COBRA wheels on my Explorer ?!?!

[RickE46M3]

Alright I have a 1999 Charcole Grey Explorer XLT 4wd. I have black tail light covers, 20% tint all around, I am adding a billet grill, push bar and installing my Alpine CDA-9851 deck, MRP-M350 mono block amp, and Type R' 10' sub... I need something else, I do not want to do the 20' chrome thing but I had another idea... Cobra rims in chrome, gunmetal or black... on my Explorer. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-9...ewItemQQcategoryZ43958QQitemZ8019264994QQrdZ1

I have 235/75/15 BFG Long Trails on there right now with stock rims, they have about 80% left on them, I figured I could sell them for whatever I could get and get a set of Cobra wheels, and tires. I do not want low pro tires however, I would like to have BFG or Goodyears that are meaty enough to cover me for all 4 seasons but still have a 17 or 18' Cobra wheel... Sizing is key and I NEED help with that, I want enough of a gap to accomidate the rim and tire so it won't rub and scrape, the suspension can function free but still have enough tire to cover me for all 4 seasons, even with a 17-18' wheel... Has anyone done this before? The rims are cheap but I do not know what width to look for, what will or will NOT fit... I need help on this project because I am determined to pull it off, I am crazy about those gunmetal Cobras especially with my grey explorer and all the other black I will have with it... how would chrome look?

 

[Turdle]

Cobra replicas 17x9 with 275 60r 17 are on my lowered mounty

 

[Fish Man]

this has been done much more than you think, which is good news for you so now you dont have to go through all the trouble of figuring out what you need, just look around!

 

[RickE46M3]

jtsmith, do you have any pictures of it? I am sure if I saw them I could just use your tire size specs for my project. I just wonder is a 9' width too much? I don't want the wheels to be sticking out too much. How much do you think I could get for stock XLT rims with BFG long trails (80% wear left all around).

 

[Turdle]

here you go

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/vbgarage.php?do=view&id=17822
They don't extend beyond fender, but fronts are almost even with fender, Rears are just inside . No tire rubbing experienced yet ( my inner fender wells are in my garage. I just prefer it like that ( easier th change plugs, tighten header bolts etc)
There are a few things I had to do to get them to fit 2 1/2 years ago, but if memory serves me I had to relocate the emergency brake cable, and the upper control arm clearance in front had to be delt with
( grinder)
Do NOT use spacers to get clearance. They suck and are unsafe IMO
( pleas guys don't flame about spacers and stay on track)

 

[ExplorerDMB]

That is O.E. wheels (moore91 or whatever). I would not order from them. I had a horrible expierence with them. They put up for auction somethign they didnot have in stock and then said it would be a few weeks until they are in stock. Ended up being overa month and they had "no idea" when they were coming in. So they refunded my money

-Drew