Hey Guys...new to the Excursion World..picked up a '01 Limited V-10 the other day and have a few questions about tires. I have done some research on this forum over the last couple of days and have taken in some really good information, but was noticing some conflicts as it relates to tire size...so...here we go. I am wanting to keep the stock wheels (16x7)..but want the BIGGEST..WIDEST..tire that I can fit on the beast. There is allot of room around those little 265/75's that needs to be filled! I am going to keep the existing set-up (no lift) but want to fill it up...I have heard that 285/75's were the max...295/75's....and 305/70's...also, what is the "leveling kit"...not really sure but sounds like it is for the front and will allow 35's....shoot me all of your ideas and any help is appreciated...oh yea...load rating "d" or "e"...I wont be towing anything big at all...thanks

 

I just asked the same question!! Hope we can get some good advice!!!

 

tbuford, When I had my 01' X with the 7.3 I tried 305's but they scrubbed with the stock suspension. I later installed 295's and had no more problems with scrubbing. About the leveling kit maybe someone will chime in that it familiar with it. My 01' set ok but the first owner of the 05' replaced all four springs under the X when he got it home new. I'm going to leave the 05' bone stock.

 

Thanks for the info......keep the replys coming guys...the more the better....I appreciate all input...selling my bro-in-law these little stock tires and will need to buy this wknd....all input appreciated!

 

Anyone out there with some more input on the questions asked? Thanks in advance!

 

Did you get 295's with the stock rims? Or 295/75/16's? And they dont rub?

 

I put 285's on mine bone stock and am thrilled with them. They fill the wells nicely and there is no contact anywhere.

 

are these 295's that were mounted load d or e rating and what is the difference...I assume with the weight of the vehicle the e is needed but is there anything wrong with the d and will it suffice...there again...not towing anything other than my big butt around! Also, I fould some 305 70's that were at a good price "Nitto Terra Grapplers" but what is everyones thought about that wide of a tire on a stock 7" wheel? Also...tell me about the leveling kit...not sure what it is...Thanks

 

The difference between the two are the weight ratings of course and some will say the ride will be rougher with the E's although thats objectionable.

You could probably get away with the D's, but I'd like to remind you that when Ford recalled the tires on the Excursions a few years back, one of the reasons was because the original tires that the Excursions came equipped with, which were a D load rating could not hack the weight of the Excursions and would blow as a result of the subpar load rating.

 

Thats good to know...the tires I am looking at are e ratings in the 285/75 and the 305/70...I am a little suspicious about the 305 on the 7" wheel though...I definately want to pack it as full as I can...

 

just be sure you recognize there is both a good side and a bad side to really big really fat wide tires. There are times, when I have to get thru really soft sand, those big near "floatation style" tires would have been a big help. But other times, for example, on snow, the wider the tire, the more traction issues you could have. On SOME muddy road or in some snow conditions the narrower tire is going to cut thru the slime and get a "bite", leaving the guy with the fat tires spinning and going nowhere.

I would think that with those really big fat tires, you could run lower air pressure and get a smoother ride, with, possibly, some loss in side-loading stability.

Another area of concern would be a REALLY rainy day and standing water. How many of you understand the physics of "aqua-planning". Even a heavy vehicle like our EX's can loose traction at speed over standing water, if the tires are wide enough.

I rarely need to go rock-climbing to get where I need to go - for the relatively modest conditions I have been in, the stock set-up works fine. The biggest, fattest, widest tire running the lowest possible air pressure would seem to me, to be the best deal for that.

Bottom line - YOU have to decide what the majority of road conditions YOU face are likely to be. "different stroke for different folk"...

 

I put the 295/75's on the stock rim that came on the Limited.

 

Good stuff guys...know all about the hydroplaining...busted up a mustang that way....typically just rain...we dont get much Snow in Tennessee....so, am I to suume that you think the 305's will fit the stock 7" wheel? Do you feel that there is a big advantage for the e rating over the d...could the recall have been for tire quality not just the rating...and does anyone have feedback on the Nitto Terra Grappler...thanks

 

You can take my opinion for whatever its worth, but personally I would not be comfortable with D's on the Excursion, better safe than sorry.

As far as the recall, it could have been the quality, however one of the fixes to prevent the tires from blowing was to put more air in them to support the Excursions hefty weight, so apperantly the tires could barely support the Excursion even with the tires filled to the max psi.

 

So...it sounds like the e rating is the way to go...this moves me to the 285 or the 305 / 75/70....the 7" wheels....305's too wide?