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I finally purchased my first EX yesterday. '03 Limited 4wd V10 with 168k
Started with a much needed oil change this am & swapping out rear turn signal bulbs. Drivers was blown, they come in a 2 pack so did both.
Anyway. To the point. Checked the spare pretty soon after arrival home. Tire is brand new, never touched the road. If I'm reading that correct, the date code is 20th week of '03? I let out some air & removed it from the rig. (Read all thise horror stories of it blowing up & breaking windows)
So am I reading that code correct?
They no longer make the Rugged Trail TA tires on this size.
Depending on how you use your Excursion Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT are great all terrain tires with good on road manners, wear, and a 60K warranty on most sizes.
I myself prefer the capability of the BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2 and 3. Michelins failed me as they weren't designed for where I wanted to go. BFG all terrain's have not let me down yet on or off road, in wet or dry weather, towing or unloaded. At one point I ran them on both my Excursions. Once BF Goodrich cleaned up their quality issues with the KO2, I came back from the Cooper's I recommended.
I finally purchased my first EX yesterday. '03 Limited 4wd V10 with 168k
Started with a much needed oil change this am & swapping out rear turn signal bulbs. Drivers was blown, they come in a 2 pack so did both.
Anyway. To the point. Checked the spare pretty soon after arrival home. Tire is brand new, never touched the road. If I'm reading that correct, the date code is 20th week of '03? I let out some air & removed it from the rig. (Read all thise horror stories of it blowing up & breaking windows)
So am I reading that code correct?
As stated above you are absolutely correct, I have an 03 limited V10 4x4 which I purchased new and that is your original spare. Those are the OEM tires which came with the vehicle. I never used mine either but changed it out 3 years ago because I was not going to use a 18 year old tire if I got a flat. I use Bridgestone Dueler Revo III which I have never had a problem with, good wet and snow traction and a smooth ride. It all comes down to how you plan to use your Ex, your budget and of course your Preference. I recently upgraded to 18” HD rims and just bought the same tires again including the spare. .
What's been aforementioned...that is a vintage 2003 tire. I've replaced the one in the wife's Excursion a couple times over the years, but still have the 16" in there though I've moved up to 18" wheels/tires on both trucks. I've been meaning to see if the Goodyear Wrangler with Kevlar 275/70/18 will fit in there...maybe @Vinny G-the EX man knows since he's done the same. I think it will physically fit from what I can tell, but wondering if the cover will go back over it...
What kills rubber is UV exposure. Assuming that spare tire has been in the back of the Excursion, covered up with the carpet looking spare tire cover thing its whole life, it "might" not be as bad as you think. I certainly wouldn't run it as a permanent tire, but for a spare,,,, I'd trust it more than the donut spare that's in my wifes brand new full size SUV.
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What's been aforementioned...that is a vintage 2003 tire. I've replaced the one in the wife's Excursion a couple times over the years, but still have the 16" in there though I've moved up to 18" wheels/tires on both trucks. I've been meaning to see if the Goodyear Wrangler with Kevlar 275/70/18 will fit in there...maybe @Vinny G-the EX man knows since he's done the same. I think it will physically fit from what I can tell, but wondering if the cover will go back over it...
Yes it will fit, I also upgraded the spare to a HD rim and new 275/70/18 The cover does fit, but you have to cut a slit on the bottom of the cover, I put it on before I reinstalled the spare It takes some pulling but it fits nice and tight and looks great
It looks to have been under the carpet since '03. The carpet really needs washing. I'll get the tire removed & replaced with a new tire. Just a shame to waste a basically new tire. I'll look it over a little closer tomorrow for any cracks but initially I didn't see any.
Not only ultraviolet exposure, but Ozone will degrade tire rubber too. Don't even think twice about the tire, it was basically a china bomb since it was made. I recently got rid of my original unused spare too.
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