Tire for 97 XLT 4x4

[sgtsandman]

I got stuck because my tires stopped touching the ground.

Thus the part about “where I wanted to go”. There were parts I chose not to go because I wanted to keep my bumpers installed and didn’t want to high center.

You know, like that one part where your rear end dropped about a foot or so going down that drop in the trail.

 

[James Morse]

Thanks that sums it up nicely with add'l info.
Yeah it's not permanent.
What is "high center"?

I hear the comment about use 265/70R15 and there is no way one could go wrong doing that.
And, Ford thought 265/75R15 was ok. From the smaller tires (235/75R15), it does raise the center of gravity a little and I'm not sure but they might have required the handling package (springs, shocks, rear sway) to get the big tires.
Is it on the fringe of too big for the 3.73, yes, but I think it's ok. Yes you will lose a little pep going bigger, etc. Speedo and all that. But none of this is severe.

Here's the thing. Take somewhere like Tire Rack. If you look under either 265/70R15 or 265/75R15 you are going to find like 5 selections. If you search 31x10.5R15 you get 26 selections. So that could well influence me towards the 31" which in fact is exactly the same diameter as the oem 265/75R15. It has a slightly (say .3") wider tread footprint than the 265/75R15. Both of those tires are 30.7" diameter so from stock it raises the truck about 1". That's something, but not huge by any means.

So all of a sudden I am looking at a whole sh*tload of choices. I think what I want is as aggressive as it can be without being really whiny on the road. I'm not sure I need the very most aggressive mud/at tires because I think someone said muds will be a lot noisier.

I suspect if I look at other dealers I'll run into the same thing - not many choices in the 265's but lots in the 31". Plus there's nothing super aggressive in 265. I think it's just not a very popular tire because most people would just say well that's a 31" (it is).

 

[Curious Hound]

Being high centered is when you get hung up on something bigger than your ground clearance. So the wheels are off the ground and you're stuck. It seems to be one of my favorite tricks at our annual roundups. For example;

 

[James Morse]

YIKES! I was thinking early on that where possible you always want the tires on the highest spots otherwise this happens. It probably went great over the front but when the rears went where they did then you're screwed. Looks hung up so probably couldn't back out.
Maybe independent rear susp would help?

 

[Curious Hound]

YIKES! I was thinking early on that where possible you always want the tires on the highest spots otherwise this happens. It probably went great over the front but when the rears went where they did then you're screwed. Looks hung up so probably couldn't back out.
Maybe independent rear susp would help?

You're right. I needed to have some wheels on the rocks. But it slipped off the line I was trying to travel. It happens.

 

[sgtsandman]

Being high centered isn’t a big deal if you have good skid plates to protect the important bits (I don’t yet).

If you are looking at a good, not really noisy tire, you are looking at an all terrain. Something with the tread design of the BF Goodrich KO2 or the General Grabber seems the best. The BFG offers raised sections on the side wall for added traction (I forget the proper name). I’m not sure if the Generals or other brands have those.

All Terrains have a bit more road noise compared to regular all seasons but don’t have the roar of a mid tire.

Tread design is very important. Just because the tire is labeled an all terrain doesn’t mean it is. The Hankooks on my 2019 are a glorified road tire. I do not recommend for off road.

The tread needs to be deeper and more blocky than that. Look at the two I mentioned and compare to what else is out there.

 

[James Morse]

I have the skid plates on transfer case and fuel tank.

I'm tending to BFG KO2 31x10.5R15. Supposedly made in US which is a plus if it's true. Seems to be popular and generally good reviews'

It is no bigger than oem optional size 265/75R15 you could have got with the 3.73 rear end (what I have).

They would weigh total maybe 40 lbs more than 235's.
It will raise truck about an inch from current so in terms of off road that is a bit significant to the good.
There will be a hit on pep and speedo and mileage but probably not huge.
What's important besides is they have a nice aggressive tread and don't rate horribly noisy.
I kind of ruled out 265/70R15 it's just there's not much selection in a/t tires.

Not sure if Cepek tires come in 15" I only found 16" and up. They do look nice.

 

[James Morse]

What would happen if you put a 265/70R17 on the 97 XLT? That is about 31-1/2" diameter so, ok, it's outside "green" for 3.73 but not much.
Dick Cepek Extreme Country | LT265/70R17 (tirerack.com) is one, there are tons of choices, this tread probably noisy.
I think the larger wheels don't really make them pimp tires because the add'l wheel size is taken up in the increased diameter. They are still -not- low-profile tires.
Just a crazy idea.

It would be an expensive proposition - 5 wheels, 5 expensive tires, rear holder for tire since it won't fit in rack underneath. I'd have to look at some pictures of them on the truck. I don't think it's commonly done.
Leaving aside type/brand/tread I don't see what it gains you except it'd definitely be custom unless I'm missing an oem offering. I really doubt that was ever offered.

That size is on a lot of the sample door stickers in my '97 Ranger manuals that's why I was wondering. It probably has nothing to do with Rangers.

When I look under the truck I see a 2" hard rubber block in there so per what has been mentioned I think my truck is raised 2" (oem) from base model.