17x8 98 COBRA'S

[anthony de gazo]

My question today is I want to use the cobra r setup but don't want to use spacers. Has any one used Xor know if the 98 cobra{17x8} will fit on a 97 awd.Thanks in advance for everyones input.

 

[tbomb]

yes, they should. the 98 cobra rims (17x8) are different rims than the 95 cobra r's (17x9) which most people have. you shouldnt need spacers for the 98 cobra wheels.

keep in mind that when you look at both rims in pics, they look the same, but theyre not. the 98 cobras have more arc on the spokes than the 95 cobra r's, not to mention different center caps. not a big difference, but still a difference.

i think someone else was asking about this the other day, try a search on it to see what they did.

good luck, your truck should look sweet

 

[YamahaRick]

I plan to use 17x8 Corbra wheels with Michelin 255/55x17 tires. I believe this size was used on the 1998 Steeda Explorer.

FYI ... www.tirerack.com has GREAT prices on tires. They also sell genuine Ford SVT Cobra wheels. Mounted and balanced, the tirerack price was MUCH cheaper than buying both wheels and tires locally, even with the wheels being about 30 more each via tirerack.

If you need wheels only, go to www.gefracing.com and buy them for about 115 bucks each. Almost a steal.

Once I am ready to make the switch, I will order both wheels and tires from tirerack.com

 

[anthony de gazo]

Don't tell tireeack.com that you are going to use that setup with an explorer. If you do they will not sell it to you.Seems that they have made a deal with FORD onl
y to sell 235-75-15 and nothing else.

 

[leenjen]

what about explorers that came with factory 16" rims?

 

[tbomb]

www.gefracing.com is a good site. thats where i got my cobra r's...and thats enough about that topic ....seriously, though, they were great to deal with.

 

[Bud Snyder]

they should fit awd, i got a set for my 97 explorer right before my lease was up but never used them.i tried them onand they fit but i didn't have tires installed,they wouldn't fit my 98 2 wd though, so i sold them and got cobra r's

 

[mikeresin]

this is kinda a dumb question but whats wrong with useing wheel spacers... and what exactly is the outcome when you put them on?

 

[tbomb]

well, since my wheels just about gave me an ulcer worrying about them, here goes.....

1) people say the inner lugs have a tendency to come loose.

2) they put extra wear on your wheel bearings.

3) as far as im concerned, they made me feel very unsafe.

4) i also found out that in PA theyre outlawed.

keep in mind i had the 1" spacers made by H&R. they were very good quality spacers, but i was nervous driving my own truck!

you might also wanna try a search for wheel spacers, or even just by my nick, youll find a ton of info on it.

 

[Cdexplorer]

I went with the 17x9 Cobra R's and didn't have to use spacers at all. The front tires rub from about 99-100% full turn. Not a big deal at all. I've had them on a little over a month and have had no problems. Good luck!

 

[Big Poppa]

Does anyone know the size of 2000 cobra rims? The guy who is selling them said they are 17x7.5, does that sound right- also, can I fit 255-50 BFG Comp T/A's on there? Also any input on those tires.
Thanks

 

[tbomb]

theres no such thing as a 2000 cobra, but there is a 2000 cobra r. the 2000 cobra r's are 17x9's if im not mistaken.

 

[mikeresin]

what the hell are you talking about. dont try and tell me they didnt make a cobra in 2000.

 

[tbomb]

easy there, fella. maybe im mistaken then; i thought they didnt make them in 2000, but if im wrong and youre right, then so be it.

 

[tbomb]

well, surprisingly, im right. after the disaster ford had in 99 with them, they did not make the cobra in 2000, but they brought them back in 2001.

 

[Bud Snyder]

the cobra's should be 17x8,iwould go with 255/60/17 comp t/a's unless you plan on lowering it ,that is the size i have on mine,255/50's wouldn't look right ,to big of a gap between tires and fender.

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by tbomb
well, surprisingly, im right. after the disaster ford had in 99 with them, they did not make the cobra in 2000, but they brought them back in 2001.

what was the problem in 1999?

 

[tbomb]

leenjen, in 99, they cobras were rated at a higher horsepower than they actually were (like, much higher, i forget the numbers, but this wasnt a 5 horsepower deal) - i think when they dynoed it, it had different headers and intake on it.

 

[Big Poppa]

Bud,
Do you have any pics of your truck?
Thanks

 

[Bud Snyder]

pics of my x

how do i post pics?