315's on a stock height Ex?

[AJ'sDad]

I'm considering getting 315x75/16s for my next set of tires.

I'm planning on leveling the truck first with an X-spring swap.

Will the 315's rub on an Excursion that is stock except for the X-springs?

I would put a lift on the truck, but I have to fit in my parking garage. Right now I have 2" of clearance since I removed my crossbars.

(Since the truck is black, it's more important to me to park underground during the Oklahoma summers than it is to jack it up. [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] )

[kflaig]

My 295s rub on the leaf springs at full lock but are ok otherwise.

[AJ'sDad]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kflaig:
My 295s rub on the leaf springs at full lock but are ok otherwise.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Do you have any lift on the front?

[kflaig]

Nope

[AJ'sDad]

Excellent.

[POLR BR]

My 295's don't rub on the springs but do rub on the flaps. Even after installing the X springs on the Ex, there was still a wisper of a rub. The X springs gave me 2" of lift but it seems to have given me very little in the way of additional tire clearance. If you have 315's on and the X springs you are going to gain about 2.95 on the tire diameter (1.5"lift) and 2" on the springs for a total of 3.5". You may not fit in your garage if you only have two inches of clearance to work with. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

[AJ'sDad]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by POLR BR:
My 295's don't rub on the springs but do rub on the flaps. Even after installing the X springs on the Ex, there was still a wisper of a rub. The X springs gave me 2" of lift but it seems to have given me very little in the way of additional tire clearance. If you have 315's on and the X springs you are going to gain about 2.95 on the tire diameter (1.5"lift) and 2" on the springs for a total of 3.5". You may not fit in your garage if you only have two inches of clearance to work with. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've thought of that.

If the rear of the truck has 2 inches of clearance, and I'm only bringing the front up to match the rear, then the only thing that would raise the overall height of the truck is the tires, which as you said, will raise it ~1.5 inches.

Now the real problem I have is the wheels. I really like the way the factory wheels look, and I hate to buy new ones if I don't have to. So, has anyone had experience with 315s on stock rims?

(I'll probably just put 295s on the stock rims, but I still love to hear other's opinions.)

[ceferino]

I ran 305s before installing the lift kit and they never rubbed. 315s are only a little bit taller. I'd bet they won't rub or if they do it'll only be nuisance rubbing.

[POLR BR]

AJ'sDad,

The X springs will lift your front end about an inch over level. Another poster installed 1" blocks on the rear axle and said that levelled the truck after the X code springs were installed. I am not sure I am a full 1" higher in the front, but I put a 4'level on the running board immediately after I completed the X spring installation and the front was definitely elevated. I would expect 3/4" to 1" more than the 1 1/2" you are allowing now. Not to be the bearer of bad news, but you need to know if you will fit in your garage ( or worse whether you can get out if you do the installs yourself in the garage [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] )

[AJ'sDad]

I'll do the spring install first and see where it sits. Then I'll drive it for a few thousand miles and see if the springs settle.

Thanks for the heads up!!

[rjohn37]

For what it's worth, I've done a boatload of investigation on the subject, including monitoring all of the forums. I too can't stand the mushy front end. In my research I contacted Northside Ford here in Portland and they gave me some good advice. "Forget the 450/550 springs". "Go to an experienced spring shop and ask them for their advice".

I also talked to another experienced front end guy (29 years worth of experience) and he said the 450/550 springs would be too stiff and you may have alignment problems. He also suggested going to a good spring shop.

I contactd Benz spring here in Portland and they said they are aware of the soft front ends on the Excursions. They suggested adding a leaf to stiffen up the ride and raise the front about an inch. These guys are no slouches and have many years of experience.

One other thing. Every yahoo and his uncle has a big rig with a lift kit here in the Northwest. There are many ways to accomplish the task.

Do yourself a favor and find a GOOD spring shop and talk to them. Good Luck

[krdadlamb]

I have also followed this subject closely because I want bigger tires, but need to still fit into the garage. A post somewhere said that a F350 4x4 is the same height as an Excursion with about 2 inches of lift. So I went to the local dealer and "test drove" a F350 Four door LWB with a shell. 2 Things: It fit the garage, but with only about 1 1/2 inches to spare so I don't know if I can squeeze in with a lift and bigger tires. That thing rode so much nicer than my Excursion. I am not sure if it was the longer wheel base or the stiffer suspension, but it was a considerabley better ride. My conclusion: Larger tires are no longer the 1st priority, I'm getting a better suspension for my Excursion, if after that I can still clear the garage, then I'll consider bigger tires.

[scotpart]

The problem with mine was not the rubbing, but rather the weight on the 305's on the stock wheel. I hated the ride so much that I trashed the OEM wheels, and put 8" X 16 on mine. With the 7: wide wheel, it felt like it was flexing or wallowing too much. The rear felt real mushy.

scott [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

[ceferino]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AJ'sDad:
I'm considering getting 315x75/16s for my next set of tires....Will the 315's rub on an Excursion that is stock except for the X-springs?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, they will rub at both rear corners of the front bumper. But 305/70-16s will not rub, and it a great size for an X with little or no lift. I ran them on my X up until last weekend.

[AJ'sDad]

Do they rub on the actual bumper or the air dam/blocker beam?