The most beaten to death topic....step inside.

[yellow90tsi]

I know I know this is the most talked about topic. And everyone has there own opinion. Im just looking for some additional guidance.


I have a 2000 xpedition 425 4x4 5-speed. I was planning on a 2" lift and eventually in the next year do the 500 swap.
First question, 26" or 27"s. Then on to the tire choice.


GBC dirt tamers
Highlifter Outlaw MST
Interco Swamplites or the Reptiles
STI Mudtrax
MAxxis Zilla

All of these tires put me into the 400-440 range in 27" so that is what I am looking for. I dont want super heavy as I am a big guy and dont want to add more weight to this machine as it is.

I ride rocks and hardpack for the most part. But I am that guy to drive off the trail into the first mud hole I see. I also want these things for the snow.Thanks in advace guys. Any help is appreciated.

[blueline15]

New axles too. You're going to gain a lot of ground clearance with the lift and tires both, it's going to put a lot of stress on the stock axles, they will break.

[yellow90tsi]

Gorilla axles $730 for the front!!!!! Are there any other alternatives? And what do I do about the rear axle? I havnt seen many upgrades for a rear axle.



And what are your thoughts about the tires? Which one and size. Should I maybe not lift it and just run the 26"

[SMP63]

I love my 26" Mud Trax XL's. Been a very good all around tire so far & are holding up great. Very little wear for having just over 2,000 miles on them! Plan on getting a set for the red wheeler when the budget allows.

[blueline15]

Originally Posted by yellow90tsi

Gorilla axles $730 for the front!!!!! Are there any other alternatives? And what do I do about the rear axle? I havnt seen many upgrades for a rear axle.



And what are your thoughts about the tires? Which one and size. Should I maybe not lift it and just run the 26"

What was stock? Remind me...are they 25"? Lets just assume they are right now.

If you run with 27"s and a 2" lift, you are gaining about 3"s of ground clearance. But, the stock axles just aren't going to handle it. Its a ton of stress because of the new angles caused by the lift and tires. Its not if the axles will break, its when, and how far away from the trailer are you when they do.

You're also going to be giving up bottom end power. You'll likely want to add a clutch kit to this as well to get back the power you're giving up with the tires. You'll also notice the higher center of gravity, it's going to be more tippy and unstable, especially on sidehills.

I don't know of any axles less expensive that would do the job. There are Rhino axles, but they just seem to be an alternative to OEM, but not any stronger.

I understand the desire to put big tires and a lift on....my chevy truck is sitting on 35"s with 3" of lift, but it hardly sees off-road, like most trucks. And a lot of lifted, oversized trucks on stock components break stuff offroad.

I'm not telling you what to do, I am just telling you what I would do. I would not lift it. I would not go to 27"s. I would however run 26"s on stock everything else, and not be worried about. You probably wont need a clutch kit, and you probably wont be breaking axles with 26"s. Thats just what I would do.

As far as tire choices, thats a personal opinion I usually dont answer.

[deicide610]

Super grip Mud Bitch's ! Mud/Snow, Very agressive but kind of a bumpy ride under 10mph. Soft compound, 6ply, one of the deepest tire treads made. If this helps, you can checkout 'Mudthrowers.com' for a pretty good selection of tires and rims and also has packages. Hope this helps ya out a bit,.... Mike

[lost cause]

The only tire on that list I can tell you about is the Swamplite. I do not recommend it since you stated you ride a lot of hardpack. the rubber on those tires is soft and will wear out quick on hardpack. They also like to wobble at speeds over 15 mph. As far as axles, it all depends on your riding style. If you stay on the hardpack you should be fine. That being said, anytime you increase the angle of the axle you also increase the risk of breaking it. You have to pay to play, so I would also include the price of axles with your lift and tires. Rhino's are a little stronger than stock, but it only took me 3 rides to break them. Gorilla or Turner is the way to go.

[4getful2]

Just remember, that when you jump up 2" in size, that it will change your gearing , soooo you'll probably have to start out in 1st instead of second.
I don't the rest of these guys knows what an expedition has, that makes it special.

[yellow90tsi]

Well I pulled the trigger and bought tires.

I bought the new Bearclaw HTR 26/9/12 and 26/11/12 rear. No lift.


This should be a decent setup, and worst case I picked up 32lbs. in tire weight. And maybe dropped 3lbs. in wheel weight so really only gaining about 29lbs.

Shouldnt be horrible. I will report back with pictures and whatnot when they get here.

[Bruce!]

No I think oil would be the top one!