Saleen or Cobra wheels?

[YetiX]

I'm trying to decide whether to get the Saleen wheels in white powdercoat or the Cobra wheels. The Saleens would be a bit more expensive.

What do y'all think?

 

[98greyxlt]

love my cobras, though the saleen wheels are nice too... what color is your X? do you have any pictures of your drop? i'd say if your X is white, go with the saleen wheels.

i know you had trouble getting those lowering blocks to fit, how did that eventually work out for ya?

 

[YetiX]

Hey Logan,

Yeah I did have some problems getting the blocks to line up. Solved it by using two jacks. I put my 2 1/2 ton jack under the diff (being careful not to contact the cover) and the little can jack that comes with the X under the "nose" of the diff. This kept it level and let me slide it forward and back an inch or so as needed.

It's now lowered approx 1 1/2" and with the sway bars and shocks it handles awesome!! I bought my wife a grey '98 X like yours this weekend and I'm going to lower it next weekend.

I've got some pictures of my X but I'm not sure how to get them on this site. I think once I get the new wheels I'll set up a page at cardomain.com like you did.

My X is white and I'm in the process of painting the chrome white. The only thing holding me back from the Saleen wheels is that they're like $50 more per wheel. Just can't decide if the white wheels are worth it or not.

Any other opinions?

 

[tbomb]

scott,

ill give you the answer i gave you in the email, so everyone else can react to it.

1) personally, i think theyll look better.

2) youre getting a great deal on some very expensive, very high quality wheels.

3) everyone has cobra r's, but no one has the saleens on their X (with the exception of a handful.)

4) your truck is lowered a bit; its a sport truck; the 18" saleens are gonna fill out the wheels well more than a 17" cobra r.

5) THEYRE SALEENS! theyre just great wheels.

so, i say go for the saleens, but make sure you do your research about the powdercoating and fitting and all that crap. dont learn the hard way; learn from my mistakes, heh also, i just saw a new thread from rogue about powdercoating - he said to get a hard copy of the estimate first, cuz he ended up paying twice as much for the powdercoating in the end - dont get ripped off.

good luck

 

[FrankRizzo]

Lemme throw some stuff in here.....

At the Saleen sidewalk sale last month, my buddy bought a set of 4 18x8.5 saleen "explorer" wheels for his mustang. $75 each, used, mint. (They are gold though).
In picking the pea-brain of the parts manager, he revealed that the mustang and explorer wheels (of the same size) are the same. no difference - his words, not mine. He also revealed that they have had a chronic problem with the wheels craking where the spoke meets the rim on explorers because of the hefty weight of explorers. (Nice to know they just kept slapping new rims on under warranty....).
Also, I can definitely say the wheels are not powercoated from Saleen. They are painted and clearcoated, like body parts.

Don't kill the messenger here, I'm just repeating what I was told and saw.

Finally, let me take this opportunity (again) to tell everyone that Saleen customer service bites HARD. They are very arrogant, overpriced and understaffed with limited knowlege "parts pickers". It is really unfortunate that this is one of the few places to get quasi-performance parts for exp's. They are backing out of the explorer market, and it's hard to say they will be missed.

 

[YetiX]

Hmmn . . . After getting tbomb's e-mail I was allfired up to get the Saleens. Now I'm not sure. I personally have had no problems with Saleen. Also the Cobras aren't designed to support an X's weight either but I've never heard any problems. The powdercoating will be done by a friends company so that's not an issue. Because I'm bartering (in part) for the wheels cost is not an issue really. I just have to pay for the powdercoating if I get the Saleens.

Anyone else want to chime in? Please.

 

[anthony de gazo]

Correct me if am wrong but cobra r wheels have a different offset than x's, which is why you must use spacers on an x. Saleen wheels for an x are a direct fit .So what gives with the info that Frank got from a saleen empolyee?

 

[YetiX]

I'm not sure. I haven't heard anything about Saleen wheels cracking. In fact I've only heard good things. Anyone else heard anything about this?

I'm going to start a new thread about this because I'm now a bit concerned and want to focus on this. I'm leaning towards the Saleens and want to see what anyone else has heard.

 

[65Matt]

I am sure that the stress of a 3500 lb. Mustang Convertible at the dragstrip is more than a moderately performing 4200 lb. Explorer. Sounds like a problem with the wheels.

 

[YetiX]

I agree, which is why I'm skeptical about Saleen wheels cracking. Has anyone ACTUALLY heard that Saleen wheels crack?

 

[tbomb]

nope, i never heard that either. my roommate is a HARDCORE mustang guy, and i just asked him, and he said he has never heard of anything like that, though i know its different with explorers. also, based on franks description of saleen's less than knowledgeable staff, why would anyone listen to them about the wheels cracking?...i mean, im sure that since the guy works for saleen, he's seen the cracked wheels come back, right?...who knows.

 

[FrankRizzo]

Again, Don't kill the messenger.
The way it was explained was,
The Saleen wheels have spokes that have a fairly large recessed area on the backside to keep the unsprung weight down

The R's have solid spokes.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by YetiX
My X is white and I'm in the process of painting the chrome white.

Would you please explain the bumper paint process that you are using?

Thanks....

 

[YetiX]

Hey Al,

I got this stuff called Etching Primer which actually chemically bonds to the chrome. I can't remember who makes it off hand but if you want to know e-mail me and I'll look at the can when I get home. Basically I just prime it with the etching primer, paint it white (2 or 3 coats with wet sanding in between if necessary) and then 2 or 3 coats of clear coat to seal it.

If you've tried to paint chrome before you know that the paint chips/flakes off really easily. The etching primer prevents that from happening.

Hope that helps,

YetiX

 

[YetiX]

GOT THE INFO FROM SALEEN

I took tbomb's advice (again) and simply called Saleen. Here's what they told me.

They HAVE had problems with wheels cracking on Explorers because people are using the wrong wheels.

The wheels that are OK to use on an Explorer say "Saleen" right next to the valve stem and "Speedline" directly across from that. Also, they must have the thick flange at the hub mounting point.

If the wheel does not have Speedline stamped on it across from the valve stem and has a flat back, DO NOT USE IT ON AN EXPLORER.

This is straight from Saleen. The guy, who was very helpful, patient and honest by the way, said they are coming out with new wheels especially designed for the Explorer in the next month or so!!

Now I've gotta go check out the wheels I might be buying to see if they're ok. If not, maybe I'll powdercoat a set of Cobra Rs!!

 

[FrankRizzo]

Glad I could help.

I felt the ganging up process starting against me........

 

[YetiX]

Much appreciated.

I know I like Saleen stuff, it seems to work well. By nature I distrust info until I can verify it. That's why I like this site. Usually if I ask a question I get a variety of answers. Then I can sift through them and get the info I need! Worked like a charm this time.

Now if I could only get ahold (again) of the guy that's selling the Saleens to see if they are the right kind.

 

[anthony de gazo]

YETIX ,I just read your thread about what saleen said and have a question. My wheels say saleen by the valve stem and haxe a thick flange at the mounting area but no speedline .Does that mean my wheels will crack ?

 

[Bill Kemp]

Ya, maby, probably will..If you want to save yourself the hassell of having a broken wheel just send them to me and I'll suffer for you.
Just trying to help.

 

[YetiX]

I dunno Bill, that's quite a hit you're willing to take for Anthony. You must be quite a guy!!

Anthony, I don't know , but when I was talking to the guy at Saleen he said that the Explorer wheels have the same offset as the rear Mustang wheels which leads me to believe that you may have four rear Mustang wheels. He did specifically say they should say "Speedline" 180 degrees from the valve-stem.

I'd call Saleen and ask them. Good luck.

BTW, did you buy 'em from Saleen? If you did and you told 'em they were for an X, I'd be surprised if they sold you improper wheels.