98 explorer 5.0 whinning

Is it a 4X4? AWD? What size and condition of tires.

Reason I ask, is that mine has a whine that seemed to get worse over time. My wife drives the truck regularly so it is more noticable to me. Well I checked everything, trans/gears/ bearings. Turns out it was just the tires that I have, I have BFG AT/KO (aggressive tread) as they wear they tend to whirrrr/hummm with the speed. Didn't sound like the tire hummm that I hear from other big trucks, but sure enough I took the tires off and the sound went away. I put the tires back on , I WON'T ride on anything but BFG at/KO! Why, lets just say they LAST, they have gotten us out of rough terrain with ease, and I have tried others and I have found that nothing compares to BFG.

Searcher

Mine does the same thing but to tell you one thing sound travels. Usually a whinning sound comes from bearings that could be going out so my best seggestion is to use a stethiscope on any mechanical part with the engine running.

Bingo, Thats exactly what I did, I checked everything that I could safely with a stethescope, And its not a reg. Steth, the auto style has a long solid rod to which you simply touch the object you wish to listen in on.

Searcher