Wheels on a ?13 explorer

[Little Dutch]

I had 18" alloys lined up in pueblo for $200 for a set of 4. I couldn't even get a tire shop to comment on whether they'd work though.

[Martinjmpr]

I'm assuming you've checked the "usual suspects" of Craigslist, FB marketplace, NextDoor app, etc?

Local used auto parts a/k/a junkyard would be the next logical step. Try searching eBay locally (there is a setting where it will only look for auctions within a certain number of miles from your zip code.)

You'd be surprised how many junkyards advertise on eBay. I found a back wheel for my motorcycle on eBay and when I looked at the location, it was at Steele's Cycle in Englewood. So we completed the auction on-line and then made arrangements to just go pick the wheel up in person rather than have them ship it the 3 miles to my house. Worked like a charm, I walked in, told them I bought a wheel off of eBay and they had it right at the counter waiting for me. I'll bet some auto parts places are like that too.

Also, I saw in the OP you specified alloy rims. Any particular reason to favor alloy? You could likely find a set of basic steel rims for not too much $$. Personally I prefer steel to alloy if I have a choice.

[00tec]

I would be willing to place a bet that 18" explorer or taurus wheels will fit just fine. The largest brakes on your year explorer would be on the police interceptor, and those ran 18" wheels.

[crays]

If you go with 18"s, and go with mfr size specs, you'll need to calibrate your speedo/odo. That's assuming you were originally equipped with 255/50r20 , and go to original 245/60r18.

If you go to 255/60r18, the tire dimensions are basically the same, except for the sidewall height. The 18's will have 1" higher sidewall. Width, diameter, circumference/revs per mile are the same.

If you haven't looked it up yet, the wheel specs for the 20" is 20x8.5, 5 on 4.5, 2.5" hub bore, 44mm offset; 18" is 18x8, 5 on 4.5, 2.5 hub bore, 44mm offset.
I'm not sure what effect the 1/2" narrower wheel will have on handling, if any. Someone with more knowledge about that will have to chime in about that.


But you've probably already researched all this yourself. I just had a few minutes to kill at my computer at work...

[00tec]

If you go with 18"s, and go with mfr size specs, you'll need to calibrate your speedo/odo. That's assuming you were originally equipped with 255/50r20 , and go to original 245/60r18.

If you go to 255/60r18, the tire dimensions are basically the same, except for the sidewall height. The 18's will have 1" higher sidewall. Width, diameter, circumference/revs per mile are the same.

If you haven't looked it up yet, the wheel specs for the 20" is 20x8.5, 5 on 4.5, 2.5" hub bore, 44mm offset; 18" is 18x8, 5 on 4.5, 2.5 hub bore, 44mm offset.
I'm not sure what effect the 1/2" narrower wheel will have on handling, if any. Someone with more knowledge about that will have to chime in about that.


But you've probably already researched all this yourself. I just had a few minutes to kill at my computer at work...

You can change the speedo calibration for revolutions per mile using a laptop running Forscan (free) and a OBDII adapter.

[Gman]

I think we covered that already.

[crays]

Yeah. I thought I previously read most of the thread, but I went back through and realized most of my post was already covered.

Sent from somewhere...