Bigger Tires

[tallballer23]

I have a 1997 expedition and I want to put bigger tires on it, it is a 4x4 XLT.

What is the max tire size I can have before having to change the gear ratio? I want to have 33's.....\


Also, I was looking at a leveling kit on, would this make the 33's work?

Thanks

[bstedh]

You definitely want to find a forum dedicated to off road builds. Some of the things you will come across is that you can do a mild lift by adjusting the front torsion bars and over sized springs but you have to really look at you drive shaft angles when doing this. Also you will be sacrificing stability and comfort with these modifications. I have a feeling you will be going into a lot more depth with 33's. Also another thing a lot of people forget about with oversize tires is that you need to get a speedometer gear to match your tires so your spedo remains accurate.

[Indymek]

I have a 2000 AWD Expedition, I cranked up the torsions while on race car scales until the cross weight was 50%, in stock position they seem to have the truck set with a lot of left side weight, after the weight was correct I turned in about 5-6 more turns of torsion on the key adjuster. With that you can install 285-70-17 BFG T/A KO's on the stock wheel and there are no problems. I have that set up right now. I did nothing to the rear, so the front sits a little high like a "prerunner". Hope that helps.

[tallballer23]

Did you use torsion keys?

[Indymek]

I didn't replace the stock torsion keys. I just turned in some rounds in the stock bolts. I can turn lock to lock with absolutely no clearance issues. I feel I could have went a little larger tire, but it would have cost too much fuel economy, and the 285's look just right. I hope it helps.

[tallballer23]

I'm debating between spending $200 on a leveling kit(new torsion keys) or just doing a torsion twist. I heard the torsion twist can make the ride rough while new torsion keys keep stock ride without wearing down other parts. Have you noticed a change in your ride since you did the torsion twist?

[Indymek]

I have always had "firm" suspensions as a rule. I would say that even after the twisting of the torsions, this Expy is still really soft and has a lot of roll to it. I am considering a stiffer sway bar combo. So I would say "no" the ride is not rough.

[dgna5]

I am also running 275/70 but R16. about 31.85''.. very little rub with out ne mods. But I did "crank" T-bars with little change in ride comfort.
I did tho install an energy susp. $ 70..Coil spring spacer to eliminate the "Pre-runner" Look...