As I am shopping around, several manufacturers list LT tires and then a "33x12.5x17" or something like that that has very similar dimentions to the LT.

I am hunting around for replacements for my 03 Ex and am wondering what the real difference is in these and what would be best. Best meaning - good pavement traction (wet and snow for going to work) and occasional off road for hunting or messing around. I am looking for an AT type tire. Good wear, good price.

One other question - some companies carry a 34" tire. I was going to go with 33's, but am wondering if a 34 would fit on an 03 Ex 4x4, or would I need a level kit (which I would like to do anyway).

thanks for your thoughts.

 

I highly recomend BFG TA KO in 285/75/16 or 305/70/16. Your 4x4 Expedition will have torsion bars... you can crank those and you get a free leveling kit. 34's would fit if you crank the torsion bars all the way up but id recomend 33's unless you decide you want to put a body lift on.

1 BFG TA KO
2 ProComp Extreme AT's
3 Nitto Terra Grapplers
4 Toyo AT
5 Mickey Thompson ATZ
6 Super Swamper STS
7 Pitbull Growler (bias ply)

There the top AT's on the market right now. I might have left some out but thats all i can think of at the moment!

 

There are two different ways tires are measured, metric (305/65-17) and floatation (33x12.50-17). Some manufacturers even use the different methods in the same model line (the BFG AT KO for instance).
The 03 Expy doesn't have torsion bars. It has IFS with coilover shocks like the 04-08 F-150's. It also has IRS with coilovers out back. I'd recommend the Autospring or similar leveling kit. Your OEM tires were 265/70-17 which are essentially a 32x10.50 tire. I'd suggest a 285/70-17 (33x11.50) or a 305/65-17 (33x12.50) as a replacement. I'd look at the BFG AT KO's, Nitto Terra Grapplers and Toyo AT's.

 

Flotation is a way of designating sizing, using inches instead of millimeters. 33", 35", etc. P-Metric sizing would use 3 digit mm measurements....265, 275, etc....

"LT" designates construction and load carrying ability. Usually:

"P" = standard load, 4 ply.
LT"C" = 6 ply sidewall
LT "D" = 8 ply sidewall
LT "E" = 10 ply sidewall

10 ply being the highest construction and the stiffest sidewall. If you do any heavy hauling or pulling a 10 ply would be the most recommended.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=55

 

I see you are the tire guy, so I hate to aske the question, but at the risk of looking stupid, I will...

Are you sure the plies you mention are sidewall? I think maybe tread. I read and was told the sidewall of the P's are something like 2 plies, 3 plies on XL rated P's, and 4 plies on LT's. If I recall, Michilen direct may have said that. Maybe they are full of rubber.

 

I was thinking the same thing... but i couldnt word my question as good as you so i said "OH WELL"

 

""plys" no longer exist. the load range is a ply RATING as compared to bias tires.

 

Its definitely the sidewall. Thats where all the support comes from. With the Nitto Grapplers I know the LT E rating is 10 ply.

 

get awesome answers!

I figured the LT meant stiffer tire, maybe = harder ride. Wandell is correct, there are to bars on the 03 Ex. I was thinking about as AS or Daystar level kit + the 33 or 34" tires.

Looking for Size + treadlife + good in snow (not that we get alot here in NJ; but I travel 45 miles one way to work and I need dependable traction if/when it snows) + price.