Rims from 95 Explorer 4wd EB onto 2002 Explorer 4wd EB

[Larry_NM]

I'm migrating from a 1995 Explorer 4WD EB edition to a 2002 Explorer 4WD EB edition. I have 2 sets of rims and tires for the '95 explorer. It would be easiest to take the rims and tires from the '95 explorer and use them on the '02 explorer. The rims btwn the '95 and '02 are the same size, as are the tires, but the depth at which the rim fits onto the rotors is different. That is, measuring the depth from the edge of the rim to the lug hole on the 'outside' of the rim (as the rim is mounted on the vehicle) is 3" on the '95 rim and 2" on the '02 rim. The depth from the edge of the rim to the lug hole on the inside of the rim is 4-1/2" on the '95 and 5-1/4" for the '02. Does anyone know if a stock rim from a '95 explorer will fit onto a '02 explorer and have no clearance issues? Or did I just answer my own question based upon the measurements provided?

 

[Donystoy]

Looks like the rims from the 95 would stick out only 3/4" more. I would be tempted to just install them and see if there is any rubbing issues when turning. Make sure to spin them after installing in case there is a clearance issue with the calipers etc. due to rim design.

 

[Larry_NM]

Looks like the rims from the 95 would stick out only 3/4" more. I would be tempted to just install them and see if there is any rubbing issues when turning. Make sure to spin them after installing in case there is a clearance issue with the calipers etc. due to rim design.

Thank you, Donystoy. Looks like I made a typo. The 5-1/4" should be 5-3/4". Like you say, best way to test is install the ones from the '95 and see if they'll work.

 

[DFOFF]

Remember when you put them on and spin them, jack up the lower control arm so the suspension is loaded otherwise you will have different clearances then when it is actually sitting on the ground when you can't spin the wheels. That being said, you shouldn't have any issues because you have more clearance behind the wheel with the 95 than the 02 and that is where you are generally going to have issues with different rims.

 

[Gmctyphoon]

I’d bet your closest clearance issues will be the rear tierod. Also if the 02 is 4x4 all four of the tires have to match in tread thickness. It is much different than your 95.

 

[Larry_NM]

Thank you very much, Gmctyphoon. The '02 is a 4x4 and I'll pay particular attention to the rear tie rod. As far as tires, all 4 tires are matched for each set. I assume you don't mean that tread thickness has to match between the 2 sets of tires.

 

[Gmctyphoon]

Right, just the 4 tires actually on the truck.

 

[drdoom]

One of the local hookers has the same setup, I didn't know they were interchangeable but I see that truck go by nearly every day. And yes the offset is different, that's what caught my eye.