need alternative to 18 inch rims for snows

[FrankWhite]

2009 Explorer LT - I have 235/65R18 all season and looking to have a set of rims w/ snows. 18 inch rims are a no go. Use are over $100 each where I can find them and the snows are $140+ each. Has anyone switched to a smaller rim/tire and dealt with the whatever mods need to be made to the trans/speedo etc?

Thanks. New to forum.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
First off I have to say that I don't have any real knowledge of the 2009 Explorer. I do know that you do not always have to make any adjustments to the trans/speedo etc if you get the right combination of wheel and tire. I had a 2014 Lincoln with 255/45R20 OEM tires. I went to an 18" wheel and used 235/60R18 Winter tires and the overall diameter variance was only 0.23% which made very little different to the speedometer. The accepted maximum diameter variance is 3%.
If you go with a 17" wheel, a 245/70R17 will have a 1.6% diameter variance (60mph = 60.95mph) and a 245/65R17 will be -1.6% (60mph = 59.02mph).
Here is a handy site that you can use; https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=235-65r18-245-70r17
The factor that limits the size you can go down to would be the size of the brakes.
I am now using those same Winter wheels on my 2017 Explorer that had 20" OEM wheels and the variance is slightly over 3% (-3.1%) but I've had no problems.
As for the rims, $100 seems very reasonable from what I've read in the 5th generation forum. I bought 18" OEM steel Interceptor wheels from the dealer for $88 (CDN) 3 years ago. I think the cost for those same wheels in the States was at least 3 times that.
Good luck.

Peter

 

[MNgopher]

Believe you can go down to a 16" rim on this generation - at least that's what I use for my snows.

Work with your tire sizes and the smaller rim to get close to the OEM size and no modifications or changes are needed (other than programming the TPMS).

In my case, my stock tires are P245/65/17 (30" diameter). My snows are a P245/70/16 (30" diameter). Effectively, there is no difference.

Watch the overall tire diameter, regardless of wheel size, and match closely - should be no issues.

 

[RCWestcott]

Check tirerack.com or costco.com for valid fitment options. 235/70R16 seems to be your best bet but you can see what differences it will make on the Tacoma calculator Peter provided above. I've always seen going narrower for winters to be recommended.

 

[ascmclarencoupe]

2009 Explorer LT - I have 235/65R18 all season and looking to have a set of rims w/ snows. 18 inch rims are a no go. Use are over $100 each where I can find them and the snows are $140+ each. Has anyone switched to a smaller rim/tire and dealt with the whatever mods need to be made to the trans/speedo etc?

Thanks. New to forum.

Hi Frank,

I have a 2007 Mountaineer with the same size tire and I run 245/65R17 winter tires on a set of OE 17" Mountaineer wheels. I don't have TPMS sensors in the winter set so I do have to contend with the reminder on the on the dash, but other than that there is no noticeable change in the speedo or any drivability issues.