Explorer tire choices.

[KLAKEBRONCO]

I'm kind of looking at tires right now, and would appreciate any feedback or suggestions.
The stock size on our 2001 Explorer is 235/75/15, but am looking at my options.

My priorities include

1. Price
2. Longevity (highway mileage treadwear)
3. Effects on MPG
4. Traction (especially wet rock/cement)
5. Smoothness on road (Note not noise as I can tolerate some noise)
6. Winter traction on snow/ice
7. And to top it all off mud traction since any offroading will be muddy most likely

I would like to look at a very moderate height increase. At 70-75mph on the highway I'm at 2500RPM, and I really think the power to weight ratio of this truck would allow me to run at 2000rpm at that speed easily.


So far as I can tell I'm looking at stock replacements of the 235's with a more aggressive A/T tread pattern
A 30x9.5x15 or 31x10.5x15
And if I make a wheel swap (which I would rather not do simply because of cost-I want to stick with aluminum for weight savings) a 245/75/16 or a 235/85/16.


I would think that I would get great tire wear out of the 235/85/16's simply because they are a higher load range tire which I've always equated to longer wearing when used on a lighter truck. (I don't like the idea of increasing harshness though)

245/75/16's seem to be really common, and this might be the best size but I would need new wheels. Maybe some factory 16" wheels can be sourced for a good price.

31x10.5's seem to be the most common, but I'm concerned about the extra width hurting MPG more than my other options. These seem to run a little cheaper than others.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

BFG makes great tires in all of those sizes.

 

[duckhunter71]

I'm about to put a set of Cooper Discoverer A/T3s on my Frontier. I had a set on my 99 4Runner before I sold it and absolutely loved them. They rode good, looked good, and had good traction. I believe mine had 10-12k on them when I sold the 4Runner and they still looked absolutely brand new. They've got a 55k mile warranty one them, so I expect to get quite a few miles out of them, as well.

Those were 265/75-16s.

 

[dddonkey]

I would look at the Goodyear Duratracs, I had them on my wife's Jeep Commander and that thing went everywhere I wanted it to. I am looking to put them on my truck when the current tires are worn out.

 

[4x4junkie]

I would think that I would get great tire wear out of the 235/85/16's simply because they are a higher load range tire which I've always equated to longer wearing when used on a lighter truck. (I don't like the idea of increasing harshness though)

I would also be afraid of the tire not gripping as well, especially on wet rocks (stiffer carcass not conforming to the terrain as well, and probably a harder rubber compound to help support it's higher load rating).

I also have heard a lot of good word on the Duratracs, I'd 2nd those maybe in a 30x9.50 for a slight height increase, or the 31x10.50s for something a little more substantial. Running about 30-35 PSI, your MPG (and treadwear) should be pretty decent.

 

[Revco]

I had 70k on a set of 235/85/16 Cooper Discoverer ATR's and they still passed state inspection. I loved those tires.

 

[legendaryandrew]

I'm partial to Toyo M/T's. They're a bit heavy, but they wear slow, and they're great in mud. Plus they seem to grip pretty damn good in snow/ice if you have them siped. I did on my '97 FZJ, and the thing was amazing in the winter. Maybe even better than my Evo's Blizzaks.

 

[Greggk]

have you looked at the Cooper Discoverer STT? Great cheap tire $159.00 each in 31x10.50r15



http://www.treaddepot.com/tire/76105.html

 

[brianjwilson]

I ran 31x10.50s on my stock 97 Explorer 4x4. That particular truck had 3.73 gears, the OHV made decent low end power. If you have taller gearing (3.55) I'd think about a smaller size. The 31s weren't much worse than stock (generally terrible) for mileage.
15" tires are generally cheaper and the proper load range (C).