I've got a 98 Explorer Sport, 2wd, 4.0. Needs new tires, current is 235/75/R15. Do I really need light truck rated tires for this? I was thinking of getting Uniroyal Tiger Paw AS-6000. It doesn't tow, isn't used off-road, nothing fancy. I was hoping a regular tire might do a bit better on the gas mileage. Any thots?

 

When I replaced the tires on my '98 Explorer, just before the Firestone debacle, the folks at Discount Tire convinced me that I needed P Metric (auto) tires rather than LT (light truck) tires. I had 44,000 miles on the Firestones and thoght that I had asked enough of them. The tires I was looking at were Michelin MXV M+S. The tread was the same and in fact, they looked the same. I was told that the P Metric would ride a lot better than the LT tires, and we don't carry the weight that would warrant a truck tire. I bought the P Metric--they have been great tires. Later when I had to replace those tires at 114,000 miles, I chose the same Michelins. This time the guy at Discount Tire said they were not allowed to put LT tires on the Explorer even if I had wanted them. I still have the P Metric tires on it and have been very satisfied. So...according to the Discount Tire folks, no you don't have to put truck tires on your Explorer.

 

No, you don't need LT tyres on your Explorer.
Just check that the tyres you do put on have enough load carrying capability and, probably more importantly, that your insurance company will cover you with those tyres on.

 

Try this site for your tire help
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...?action=submit

 

No way, the passenger tires are just fine for your truck.

 

P tires are OK for your truck,
Wooboy I think the discount tire guy was feeding you horse-hockey about the LT's. I just put a set of BFG All Terrain TA-KO's (LT235-75R-15's) on at Discount Tire. I dont do any towing, but love the BFG's.

 

Why didn't you go with a 31x10.5 on your truck?

 

I have run with LT's on both my 92 and 97, yes it is a stiffer ride but far more stable (IMHO). Wobbled wiggled and lurched with the P'.
I carry lots of rescue equipment and it makes a difference. Also installed airsprings to get rid of the suspension sag.

 

For what it is worth, I did go with a decent grade of passenger tire. Ride improved a little, and I think the gas mileage improved a bit as well.

 

I did not want any rubbing, I think with the 10.5 I would get some rubbing on sharp turns.

 

What did you get?
I was looking at Michelin Synchrone.
Coopers has some road tyres that looked the part too.

 

I had a set of Coopers a cple of yrs ago, suffered tread separation. Cooper did not come good on the warranty.

 

TAs look right but they're horrible tyres.
The Pirelli Scorpian should be ok.

I've wondered about the Cooper warranty. Another thing I've heard is that the warranty mileage is 4x 25,000 km, not 100,000kms at advertised.

 

A 31x10.5 will fit on the 2nd gen Explorers without any lift at all.

 

Flash, I have not had a single problem with my TA's! I am on my 9th set! I have run them on my 79 F-150, 82 Toyota 4x4 p/u, 86 F-150, 97 F-150, 2000 Explorer, and my 2003 F-250 super duty. Just gotta remember to rotate them every 4-5k miles or they will wear terribly. I have run several different types and brands of AT tires and the BFG's have been the best overall for me.
I guess tires are kinda like oil, some swear by some types others cant stand them.