New to Explorer ownership

[CharlesS]

We purchased a 2008 Eddie Bauer with the 4.6 V8 and 4x4. The truck is a well maintained southern (rust free) vehicle with 129K miles on it. We got the service records and it has been maintained per factory recommendations. We bought the SUV as a DD for the wife. I sent it to the shop a few weeks back. They serviced it and replaced the radiator which had a cracked tank and a slow leak. One thing I don't like is the 18 inch steel wheels with plastic chromed mag wheel covers made to them. Does anyone know if a set of 18 inch Mustang wheels will fit this SUV? Thanks in advance!

 

[Rcflyer330]

It depends on the wheel offset and bold pattern. Your explorer has a 5x114.3 pattern and 70.6 center bore size with a stock offset between 35 and 44. I don't know the stock rim width but probably between 6.5 and 9. If the mustang rims are close to that then yes it should work.

 

[ThunderbirdSport]

The explorer wheels are 7.5" wide.

Not sure if Stang wheels will fit a 4th gen Exploder (SN95, or '98-04 Mustang wheels WILL fit Explorers through 2001, at least...I had them on all of my previous Explorers),

The offset will likely be different. It was wrong with the 2004 Bullits I have in regards to my '98 Explorer, and I know the backspacing is even more different with the 4th gens, just by looking at the wheels on my '06.

FWIW, I have aftermarket 17" wheels and I want to put the stock 17" wheels back on mine...

 

[CharlesS]

Thanks y'all! I also have considered going with an alloy wheel from a similar model Explorer, however most of them are 16 inch wheels, and our Explorer has 18 inch wheels. Not sure if a 16 inch alloy will clear the brake parts?

 

[Rcflyer330]

Yes they will clear stock sizes where 16 up to 18.

 

[CharlesS]

Yes they will clear stock sizes where 16 up to 18.

Thanks, on some vehicles when the engine size increases the size of the brakes are also increased. I didn't know if the Explorer is like that or not, espically since it has a V8.
Our 2015 Mustang GT Premium uses a 19 inch wheel. It came without a spare tire, just an inflation kit. I tried an 18 inch Mustang wheel that I was going to use as a spare, and it does not clear.

 

[michael loibl]

The 18 will likely fit on the rear of your mustang. Not a perfect solution, but if it does, you could always swap a rear to the front and use 18 inch spare in rear.

 

[CharlesS]

Thanks, it didn't fit front or rear. I ordered the factory spare tire kit for it which uses a 19 inch donut style wheel a d tire.

It sounds like all Explorers use the same size brakes regardless of engine or wheel size making them all interchangeable?

 

[ThunderbirdSport]

It sounds like all Explorers use the same size brakes regardless of engine or wheel size making them all interchangeable?

correct, with regards to generation.

 

[CharlesS]

Thank you!