Hi! (New here.)

My wife just put a deposit down on an '00 Eddie Bower Exp. I looked it over this evening. Looks great but will need new tires pretty much right away.
I'm big into 'wheeling and feel like a dope having to ask these questions, but I'm new to 4x4 blue ovals and very new to the "You can't lift/modify it" concept! :-) (So says she whose name appears on the title.)

First off, all E.B.s come with 17" rims? I forgot to look.

I definately want much meatier treads than most of the Expys I see around, but I don't want any rubbing. The wheel wells should look full, but not stuffed, I guess.

I guess I'm probably going to go with a set of 265/70R17s, (either BFG/ATs or maybe Parnelli Jones Dirt Grips). That translates to about a 31.6"x10.5"R17.

I think I read that a 285/70R17 fits fine, too. That would be a 32.7"x11.22"R17 by my calculations. Very nominal height difference, but a nice additional inch of width.

Anyone using these? If they rub the fenders I'll never hear the end of it.

These and a Lock-Right or No-Slip are about as "wild" as I'm gonna be allowed to get with "Her" rig, so I want to get it right! :-)

Many thanks!

 

The tires are not LT-they are passenger tires.

 

Um, good point.

Do you, by any chance, happen to know if they fit the vehicle?

On second thought, I've found enough confirmations around the forum to feel pretty confident on the 285s.

Thanks!

 

Actually, the 285/70R17s are listed as LTs everywhere I've checked.

The 265/70R17s are "C" rated, the 285s are "D" rated if that clears things up at all.

Whatever.

 

why don't you look at dicounttire.com or tirerack.com and play with the interactive screens on their site that should help you out some

 

No, not all EB's come stock with 17" rims.

I've got 33" LT's (285/75/16) on my unlifted XLT with no issues. Some have said 33's won't work on trucks with the LLS.

Good Luck.

 

Yeah. I did that some and got some good info, just went back through them. They don't go up to 285s. But they also don't stock that size. Wierd.

Wish someone had stock vehicle photos and an interactive app that would let you add various tire sizes and styles to your ride on the screen. Probably will in about 3 years.

Thanks.

 

Hmmm. O.k. Thanks for the info. I'll have to check the sidewalls next time I see it. I don't yet know the "LLS" term. Is that air suspension?

Thanks!

 

Si.

Try tirerack.com. They have everything you'll need. I haven't been there in a while, but they did have an interactive tire/wheel application to help customers visualize different combos.

 

~~~~~~~~~Sorry-didn't realize your so sensitive. My quote was meant to say that Eddie Bauers come with passenger tires and not truck tires. You should keep those unless you plan on doing off roading where you'll have a sturdier tire to take the abuse. Lots of people don't know the difference and hence put on LT tires and get a less comfy ride than they could. Remember-it's not made to be like an F150. And because I know your my buddy I'll send this along. Make it a "favorite" site http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

O.k. Gotcha. I'm sure they'll be easier on the butt than my bias Swampers :-) BFG LTs have always been our "street" tires of choice, so I see the confusion.

Thanks for the link.

 

My 2 cents worth....I just put on some 275 70 17 on a 2001 expy with no lift..the 285's were fit tested and i would have needed to trim the plastic under the bumper and would have had rubbing problems on hard use...just my 2 cents

 

Woah! That's the first I've heard of that. I've had a world of trouble getting Sam's Club to order the ones I want (BFGs in 285/70R17)...maybe a sign! :-)

Wonder if they carry 275/70s? Thanks!

Edit: No, on checking 275s are rare. Tire rack only carries two kinds - both very mild street tires I don't care for. Oh well. Now I have to decide do I take the risk on fitment issues or go with the wife's pleas for "stock everything!"

 

sams as well as walmart carry the 275's in the wrangler at's and the dunlop rovers...both ok for what I need them for...occasional off road and sand...all the off road shops are willing to sell you a lift and rims so you can put 305's on just my 2 cents...

 

also what ive been told when you go over 265's most tires get out of the passenger load range class