Problems with 2002 wheels on a 1996??

[sk1er17]

We put a set of stock wheels from a 2002 explorer onto my brothers 1996 explorer.

He came to work today for an oil change and I noticed that the inside edge of both his front wheels are ground down excessively. They're actually grinding on the lower control arms during sharp turns.

Did Ford change the offset after 2001? (maybe because they went from torsion bars to coil springs up front?)

 

[rwenzing]

Did Ford change the offset after 2001? (maybe because they went from torsion bars to coil springs up front?)

Explorer wheel offset went from +12mm to +44 mm in 2002. That pulls the centerline of each tire/wheel inward about 1 1/4".

 

[sk1er17]

doh!

that's what i figured. thanks for the confirmation.

now i gotta find him another set of wheels

 

[iceman7329]

Wow glad I saw this, I put 06 wheels on my 96 today and noticed the offset was way different. I had to mod the drivers side brake cable because it was rubbing. I need to check the front better to make sure. The center caps wont fit on the front either so I need a 1/2" spacer all the way around.

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

Explorer wheel offset went from +12mm to +44 mm in 2002. That pulls the centerline of each tire/wheel inward about 1 1/4".

wow thats good info to know

should help others in the future

 

[iceman7329]

My drivers side rubs the control arm at full lock to the left and also the passenger side tire hits the sway bar at the same time. No rubbing at full lock to the right tho.

But a 1/2" spacer and longer wheel studs will take care of that problem and let you run these wheels.

 

[sk1er17]

Wheel spacers are not safe in my opinion. I'd rather buy a new set of wheels.

And even if I did want to put them on, they're illegal in NJ... so the cost of getting caught with them is far greater than the price of another set of wheels.

 

[iceman7329]

Wheel spacers are not safe in my opinion. I'd rather buy a new set of wheels.

And even if I did want to put them on, they're illegal in NJ... so the cost of getting caught with them is far greater than the price of another set of wheels.

They will be fine on a lowered street truck IMO. I dont like the ones that bolt to the hub and have new studs for the wheel to go on, Ive seen those break. Never seen one that goes over the studs have any problem.

And I cant find any other wheels I like anyways, Im picky.

 

[rd_turbo]

Ive seen those break

I'm considering buying a set of the type you're describing. You mentiond you've seen them break, did the spacer break or were the studs substandard on them? Was the application more severe than usual? I can't imagine they would be weaker than a cast rim being sandwiched by stock lugnuts in the first place...but I don't want any problems if I choose to use them

 

[toypaseo]

Although I am not a fan of spacers, these are one I would consider. Hubcentric.

I also have seen snapped bolts from wheels not being hubcentric.