Wheel Information for 2002+ Explorers

[group3e11]

Hello Explorer owners:

I have read a lot of posts in SE about wheel and tire combinations for 02' and up Explorers so I thought I would pass on some information I have gathered from various sources in print and on the internet.

Hub diameter: 2.78" or 70.6mm.
OE wheel backspace, (16X7 wheels): 5.75"
OE wheel offset: 44MM
Wheel lug battern: 5X4.5 or 5X114.3mm

My 2003 XLT 4X4 came equipped with wheels as described above with Michelin CrossTerrain tires in size P235/70R-16 105S.

I run REAL Winter tires up here in Mass., (Michelin Artic Alpin 4X4's) so I am presently in the market for a set of 17 or 18 inch wheesl to run during the warm weather months. The source I trus most is TireRack and they recommend P255/55R-18's if you decide to go with 18 inch wheels.

Regarding wheels: it is very difficult to find a "hub-centric" wheel, (a hub bore that matches the OD of the wheel hub EXACTLY without the use of hub centric rings). The only hub centric wheels I have found are made of billet aluminum and are made to order. I got a price for four Boyd Coddington wheels in size 18X8 and they run about $1700 for four. Beautiful, strong wheels but they don't come cheap. The rep at TireRack I spoke too said it was almost impossible to find a cast aluminum, clear coated wheel that is hub centric to fit my Explorer. They include the centering rings with the wheels they sell.

Hope this information is of use.
Steve Mello



bichonboys@comcast.net

 

[looneybomber]

Thanx for the info. I too am looking for a bigger, yet lightweight wheel for my '02 sport. I have concluded that I am just going to have to get a Ford OEM 17" off another explorer.

 

[WidgetTrac]

What about 17" Mustang wheels?

many of the 8" width styles are plentiful (cheap), and there are also the 9" width cobra types. The Mustang offset should fit great on the X... I think they are all right around 6" backspace, so unless the stock wheels&tires have less than 1/4" clearance to spare on the back side, they should fit perfectly- just a bit wider stance than stock.

 

[fordlady]

Steve - thanks for that info. I have a 2010 with 235/65R18 tires that are bald. I've found there is very little selection in that size so I have considered going to a 17" tire but not sure what wheel will fit. I went to one tire store and they said a wheel with 40mm offset would fit. Another store told me it had to be between 26 & 30 mm offset and 40mm would not work. So I am really confused. I want to keep as close to stock as possible as I don't want to void my warranty.

 

[5O4U2NV]

So has anyone tried the 17" mustang wheels yet? I can't find a reason they won't work

 

[FF00RD]

does anyone know if a set of 20x9.5 with 40p offset 5-114.3 stud pattern fit?

 

[Riverrunner]

Thanks for info.

I'm looking for 16 or 17" rims for mine. 16x8's most likely. Are any of the steel wheels like the Cragar soft 8's hub centric? I really don't want to use spacers and would like to get a wheel that will push the tire out just a bit so I have plenty of room to clear 265/70's or 75's. I think a 16x8 with 4.5" of backspacing and -6 offest will work but I can't seem to nail that down exactly from all of the searches I've done on here.

 

[Ronin8002]

Thanks for info.

I'm looking for 16 or 17" rims for mine. 16x8's most likely. Are any of the steel wheels like the Cragar soft 8's hub centric? I really don't want to use spacers and would like to get a wheel that will push the tire out just a bit so I have plenty of room to clear 265/70's or 75's. I think a 16x8 with 4.5" of backspacing and -6 offest will work but I can't seem to nail that down exactly from all of the searches I've done on here.

I used to run Helo Maxx 8's on my 2004, 16x8 size. They weren't hubcentric but were very close to the factory hub size and I never had issues. As I understand it unless you get custom made wheels, most of them won't be hubcentric.

If you get a wheel with 0 offet 4.5" backspace they'll stick out 1.25" further than stock.

 

[Riverrunner]

I used to run Helo Maxx 8's on my 2004, 16x8 size. They weren't hubcentric but were very close to the factory hub size and I never had issues. As I understand it unless you get custom made wheels, most of them won't be hubcentric.

If you get a wheel with 0 offet 4.5" backspace they'll stick out 1.25" further than stock.

That's what I've been trying to get a handle on.... Wasn't sure how much they would actually stick out. Sounds like 0 will work as well. Now I can feel like I can do a little shopping. Thank you.

 

[Ronin8002]

That's what I've been trying to get a handle on.... Wasn't sure how much they would actually stick out. Sounds like 0 will work as well. Now I can feel like I can do a little shopping. Thank you.

no problem main thing to remember when using a wheel with a larger than stock hub bore is tighten the wheel lug nuts down in a star shaped pattern with the wheel jacked up off the ground...this will help make sure that the lug nuts pull the wheel to the center. You can do your final torquing with the tire just touching the ground to keep the wheel from spinning.