fit in the spare area, if I recall, someone said a 35 will fit but the rear seat is in the way and has to be down? Common size is also a factor, I would want something I could get a hold of fairly easily If I need to replace a tire. I would likely get a cheap 18" rim and tire of the same size for a spare.
I need to decide tomorrow as I want to take advantage of a Paypal 24 month zero interest deal, it's ends tomorrow. It's a lot easier to take if I can spread the payments out!
Thanks!
Steve
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I was going to post a similar question. As I think you know, I have a set of 99-04 oem 18's coming. I was planning to run 275/70's on them, but now I'm second guessing myself. I'm running 285/75/16's now. The new wheels would be about the same size but more rim. I was staying away from bigger tires, cost jumps about $100/tire. Anyway, now I'm thinking bigger tires. I have modded B's rear and V's up front. The front sits a bit lower, so I may get X codes or put a leveling kit on the front.
I see you are running modded B/X codes and 35's. Any recommendations on a bigger size that would fit without issues? I will probably changes gearing in the future before I tow. I also need to factor what will fit in the spare area, if I recall, someone said a 35 will fit but the rear seat is in the way and has to be down? Common size is also a factor, I would want something I could get a hold of fairly easily If I need to replace a tire. I would likely get a cheap 18" rim and tire of the same size for a spare.
I need to decide tomorrow as I want to take advantage of a Paypal 24 month zero interest deal, it's ends tomorrow. It's a lot easier to take if I can spread the payments out!
Thanks!
Steve
The OEM 18"s that you are getting are actually '04s, that's the ONLY year that had plus sized (over 16") wheels optioned on the Super Duties.
A 35X12.5 is fairly common and pretty close to what my 305/70R18s are, they also fit nicely on the 18X8" wheels and look good too.
My EX has modded X codes up front for a 3 7/8" lift over stock and my Nittos fit fine with only a tiny bit of spring rub at full steering lock. V codes and a set of 2" drop shackles should give about the same room cheaply.
A 35" can be squeezed into the spare spot but yes, it can be pretty tight with the 3rd row seat. One option is to deflate the spare and knee in a spot where the seat rests against it, then keep a small portable air comp onboard to refill it if needed. Pirate uses that method to stuff a 37" into the spare storage spot.
Cheap spare 18" wheels are all going to be from the later model trucks with different backspacing and as a result would need a spacer to fit correctly on an EX. Your better bet would be to find a matching or semi-matching '04 18" to serve as the spare wheel, maybe one not as pretty as the mains. I got mine from another member who had some extras that was singling them out as spares for those with the 18" sets.
#6
Tom: Good info. I'll inquire about the offset. If I were a tape measure, what would be a good spot to measure to know which is which?
I don't know about gear ratio, nor how to know. But it sounds like maybe I want to consider updating the diff anyway. at 310Kmiles, lots of things could use an update...
I don't know about gear ratio, nor how to know. But it sounds like maybe I want to consider updating the diff anyway. at 310Kmiles, lots of things could use an update...
#7
Tom: Good info. I'll inquire about the offset. If I were a tape measure, what would be a good spot to measure to know which is which?
I don't know about gear ratio, nor how to know. But it sounds like maybe I want to consider updating the diff anyway. at 310Kmiles, lots of things could use an update...
I don't know about gear ratio, nor how to know. But it sounds like maybe I want to consider updating the diff anyway. at 310Kmiles, lots of things could use an update...
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#8
The OEM 18"s that you are getting are actually '04s, that's the ONLY year that had plus sized (over 16") wheels optioned on the Super Duties.
A 35X12.5 is fairly common and pretty close to what my 305/70R18s are, they also fit nicely on the 18X8" wheels and look good too.
My EX has modded X codes up front for a 3 7/8" lift over stock and my Nittos fit fine with only a tiny bit of spring rub at full steering lock. V codes and a set of 2" drop shackles should give about the same room cheaply.
A 35" can be squeezed into the spare spot but yes, it can be pretty tight with the 3rd row seat. One option is to deflate the spare and knee in a spot where the seat rests against it, then keep a small portable air comp onboard to refill it if needed. Pirate uses that method to stuff a 37" into the spare storage spot.
Cheap spare 18" wheels are all going to be from the later model trucks with different backspacing and as a result would need a spacer to fit correctly on an EX. Your better bet would be to find a matching or semi-matching '04 18" to serve as the spare wheel, maybe one not as pretty as the mains. I got mine from another member who had some extras that was singling them out as spares for those with the 18" sets.
A 35X12.5 is fairly common and pretty close to what my 305/70R18s are, they also fit nicely on the 18X8" wheels and look good too.
My EX has modded X codes up front for a 3 7/8" lift over stock and my Nittos fit fine with only a tiny bit of spring rub at full steering lock. V codes and a set of 2" drop shackles should give about the same room cheaply.
A 35" can be squeezed into the spare spot but yes, it can be pretty tight with the 3rd row seat. One option is to deflate the spare and knee in a spot where the seat rests against it, then keep a small portable air comp onboard to refill it if needed. Pirate uses that method to stuff a 37" into the spare storage spot.
Cheap spare 18" wheels are all going to be from the later model trucks with different backspacing and as a result would need a spacer to fit correctly on an EX. Your better bet would be to find a matching or semi-matching '04 18" to serve as the spare wheel, maybe one not as pretty as the mains. I got mine from another member who had some extras that was singling them out as spares for those with the 18" sets.
BTW, are those your current tires in your profile pic? They look smaller?
#9
No, the pic in my signature is from back when I first did my spring swap and was still running the 32" rubber that came on the 18"s. Here is a more recent shot that shows the 305/70R18 Nitto Duras.
Nitto shows these to be 35.28" tall and they just clear the front bumper. Dura Grappler Highway Terrain Light Truck Tire
And the rear of the wheelwell liners.
Many folks have done just the lift shackles on the rear of the front springs for the little additional lift and report no issues, but I think going with a matched set of front spring hangers and shackles would be a better setup, PMF makes some very nice stuff. I think that with a heavy PSD and V codes that you would need a little more room to run these tires. Like I mentioned above my modded X codes lifted my front 3 7/8" over stock.
And you are correct on regear being expensive, I made out better buying a set of axles that was already swapped over to the 4.88s that I wanted for almost half of what a shop wanted for a regear. Shops were quoting $2000-2400 and I drove out to Wisconsin to get my axles for $1200. With a set of 35"s and the PSD you would most likely want 4.10 gears, which fortunately was a semi-popular ratio in some SD trucks.
Nitto shows these to be 35.28" tall and they just clear the front bumper. Dura Grappler Highway Terrain Light Truck Tire
And the rear of the wheelwell liners.
Many folks have done just the lift shackles on the rear of the front springs for the little additional lift and report no issues, but I think going with a matched set of front spring hangers and shackles would be a better setup, PMF makes some very nice stuff. I think that with a heavy PSD and V codes that you would need a little more room to run these tires. Like I mentioned above my modded X codes lifted my front 3 7/8" over stock.
And you are correct on regear being expensive, I made out better buying a set of axles that was already swapped over to the 4.88s that I wanted for almost half of what a shop wanted for a regear. Shops were quoting $2000-2400 and I drove out to Wisconsin to get my axles for $1200. With a set of 35"s and the PSD you would most likely want 4.10 gears, which fortunately was a semi-popular ratio in some SD trucks.
#10
Greetings, everyone:
I'm intending to stick with relatively minimal lift - I see writeups for V-code springs up front, B-code in back, and sway bars. This sounds easy enough, but I don't know if it will be enough lift. I live out of town a fair distance, so I don't want to get started with the job and then not have what I need on hand.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'm intending to stick with relatively minimal lift - I see writeups for V-code springs up front, B-code in back, and sway bars. This sounds easy enough, but I don't know if it will be enough lift. I live out of town a fair distance, so I don't want to get started with the job and then not have what I need on hand.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Rather than use tires and wheels from someone on Craigslist, take some time and check out a few threads and pics on here. See how they look, fill the wheel well, height, etc. I imagine someone not doing enough homework and ending up selling stuff online when it didn't work out. Check out some online sites that review revolutions per mile across many tire sizes; that'll help you figure out how much your final gearing will be affected by the change.
Steve, looks like you've done your homework! I'd suggest thinking a little longer term; you'll likely have your Excursion wheel/tire set up for years - you'll want to make good decisions (even if that means missing an opportunity). I'm sure another Paypal deal will pop up in a few months.
#11
That looks good Tom! I figured about that much to change gearing. There's a lot of other stuff to spend money on. The distance from ground to top of fender well is 39 1/4 front and 41 1/2 rear. Do you know your measurements right off hand?
I have thought about dropping the rear some to level it out, then the 275's would look a little better that way. I'm not crazy about how high the rear sits. When I did the springs, my calculation indicated unmodded B codes would put it about level. Everyone said it would sit nose high. Should have went with my gut. I also have airbags that keep the rear up a bit, even at minimum pressure. A lot to ponder! How do the bigger tires fair on the 8" wide rims? I think a 10" rim is recommended.
Regarding the front, where am I going to run into trouble with 35's at current height?
thanks again!
I have thought about dropping the rear some to level it out, then the 275's would look a little better that way. I'm not crazy about how high the rear sits. When I did the springs, my calculation indicated unmodded B codes would put it about level. Everyone said it would sit nose high. Should have went with my gut. I also have airbags that keep the rear up a bit, even at minimum pressure. A lot to ponder! How do the bigger tires fair on the 8" wide rims? I think a 10" rim is recommended.
Regarding the front, where am I going to run into trouble with 35's at current height?
thanks again!
#12
Steve, looks like you've done your homework! I'd suggest thinking a little longer term; you'll likely have your Excursion wheel/tire set up for years - you'll want to make good decisions (even if that means missing an opportunity). I'm sure another Paypal deal will pop up in a few months.
#13
biggest issue was already addressed by Tom. Good luck finding 18's from a 99-04 model. Likely those 18's you are seeing are 05+ and will require spacers.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14677330
Tom's rig sits higher than most X's with modded leafs. he put extra leafs in front and rear vice the traditional route most X guys go.
My old 2002 I ran 35's with <3" of total lift. zero problems stuffing them. just some rubbing issues lock to lock
as far as spare tire, a 315/75R16 fits just fine in the spare tire slot. that's a 35x11.5R16 tire. I had zero problems with keeping the rear seat and a 35" spare
I see you are running modded B/X codes and 35's. Any recommendations on a bigger size that would fit without issues? I will probably changes gearing in the future before I tow. I also need to factor what will fit in the spare area, if I recall, someone said a 35 will fit but the rear seat is in the way and has to be down?
Tom's rig sits higher than most X's with modded leafs. he put extra leafs in front and rear vice the traditional route most X guys go.
My old 2002 I ran 35's with <3" of total lift. zero problems stuffing them. just some rubbing issues lock to lock
as far as spare tire, a 315/75R16 fits just fine in the spare tire slot. that's a 35x11.5R16 tire. I had zero problems with keeping the rear seat and a 35" spare
#14
biggest issue was already addressed by Tom. Good luck finding 18's from a 99-04 model. Likely those 18's you are seeing are 05+ and will require spacers.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14677330
Tom's rig sits higher than most X's with modded leafs. he put extra leafs in front and rear vice the traditional route most X guys go.
My old 2002 I ran 35's with <3" of total lift. zero problems stuffing them. just some rubbing issues lock to lock
as far as spare tire, a 315/75R16 fits just fine in the spare tire slot. that's a 35x11.5R16 tire. I had zero problems with keeping the rear seat and a 35" spare
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14677330
Tom's rig sits higher than most X's with modded leafs. he put extra leafs in front and rear vice the traditional route most X guys go.
My old 2002 I ran 35's with <3" of total lift. zero problems stuffing them. just some rubbing issues lock to lock
as far as spare tire, a 315/75R16 fits just fine in the spare tire slot. that's a 35x11.5R16 tire. I had zero problems with keeping the rear seat and a 35" spare
#15