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Newbie Question. I just picked up an '02 Excursion and would like to up the tire size (it has the standard LT265/75R16 tires). My previous Excursion, with a 4" lift, was running LT315/70R17 tires on 17" rims. Would these fit on an un-lifted model without having interference issues? Any advice would be appreciated.
I suggest 285 as seen in my Signature,
but the stock 265 size will Tow better, and let the engine achieve the best RPMs,
I have a Hydra Tuner also, so the turbo can wind up.
here is a side pix for clearance.
these are el cheapo Americus AT tires, would NOT balance, and howled like a banshee, took them off, and installed Michelin street tires.
got rid of those steps, nearly broke my hip twice, installed AMP Research electric hide-away steps.
Last edited by John in OkieLand; Feb 19, 2026 at 07:14 AM.
Newbie Question. I just picked up an '02 Excursion and would like to up the tire size (it has the standard LT265/75R16 tires). My previous Excursion, with a 4" lift, was running LT315/70R17 tires on 17" rims. Would these fit on an un-lifted model without having interference issues? Any advice would be appreciated.
Matt
Assuming that the new wagon is a 4x4, no the 315s will not work on a stock height EX. 285s are going to be the most common size (finding a replacement for oddball sizes can be tough) for a stock tire size upgrade.
Thanks for the information. Looks like it'll be 265s or 285s.
Matt
you didn't say if the engine has any mods??
if bone stock, I would stay with the 265s
IF, you have a Hydra Tuner, on 85hp Daily Driver mode,
it is very responsive and towing 8000 lbs, you will forget it is back there, if the trailer tows straight.
this trailer was full of pig iron from a farm, never had a problem.
towed from Price, UT to Dawsonville, GA and went over Loveland Pass on I-70,
it did slow down to about 35 mph on the pass though, had to gear down to keep from overheating.
at the time, I was unaware that the water pump was on its' way out.
It locked up solid just north of Wichita, KS....
I just got it, but from what I can see it's a completely stock V10 and has 4WD. I'll drive what's on it through the summer (okay All-Terrain tires on the back & some kind of touring tires on the front) and try to pick up a nice set before next winter sets in. Sounds like 265s will be the way to go.
Do you know which gear ratio it has? 3.73 was the standard equipment with 4.30 being the “towing” option for the V-10.
Do your plans for it include any towing? If so what kind of weight and what kind of trailer, open low profile flatbed trailer is much different from a full height enclosed or travel trailer. With the 3.73s you should be good with the slightly larger 285s, which do fill out the wheel wells and look better unless planning to tow fairly heavy. With my old V-10 EX I ran 35”s with 4.88 gears for an effective 4.39 ratio and it did pretty darned good towing our old 12/13K lb TT for over 80K miles, the 6.8 can be a decent towing platform if it’s geared for it.
I think you will be extremely happy with the 285’s, as previously stated they fill up the wheel wells a little better and I felt that I had a better handling vehicle. I ran them for 9 years with out any problems and only changed a little over a year ago when I upgraded to the 04 18” HD wheels with 275’s which are 33.2 inches, .4 inches larger than the 285’s I believe that upgrade was the best thing that I have done to the Ex in the 23 years that I have owned her.
Last edited by Vinny G-the EX man; Feb 19, 2026 at 08:47 PM.
I'm running a 4" lift and LT315/70 R17 and had to run offset rims to clear in the back, and had to trim material from the rear of the front inner guards.
How did you run them without offset wheels and trimming your guards?
I'm running a 4" lift and LT315/70 R17 and had to run offset rims to clear in the back, and had to trim material from the rear of the front inner guards.
How did you run them without offset wheels and trimming your guards?
If you are asking me…..?
I ran those 35”s on a 4” lift using OEM ‘04 Lariat 18” wheels, which have the correct geometry to properly fit our leaf sprung trucks. I did use a cable tie to pull the plastic front wheelwell liners back at the bottom rear about 3/4” on each side to avoid tire contact there, otherwise they fit perfectly with just a bit of tire to spring rub at full steering lock.
Do you know which gear ratio it has? 3.73 was the standard equipment with 4.30 being the “towing” option for the V-10.
Do your plans for it include any towing? If so what kind of weight and what kind of trailer, open low profile flatbed trailer is much different from a full height enclosed or travel trailer. With the 3.73s you should be good with the slightly larger 285s, which do fill out the wheel wells and look better unless planning to tow fairly heavy. With my old V-10 EX I ran 35”s with 4.88 gears for an effective 4.39 ratio and it did pretty darned good towing our old 12/13K lb TT for over 80K miles, the 6.8 can be a decent towing platform if it’s geared for it.
@WE3ZS The ratio on the vehicle is 3.73 to one. My towing needs are relatively minor. We have a small four-by-eight utility trailer that we haul stuff around in, nothing massively heavy though. There is a sixteen foot flatbed down at the farm for hauling heavier items, such as old Ford tractors and attachments for it, but it sees little use.
I'm running a 4" lift and LT315/70 R17 and had to run offset rims to clear in the back, and had to trim material from the rear of the front inner guards.
How did you run them without offset wheels and trimming your guards?
@AAA_in_OR. When I bought that Excursion, an '04, it came with the lift kit and tires/wheels already on it. The tires were BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A tires at the LT315/70R17 size. The wheels were Raceline Rock Crushers in the 17 x 9 size.
I never saw any indications of modifications to any of the wheel wells and there was no signs of rubbing that I felt or noticed. I'd go out and look for you, but some douche decided to run a stop sign and total it. It was under-powered with the 5.4L, but I really liked that vehicle.
@AAA_in_OR. When I bought that Excursion, an '04, it came with the lift kit and tires/wheels already on it. The tires were BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A tires at the LT315/70R17 size. The wheels were Raceline Rock Crushers in the 17 x 9 size.
I never saw any indications of modifications to any of the wheel wells and there was no signs of rubbing that I felt or noticed. I'd go out and look for you, but some douche decided to run a stop sign and total it. It was under-powered with the 5.4L, but I really liked that vehicle.
Matt
Matt, forget what I just wrote, I'm a dumb ***. It was late and I was tired when posting. I forgot, that my Ex now has F350 front and rear axles. The coil suspension sits slightly further back and has a much tighter turning circle, hence having to trim the guards!
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