Winter Tires- Does size matter?
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Winter Tires- Does size matter?
Hello all
My dilema. I have 15" winter tires from my old explorer, they are virtually brand new. I now have an expedition with 17" tires. Is it safe to put the 15" tires (not on the same rims of course) on the expedition for the winter??? A two inch decrease seems to drastic but I know little of these things. Thanks in advance, all help is appreciated.
Conrad
2000 Expedition, Eddie Bauer.
My dilema. I have 15" winter tires from my old explorer, they are virtually brand new. I now have an expedition with 17" tires. Is it safe to put the 15" tires (not on the same rims of course) on the expedition for the winter??? A two inch decrease seems to drastic but I know little of these things. Thanks in advance, all help is appreciated.
Conrad
2000 Expedition, Eddie Bauer.
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Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,903
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From: Copley, OH
Winter Tires- Does size matter?
I'm pretty sure that there's no 15" rims that will fit your newer truck. Ford changed the bolt pattern so your old rims are useless and IIRC the newer trucks require a minimum of a 16" rim to clear the caliper.
As to the size question, what matters is width (you want the snows to be a bit narrower than your normal tires) and overall diameter which you want to be the same or nearly so.
As to the size question, what matters is width (you want the snows to be a bit narrower than your normal tires) and overall diameter which you want to be the same or nearly so.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
Winter Tires- Does size matter?
I have 4 studded firestone winterfires that i run in the winter 235/75/15 on my truck and they make a huge difference vs an all terrain tire.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 818
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From: northeastern ohio
Winter Tires- Does size matter?
I used to have a ford thunderbird (rwd 4.6L) and that thing was horrid in the winter.. Way worse than my 2002 ranger. I would get stuck in a flat grass YARD.. Seriously I would have to go get a buddy to gimmie a shove to clear like a 2in depression.
I put dedicated studded snows on .. bought 4 cheapo steel rims (60 bucks for 4 at used tire place) And 4 cooper wintermaster+ tires
total cost was under 300 with alignment. It was like night and day
They were louder but i almost felt like i had an offroad vehicle compared to before.
If studded tires are illegal and you see alot of snow check out something like a bridgestone blizzack winter tire they are rated as a snow traction device (same as studded tires but are studless).
If you are running something that sucks in the snow like boggers or mudders... I highly recommend a winter tire for the winter.
Steel rims are cheap... and you will be much safer while protecting your good rims from snow/salt.
Rand
I put dedicated studded snows on .. bought 4 cheapo steel rims (60 bucks for 4 at used tire place) And 4 cooper wintermaster+ tires
total cost was under 300 with alignment. It was like night and day
They were louder but i almost felt like i had an offroad vehicle compared to before.
If studded tires are illegal and you see alot of snow check out something like a bridgestone blizzack winter tire they are rated as a snow traction device (same as studded tires but are studless).
If you are running something that sucks in the snow like boggers or mudders... I highly recommend a winter tire for the winter.
Steel rims are cheap... and you will be much safer while protecting your good rims from snow/salt.
Rand
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Winter Tires- Does size matter?
All terrains are a joke, they really are not great in one single condition, just okay in all conditions. Decidated snow tires will do a MUCH better job in snow vs an all terrain. I would have avoided an accident if i had snow tires on before it happened. I hit someone by a foot and I would have missed if i had the turnabilty. The firestones i have were 50 each, can't beat that for safety. I took them in a parking lot one day and was amazed.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
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