18's too big?('00 ex sport)

[roncross]

Hi guys,

I recently came across a deal on a set of 18 inch chrome wheels for $300 bucks! The deal was sooo good I snapped them up and figured I'd worry about the rest later.

Well, it's later, lol. I spent some time on Discount tire's website and it seemed to suggest I couldn't go any higher than 16 inch wheels. I have 15 inch wheels on now with 135/75-r15 tires (stock equipment).

Will these 18 inch wheels even fit my 2000 explorer sport? What size tires will I need?

Thanks,

 

[section525]

If the bolt pattern is correct you can run 18s all day long.

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome, how much does each wheel weigh? If the weight is over about 25 pounds or so, I'd not use them. The extra weight would greatly reduce performance(acceleration, braking, and fuel mileage).

Next look at the back of the wheel, and find the offset figure. It is usually a number, and the letters "ET," such as 25ET, or 30ET. Most wheels have their offset stamped on the back, in millimeters.

2nd gen. Explorers need wheel offsets of about 25mm, for stock to 8" wide wheels. Wider wheels need even more special care to fit correctly. If the offset is much less than that, it will stick out of the wheelwell. If it has more offset, say over 35mm, then the wheel/tire will rub the suspension. Good luck,

 

[Brian_B]

Some tire shops will not allow any larger size tires or wheels to be installed on an X. In fact some of them will not even put LT (stock sizes) on them and will only install car rated tires. That explains them not showing an 18" wheel fitting.

There are members here running 18" wheels though. They will have to answer your questions there, since I am stock 16".

 

[roncross]

The bolt pattern's universal, so that's not a problem.
I've been trying to figure out how much I'm going to be out of for a set of tires but I don't know what size I'll need. The rims came with some low profile tires but they're pretty-much gone (wouldn't want low-pro's anyway).

What size tires would I need for normal every-day driving (an occasional load, but nothing major).

Ps. If it's any consolation guys, I did try to find the answers before posting, lol.

 

[roncross]

"Next look at the back of the wheel, and find the offset figure. It is usually a number, and the letters "ET," such as 25ET, or 30ET. Most wheels have their offset stamped on the back, in millimeters."

Looking at the back of the rims I saw:

A163 650KG

and...

18X8JJ


there was also a small circle with the number 42 inside it. That's it though, nothing followed by "et".

Hard to tell about the weight because they have tires mounted on them. But when I put one on the bathroom scale it showed 50 pounds!

 

[spindlecone]

18swill work fine on your 00 sport, no problem

 

[CDW6212R]

The 42 is likely the offset. The offset figure is basically two digits, alone or with the "ET" letters, which I have forgotten the meaning of.
If the offset is really 42mm, then you are about 15mm away from where they would need to be. A 1/4" spacer is not difficult to get, but beyond a thin spacer, a thickness of close to an inch is thin for an adapter(spacer with five studs and six holes).

Do you have fender flares? The flared models can stand a little less offset, meaning that a one inch adapter would place the final offset around 17mm, which would be outboard for mine without flares. For an Explorer with fender flares, that 17mm offset might be very good.

Have you set them onto the front studs yet. Test fit them with the other tires. That is the best way to decide where they fit, and how much they may need to move. That will also help you decide what width of tire you want, and height(compare with original tire).

Remember that the larger the tire you choose, the heavier it will be. My wheel/tire combo is 72 pounds, which is more than I'd like. My tires are about 40 pounds of that. Try to remain at or below 30" in height to minimize the weight of the tire. Try various sizes on the Tire Rack's website. Start with a size of about 255/60/18. Good luck,

Make a decision on width, compared to the original 235/75/15 tires. Decide if you want the same 29" height, or the 16" stock diameter(30"), or something else.

 

[roncross]

I appreciate all of the information! I do have the flares on my fenders. I haven't "tried on the shoes" yet, but I'll try to get around to doing that. Thanks for the website too. I'll go check that out.

 

[roncross]

Update:

Man, ths is starting to be a hassle! I'm finding out Ford has sent out a memo to all of the tire companies scaring them to death about roll-ovrs and being held liable. I contacted Discount Tire and they informed me they wouldn't install 18' rims/tires on my truck.

I saw another post here where a member was posting that the Tire Rack wouldn't even sell him the tires when they found out what he'd be putting them on.

I've always bought from Discount Tire because of their great service and guarantees. I hate to go to some shadetree just to get it done and have no recourse when something happens.

Pep-Boys would probably sell me anything, knowing them...but who trusts them!

So anyway, I'm still looking for help with this guys. I read quite a bit, so I know many of you go for the mean, off-road look with the big tires. I have a 200 Explorer Sport, so I'm looking to have a sportier look. I never go off-road.

However, I don't want the super-thin low-profile tires because every now and then I still use the truck ...well, like a truck! I want to be able to carry some dj equipment or drive over a curb without popping a tire, lol.

So I'm confused about what tire size to ask for and where to go to get them mounted. They don't have to be as high as the stock tires, but I want something bigger than the low-pro's.

235/75/15 is the original size.

255/60/18 was suggested as a starting point. I don't really know how they compare height-wise. Does the middle number represent the height? If so,
does the height go down as the number gets smaller, or vise-vera?

Thanks again,

 

[slravene]

do you have a 4wheelparts, or other 4wheeling type shop in your area...i KNOW that they will install anything under any truck. They might look at you funny for putting on some 18s, but hell they will do it.

 

[Nippon]

I have 22"s on and the car handles 100% better than with stock wheels, less roll in corners due to less tyre wall flex, more grip etc.....the list is endless.

Still trying to source some damn spacers though !!

 

[boominXplorer]

I used 255/55r18's on my truck which is factory equivlent size. Buy some tires online from someone or say you have a porsche cyanne (sp) and they came with 255/55r18's

 

[BeauJ]

I used 255/55r18's on my truck which is factory equivlent size. Buy some tires online from someone or say you have a porsche cyanne (sp) and they came with 255/55r18's

Look on ebay for those Chyanne tires. They're usually cheap and go pretty quick so watch out.