Anyone using spare/steel wheels all around ?

[ceruleanpete]

Hola Amigos. Was wondering if anyone on here had run factory steel (spare) wheels all around on an Explorer. Sounds dumb I realize, especially considering how cheap some of the aftermarket stuff is. But I've seen that you can get these "8 hole factory" wheels (that serve as the spare on my 2000) for like 20 - 25 bucks a piece. If you have a cheap sandblast/powdercoat setup or guy to finish them, might not be so bad. They'd look good in matte black.

http://www.originalwheels.com/ford-wheels/images/ford-explorer-wheels-3070.jpg


I've got a 2000 XLT 4WD and have decided to get away from the stock wheels and put some oversized rubber on. I swear I searched the forums for like two days looking for this topic, but I'm new so go easy on the venom if I'm looking in the wrong places. Plenty of great wheels to look at , but it would almost seem unique to do this. Or retarded. I like the look of the plain wheel on the truck right now (due to a recent flat). Hence, the wheels (in my brain) started turning. Sorry if this was covered elsewhere. If anyone can share stories or photos, that would be great. Could there be any strength issues on these plain steelies ? Thanks, Pete

 

[Varsity]

Interesting... I know what you mean though, since I kinda like em myself in an odd way. As far as strength or anything, I doubt there would be a problem since I believe I've seen base model rangers run them all around before and don't cop cars run cheap steelies too? Post pics somewhere if you do this because now I'm curious.

 

[koda2000]

there would be no issues with doing this if you prefer the look. it's a pretty good looking wheel for steel.

 

[Jstcruz]

I had 3 steelies on my 99 before I took it apart. Unfortunatly, no pics But it didnt look bad. I didnt paint them or anything because I just needed something to move it around the yard.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Could be worse. Lots of cheap 5 x 4.5 jeep wheels floating around...

 

[ceruleanpete]

response

thanks for the replies. I'll post a pic up tomorrow re: the steel wheel. I'm going to dig up a set of 4, blast em, powdercoat in flat black, and put new rubber on. I'll post something to show the finished product too. Thanks Pete

 

[Jstcruz]

I have 2 or 3 if your interested - if you are in the north Florida area

 

[AlexSport'00]

Odd, my spare on my 2000 was the exact same as my other rims, except no chrome plastic thingy on it, just a silvery/grey steel I think.

 

[ceruleanpete]

Mission Accomplished (Steelies)

What do you guys think ? I think they came out pretty good. I decided against the TT/Shackles lift for now, b/c I didn't want to go with bigger tires just yet. Junkyard picking in West Texas is a blast. They don't have junkyards like that anymore in NY (where I'm from). Its like the "old days." $20 to $25 each for the three other wheels, then blast and powdercoated in "break black" which is a textured, flat black color. BFGs A/T KOs in the standard 235 75 15 size.

 

[ceruleanpete]

http://flic.kr/p/dooF1w

http://flic.kr/p/dooEPu

 

[Jstcruz]

That looks pretty decent. You should get some center caps and paint them gloss black, or a satin nickle - something different

 

[koda2000]

looks purposeful. i like it. you could get them powder coated hi gloss black. how do you think that would look?

 

[Varsity]

I like it alot!!!! I think some type of centercaps may finish off the look, but it's really all up to you. I might keep this in mind when i need new tires because the rims I have are in pretty bad shape. I painted em black so it looks 1000x better, but now you made me curious.

A+ in my book!

 

[UtahX]

Not bad.