20 x 9 Optional Wheels from Ford

[Oz Dude]

Hi All,

I need some help from the board members.

We currently have an issue in Oz with aftermarket wheels being fitted to vehicles as the local authorities refuse to accept new national legislation that's been recommended for the past 2 years. Basically the local authorities are relying on laws that are 15 years old (way before low profile tires and large wheels - think 14-15"). As a result, I need to find some specs on the new optional wheel package available for the Explorer in the USA and I need to know where I can get it in writing.

As I understand it, the new wheel / tire package being offered as an option by Ford is 20x9's with 255/50/20's.

I need to know what the adjusted track measurements are with this combination (both front and rear), and as I said, I need to know where I can find it in writing from Ford (a brochure, part of a new owner's manual, anything).

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Oz

 

[bojans]

Wasn't aware of 20's on the Explorer. Thought they only went up to 18's.

 

[FordLover]

I found some info on blueovalnews.com in the 09 explorer order guide.

Link is here, but you'll have to register I think before it will let you access it.
http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=7488

you have the tire size right, but it doesn't list the width of the 20" wheels as far as I could find. Not sure where you'd find tech numbers, but I'd guess that the track of the vehicle wouldn't change much at all.

 

[Oz Dude]

I clicked the link but it's telling me that the menu has been disabled

A mate who works for a Ford Dealership gave me the tire and wheel dimensions but he can't find out what the new track measurements are.

The track would have to be wider. You can't take off a 7.5" width rim and bolt a 9" on without it having to alter the track. That 1.5" has to go somewhere and on the Explorer, the only direction is out.

This is really frustrating - you'd think Ford would have specs like this published somewhere!!

Oz

 

[bitkahuna]

Yes, they are an option NOW (08).

http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/explorer/fip/index.asp?nPopupID=14274&nType=1

 

[Oz Dude]

Yes, they are an option NOW (08).

http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/explorer/fip/index.asp?nPopupID=14274&nType=1

Hey, thanks for the pic. They definitely sit further outward than the standard wheels (cause they have to - there's no room further inward) and that's gonna be what I need.

Now if only someone can find for me where we can see written specs of what the adjusted F&R track of the vehicle will be with those wheels on it.

Thanks,
Oz

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

Yes, they are an option NOW (08).

http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/explorer/fip/index.asp?nPopupID=14274&nType=1

Those are pretty sweet looking... and they're not the "chrome clad" poop! (Although polished wheels have their own daemons)

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

Anyone find any additional information on the 20" wheels....? After-market pricing? I saw a Sport Trac Adrenalin the other day, and it looks like it comes with the 20" wheels we're talking about here...

 

[XtremeRanger]

Those wheels are BADASS! i wILL find a set...

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

I happened to run across an 08 with them on eBay... DROOL!!!

 

[SpartanTS]

There's a Sport Trac Adrenalin here with those wheels, and they look pretty good. I was thinking about getting a nice set of wheels for the Ironman, so I may look into getting these if I can get them for a decent price.

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

I may look into getting these if I can get them for a decent price.

Keep us posted!

 

[SpartanTS]

Keep us posted!

I wanted to get them from the dealer, but they never got back to me. If I get them, I'll be sure to post pix.

 

[bender]

I have an 08 Limited with these wheels. they won me over right away. couple of notes. 1st, I too was curious of the width, and couldnt find it in any ford literature, the plate on the door sill has it though, they are 20x8. not 9.

they only come on AWD versions. Stock size tire is correct, they are pirelli scorpians.

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

they only come on AWD versions.

I wonder why that is...? Kinda lame... Perhaps it's part of their steps to turn the Explorer into a minivan-ute...

 

[Four0Sport]

i test drove a 2009 explorer sport awd 4.0 sohc with the 20" wheels and pirelli tires. the truck has blacked out accents and trim, blacked out factory wheel flares, and dubs? come on now! deffinetly not what i was looking for in a 'sport'. i remember the good ol days of explorerdom when sport meant 2 dr, black trim, no thrills, 4wd. if you were lucky you got power windows and locks.

 

[SpartanTS]

A dealer near me had them on a 4x2 EB.

 

[chris's2005]

here you go there on the sport

http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/explorer/

 

[bender]

Yeah - good point 4x2 as well, up here there's really no such thing as a 4x2 SUV.

as noted, I expect to see more of the 20" wheels now that the 09 has the sport package with these.

 

[Chris K.]

One thing that I think hasn't been emphasized is according to Ford, the 20 inch tires and wheels are not "off-road" certified. Not sure exactly what that means or if it matters to you, but that’s what it says in my 2008 owner's manual.

Chris