Wheels on a ?13 explorer

[Little Dutch]

I’ve seen on the Ford forums where people are buying a second set of 17 or 18 rims just to keep snow tires on. You can’t put chains on the 20’s. So I figure the brake rotors will fit.
I started a thread asking about just downsizing the rims permanently for all-seasons a few days ago but got zero replies. I haven’t found a reasonable set of 18 inch alloy wheels that I can afford yet. I’ll call around to the tire shops to see what they have.

[ben4372]

I would put a want ad on Craig's list. You'll have some in no time.

[Gman]

I wouldn't be surprised if someone has 18 inch factory take-offs that they're wanting to sell since they wanted bigger rims.

[Martinjmpr]

If you do a little research you can find out if the '13 Explorer was ever offered with 17" or 18" wheels. If it was, then it's likely that 17's/18's can be found that will fit.

It's OT but I hate the "wagon wheel" trend with the bigger and bigger rims. Looks like crap, rides like crap and costs extra $$. And yet, even with 4wd trucks (you know, the kind that would actually benefit from having a big sidewall), the higher trim levels all seem to include 20" wheels because "that's what the customers expect."

My new-to-me 2018 F-150 was an XLT model with 18's, but from what I've seen on the Intertoobz, 17's will fit as well. The good news for me is that it seems like the price difference between 17's and 18's isn't that great, at least not as great as between 18's and 20's.

[Gman]

My new Ram has 20s and I like them very much. I didn't need the off-road sidewall of the Rebel's standard 18s or the low-profile 22. The 20 is just right.

When I look at the options for the 3 sizes of the same Michelin LTX M/S Defender tires I have on the truck, they price out like this at Discount Tire:
18 275/60-18 $211
20 275/55-20 $211
22 305/40-22 $259

My 2012 Hyundai Azera has low-profile tires and that totally turned me off to them. Our crappy roads can be brutal with low-profile tires. That wagon wheel with a rubber band around it look is hideous, especially on a truck, and makes the suspension do all the work.

[Little Dutch]

There's almost no information out there on the forums about downsizing the rims. I honestly thought more people would drop down from the 20" rims and this question would have an easy answer. What I've found is people with the 18" wheels all went to the 20's, nothing with people going the other direction. So the brake clearance question remains unanswered. I've found two sets of OEM 18" rims that should fit it, both from the similar year Explorer in whatever trim package offered the 18", but they are both in Pueblo. I'd like to try one on before I commit, so I haven't done anything.


Checking the various tire store sites, there are even fewer options for the 18" rims than the 20's for this truck! The 18's are still cheaper than the 20's, but...dang.


I don't want to be a quitter, but I'm about ready to put this to bed by getting new rubber for her 20" rims. It was a nice thought, but I think I'm about done spending time on it.

If you do a little research you can find out if the '13 Explorer was ever offered with 17" or 18" wheels. If it was, then it's likely that 17's/18's can be found that will fit.

It's OT but I hate the "wagon wheel" trend with the bigger and bigger rims. Looks like crap, rides like crap and costs extra $$. And yet, even with 4wd trucks (you know, the kind that would actually benefit from having a big sidewall), the higher trim levels all seem to include 20" wheels because "that's what the customers expect."

My new-to-me 2018 F-150 was an XLT model with 18's, but from what I've seen on the Intertoobz, 17's will fit as well. The good news for me is that it seems like the price difference between 17's and 18's isn't that great, at least not as great as between 18's and 20's.

This is pretty much where I'm at. I prefer the look and functionality of more sidewall and less rim. Luckily it's my wife's daily driver and not my mountain driving truck. We picked it up for the third row seating so we can fit the car seats and everyone else in it, and it probably won't see anything rougher than winter driving conditions.

[Martinjmpr]

That version of the Explorer is used by police - what size wheels do they use? Cop cars usually have less expensive wheels/tires because they go through so many of them.

EDIT: Here are some 18" wheels for the Explorer:

https://www.roadreadywheels.com/prod...0-125%7CC%3A65

Says they're for 2013 - 2019.

[Martinjmpr]

Here's some 17s

https://www.roadreadywheels.com/prod...0-125%7CC%3A65

[Martinjmpr]

My guess is that those 17 and 18" wheels are a standard size and standard offset, which means you could likely go to a junkyard and get a wheel or two just to see if they fit. As long as they clear the brakes they'll probably work fine.

Here's another 17" rim on Amazon for $90.

https://www.amazon.com/Road-Ready-Wh.../dp/B077S574KJ

1 star rating because the factory hub caps don't fit.

[Gman]

18s at Discount Tire: https://www.discounttire.com/fitment...ice-asc&page=0