What is the original size tire and rim for a 1997 expedition

The tire size depends on which of the three models you have. The base model came with P175/70R13, the SE model came with P175/65R14, and the SE-R came with P195/55R15. Check the sticker on the drivers side door jamb and/or owners manual.

Tires are not my area of expertise however I know that when a car is designed the specs for drive train and pull of tires are calibrated . Although the look maybe cool never change the tire specs without checking with the dealership. Excessive pull can add too much stress on the tyranny, bearings and differential causing them to need to be replaced faster. Also u can loose valuable gas mileage and a cool look can cost you thousands of dollars in the long run.

that depends on if your doing a stock upgrade or if your have ing a lift kit also installed, depending on the kit itself, would open or limit the tire and or rim size

Hello Projocs03,

Tires are typically measured tire width (sidewall)/tire ride height/wheel size. The differences of the two tire sizes you published are .4 of an inch difference in width/sidewall. And about .55 in over all diameter which would impact you revs per rotation. Depending on your wheel size.

Attached is a comparison of the two given the variable of 17" rim.

Stock Tire >Search Tires Tire 1 - 255/70R17 >Search Tires Tire 2 - 265/70R17 >Search Tires Section Width: - - Section Width: 10.03 in 255 mm Section Width: 10.43 in 265 mm Rim Diameter: - - Rim Diameter: 17 in 431.8 mm Rim Diameter: 17 in 431.8 mm Rim Width Range:
Rim Width Range: 6.5 - 8.5 in Rim Width Range: 7 - 9 in Overall Diameter: - - Overall Diameter: 31.05 in 788.67 mm Overall Diameter: 31.60 in 802.64 mm Sidewall Height: - - Sidewall Height: 7.02 in 178.30 mm Sidewall Height: 7.30 in 185.42 mm Radius: - - Radius: 15.52 in 394.20 mm Radius: 15.80 in 401.32 mm Circumference: - - Circumference: 97.54 in 2477.5 mm Circumference: 99.27 in 2521.4 mm Revs per Mile: - Revs per Mile: 669.8 Revs per Mile: 658.2* Source http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp?action=submit

I added the above link so you can research further or change any variables you need to know. However, the most important thing to understand is the impact of your speedometer. Different sizes will have different impacts. For example going to a bigger tire will show a slower speed on your spedo that your traveling.

Good luck

Hello, I want to recommend a site for its information. You do not have to buy a tire from them, but the information is good. There can be optional size rims for this Year and it came with 16" and 17" Rims. Go to DiscountTires.com and enter your vehicle in the appropriate window and the display will show you what your Expedition may have on it.

The site can be adjusted to find tires for any Season, can show you oversize tires that are possible, and what speedometer error a different oversize tire may have on your Vehicle. I believe yours may be 265/70/ R17's.

I hope my solution is very helpful to you.

265/70R17 Rims Are 17 x8 Good Luck

I believe it will fit. If you go to DiscountTires.com you can use their site for alternate tire sizes. Especially handy is the feature which shows you the Speedometer error for different size tires. The site will also show you recommended and popular substitute tire and wheel sizes.

The 1999 model had a 265/65/17 as an alternative. You may want to ask the Tire store you intend to use if they can reconfigure your Speedo to be accurate. Some of the Fords can be done electrically without changing Speedo gears.

I did something similar by going from a "60" series to a "65" series in the same width. On my Grand Marquis, I gained 5% mileage improvement, but have to watch Speedo until I get it reconfigured. I hope this helps to answer your questions.

Owners manual has the answer. Also on either the door column or inside the fuel door should be a list of original and options tire sizes. Look at the present tires. They are all marked as to their rim size, and dimensions. Probably LT235/75 R15 if they are original now.

Yes. The last number on a tire size is the diameter of the rim, when it changes so too must the tire. The bigger the tire the more they cost.
You also have to pay attention to the width of the rim, side to side. Somes tires need a wider rim than others, so ask when you are buying the rims what width they need tires to be because wider tires cost more too. Hope this helps.

Is the wear spot on the inside treads or on the inside tire wall? Since you put on new/larger rims I would say it is either improper tire inflation or your ball joints are either dying on you or they aren't setup right for that size tire/rim. Also, new rims can throw off your speedo as well.