Anybody have these Ford Racing wheels on their Ex?

[Cdexplorer]

Anybody have either the Ford Racing FR500 wheels or the 10th anniversary Cobra wheel on their explorer? Don't even know if they would fit, just assuming they are similar to the Cobra R's. They are both here on this page
http://www.gefracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=G&Category_Code=WHEELS

They are both pretty decent wheels...and not a bad price either.

 

[Hartman]

I've seen a few Rangers with the FR500s.

 

[Joe_R]

Are people putting street tires on these or all terrain tires?
I need to keep all terrain tires on because it's my wife's Explorer but I like the Cobra rims. Are they too soft compared to the stock explorer wheels?

 

[the_tool_man]

Hi Cdexplorer:

I don't know for sure if those wheels will fit. I have seen many pictures of Explorers with 1995 Cobra R wheels, which are 17x9 with 5.98" backspacing. However, the wheels you are asking about have 6.12" backspacing. The extra 0.14" might or might not be enough to cause rubbing. I suspect they probably fit just fine, but I wouldn't buy a set based on that unless you're willing to use spacers if they don't fit. If anybody knows for sure, I'd like to find out, too.

PS. I've asked about 2003 Cobra wheels, which also have 6.12" backspacing, and Hartman seemed to think they would fit, so there's another opinion. Again, I've not seen pics from anybody who actually put those wheels on.

Regards,
John.

 

[the_tool_man]

Hi again:

I just found a new reply to my 2003 Cobra wheel thread, which seems to indicate that they rub at full droop, and the hub bore is too small. Go here:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106386

While the wheels could be bored out a little to clear the hub, I would have a problem with the tires rubbing at full droop. I guess you'd have to run spacers. I recommend H&R billet aluminum hubcentric spacers.

Regards,
John.