2003 xlt replacement tires
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
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From: Texas, USA
Skip the Continentals. The Cross Terrains are good. The Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos are the best and cost less money. see them at:www.tirerack.com listed under light truck, all terrain.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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I've had both Cross-Terrains and Revo's on my 1999. Revo's are a better value. Quality control on the Continentals is reputedly poor.
The Michelin LTX M/S is a very decent tire and cheaper than the Cross-Terrains. The Revo offers better snow performance than either, if that's a consideration.
The Cross-Terrains provide the softest ride, the LTX M/S a bit stiffer, and the Revo the stiffest, but not uncomfortable (to me at least, and I drive on pretty bad roads).
The Michelin LTX M/S is a very decent tire and cheaper than the Cross-Terrains. The Revo offers better snow performance than either, if that's a consideration.
The Cross-Terrains provide the softest ride, the LTX M/S a bit stiffer, and the Revo the stiffest, but not uncomfortable (to me at least, and I drive on pretty bad roads).
Last edited by PaulC; Feb 5, 2004 at 12:36 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 327
Likes: 1
From: Midwest
I agree on the Revos suggestion, and I'd avoid the Cross Terrains. While they may ride soft for some, they are constructed with a very HARD rubber compound (designed to provide long life). The downside is that they aren't so great traction wise. Other tires that provide long life and a softer tread compound are able to do so by using construction that minimizes heat buildup (which is a leading contributor to tire breakdown and wear)...Cross Terrains do it by having really hard tread. That, and the tire was designed with noise in mind. That's not such a bad thing...quiet tires are good and all...but the primary tread design consideration was noise, followed by longevity...and followed a distant third by traction. Michelin is marketing them as a 'premium SUV tire', hence the higher price (despite a similar cost of production as the XCX APT, LTX M/S, LTX A/T and XCLT4).
I haven't tried the Revos, but I read about them here and at ford-trucks.com...so they will be my next purchase when my iron-like Wrangler RTS' give up the ghost.
I haven't tried the Revos, but I read about them here and at ford-trucks.com...so they will be my next purchase when my iron-like Wrangler RTS' give up the ghost.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 48
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From: Metro Detoit, MI
I've got the Cross Terrain SUV's on my Expy and have no complaints since I bought them about 15000 miles ago. I went from GoodYear Wranglers to these, so I guess anything would have been an improvement!!!
I live in MI and have no probs with traction or snowy days. The other tires may very well be better, but these work fine too. The noise issue was somthing I was concerned with since I do mostly city driving (daily driver), and you can't hear these tires at all, even on the highway.
BTW... They do come in two speed ratings (S & H). Get the higher speed rating as it will have stiffer sidewalls, better load handling, better temp. characteristics, etc. This goes for any tire you buy.
I got a great deal. I waited unitl costco had a $50 off sale coupon on Michelins and then bounced that price off of discount tire and they beat it by $10 bucks. ($580 total on the car).
I'm sure there are better tires, but consider what you'll be doing with the vehicle, then purchase appropriately. The highest rated most aggressive tires may be miserable for someone who never leaves the pavement. (not speaking about the tyires mentioned above.. those are all good street tires from what I know).
I live in MI and have no probs with traction or snowy days. The other tires may very well be better, but these work fine too. The noise issue was somthing I was concerned with since I do mostly city driving (daily driver), and you can't hear these tires at all, even on the highway.
BTW... They do come in two speed ratings (S & H). Get the higher speed rating as it will have stiffer sidewalls, better load handling, better temp. characteristics, etc. This goes for any tire you buy.
I got a great deal. I waited unitl costco had a $50 off sale coupon on Michelins and then bounced that price off of discount tire and they beat it by $10 bucks. ($580 total on the car).
I'm sure there are better tires, but consider what you'll be doing with the vehicle, then purchase appropriately. The highest rated most aggressive tires may be miserable for someone who never leaves the pavement. (not speaking about the tyires mentioned above.. those are all good street tires from what I know).
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
I just replaced the Michelin Cross-Terrains on my expy. I got about 42k miles out of them. They were good tires, but they were 275/60R17 (bought by previous owner) and I didn't think they filled the tire well very good.
I put a set of Firestone Destination LEs on the truck (2nd highest rated tire on tirerack.com for all season light truck/SUV tires). Total cost was $470 (they are on sale right now....at least here in east TN).
philip
I put a set of Firestone Destination LEs on the truck (2nd highest rated tire on tirerack.com for all season light truck/SUV tires). Total cost was $470 (they are on sale right now....at least here in east TN).
philip
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
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From: All over Texas
Re: 2003 xlt replacement tires
Originally posted by tony394ever
time to replace my 2003 xlt 4x4 tires. was thinking about using michelin cross terrain suv's? any suggestions? should i replace with the oem continentals?
time to replace my 2003 xlt 4x4 tires. was thinking about using michelin cross terrain suv's? any suggestions? should i replace with the oem continentals?
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 38
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From: Dry Mills Maine
I have been running Pro Comps a/t tires. Ive put 63,000 miles on them and will get another 12 - 15,000 out of them. I have the 33/12.50R17, 305/70R17. This size tire fills out the wheel wells perfect.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3
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My 2003 Expedition is used primarily by the wife as the "family" car. Highway and local street driving, commuting to work, taxing kids arpund, etc. Safety, traction/handling in normal and wet conditions and during winters here in the north east snow, performance, noise, wear are my concerns/priorities.
I have the Michelin Cross Terrains on my 2002 Explorer and have been happy with them. I'm approacing 45k miles on the explorer and am now getting redy to replace them too as well. I'm really leaning towards the Cross terrains again for the Explorer and figure I'll do the same on 6the Expedition unless anyone knows of a reason not to. Also what are anyones recommendations/suggestions for going with larger tires then te original OEM's on either vehicle (the 2002 Explorer with the Michelin CT's and the original 2003 EXP with the Conti's? Is bigger better and if so what is the recommended size based on the driving conditions and requirements i've identified above. Thanks
I have the Michelin Cross Terrains on my 2002 Explorer and have been happy with them. I'm approacing 45k miles on the explorer and am now getting redy to replace them too as well. I'm really leaning towards the Cross terrains again for the Explorer and figure I'll do the same on 6the Expedition unless anyone knows of a reason not to. Also what are anyones recommendations/suggestions for going with larger tires then te original OEM's on either vehicle (the 2002 Explorer with the Michelin CT's and the original 2003 EXP with the Conti's? Is bigger better and if so what is the recommended size based on the driving conditions and requirements i've identified above. Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
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From: All over Texas
I think a little bigger is definitely better. I'm not into "monster mudder" tires, but think Expys should have come from the factory with larger tires, at least the 4x4's should have. The only drawback to larger tires is the effective gear ratio changes (if not exactly, fairly proportionately with the % change is tire height).
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3
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2003 Expy TIres
I also have the Continental OEMs. I would like to go bigger and better. I don't do much off road. Mostly street driving with many wet days. I am looking at he Goodyear Forteras? I want to go bigger than stock but not really interested in lift kits at this time. Any reccomendations?
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern MA
Hey Tony,
I just put on the Bridgestone REVOs on my F-150. Got about a thousand miles or so on 'em. Great tire. My F-150 would slide on highway off/on ramps (if I was pushing it a bit) and after a stoplight, you'd think I hammered the pedal to the floor. Not anymore! If the performance is that good an a vehicle that has little or no weight in the rear end, I'm guessing they'll be just as good or better on my wife's EXPY. After I squeeze a few more miles out of the stock tires, I'm installing REVOs.
BTW, NTW Tire and Battery matched the lowest price I found on the web. I thing it was Tirerack.com. I think for the 255 75 R16 they were $113.00 each. Then I got the "buy three-get one free" deal. Cheapest price I could get.
NTW had to order them-it took about 3 days to come in.
The manager at the store was so impressed by them, he ordered extras along with mine, and now I think they'll soon be stocking them.
I just put on the Bridgestone REVOs on my F-150. Got about a thousand miles or so on 'em. Great tire. My F-150 would slide on highway off/on ramps (if I was pushing it a bit) and after a stoplight, you'd think I hammered the pedal to the floor. Not anymore! If the performance is that good an a vehicle that has little or no weight in the rear end, I'm guessing they'll be just as good or better on my wife's EXPY. After I squeeze a few more miles out of the stock tires, I'm installing REVOs.
BTW, NTW Tire and Battery matched the lowest price I found on the web. I thing it was Tirerack.com. I think for the 255 75 R16 they were $113.00 each. Then I got the "buy three-get one free" deal. Cheapest price I could get.
NTW had to order them-it took about 3 days to come in.
The manager at the store was so impressed by them, he ordered extras along with mine, and now I think they'll soon be stocking them.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern MA
The road noise is equal to or less than the GoodYears that came with the trucks. My findings are as so. The GYs would get louder the faster you'd go. The REVOs have the same low noise level at 20mph and at 80mph. But the handling alone is fas superior.