Smallest Rim Size for Explorer

[Plthomas]

I was curious what the smallest rim size would be and still have adaquate clearance around the brakes. The ones i like are 16 inch wheels.

Thank you.

 

[CDW6212R]

For most Fords the wheels need to be about 3.25" or larger(you round up not down) than the largest rotor on the vehicle.

The early Cobra Mustangs had right at 13" rotors, so they required 17" wheels.

Most Fords could take a one size smaller wheel if the rotors were a 1/4" smaller size, typically. Ford likes to make them(rotors) near an inch size, like 12.90", or close to 11" as on early Explorers.

I chose 12.75" rotors specifically so that I could still use 16" wheels, as I have didicated snow tires on spare 16's.

Note that OEM Sport Trac wheels have just a little less room on the backside of them. I could not fit the set I had on my bigger front brakes, my first set of snow tires/wheels. I sold those OEM 16's and bought the OEM 99-01 Limited wheels. Those fit fine on 12.75" rotors.

So find the actual specs of your front rotors, the diameter. Most likely they are under 12.75", and the wheels you want to use should work.

 

[peterk9]

I was curious what the smallest rim size would be and still have adaquate clearance around the brakes. The ones i like are 16 inch wheels.

Thank you.

Welcome to the Forum.
The answer really depends on when your XLT was built. Brake sizes were upgraded part way through the 2013 model year production. If it was an early build you could probably get away with 17". Otherwise 18" would be the best choice.

Peter

 

[Plthomas]

I am new to Explorers, (Just got it yesterday) so sorry if these questions are redundant. Am i able to tell the date of manufacture from the vin? or is there another tag/sticker somewhere on the vehicle that can give me that information?

Reason i am asking this is i would like to get a nice pair of All Terrain tires for it and i can only find one option for the stock 245/60r18 size, i would prefer to stay as close as to the overall stock size as possible (so i dont throw off the speedometer or other equipment) so i was thinking something in a 16 inch rim size or maybe the 245/65R17 or 265/60R17's

 

[peterk9]

I am new to Explorers, (Just got it yesterday) so sorry if these questions are redundant. Am i able to tell the date of manufacture from the vin? or is there another tag/sticker somewhere on the vehicle that can give me that information?

Reason i am asking this is i would like to get a nice pair of All Terrain tires for it and i can only find one option for the stock 245/60r18 size, i would prefer to stay as close as to the overall stock size as possible (so i dont throw off the speedometer or other equipment) so i was thinking something in a 16 inch rim size or maybe the 245/65R17 or 265/60R17's

The only place I know of that has the actual build date is the Window Sticker. At one time there were sites that allowed you to enter the VIN in order to pull up the 'Sticker' but they don't appear to be working any longer. What size do you have on there now?
I had a 2011 Explorer with 20" OEM wheels and I was able to use 17" for Winter wheels. I don't think 16" will work.

Peter

 

[Plthomas]

it has 245/60R18 on it currently. I do have the window sticker in the Glove box, i will check that when i get a chance, but it sounds like 17s should be okay. Does anyone know of any 245/60R18 All terrains? only ones i found were Yokohama Geolanders. I was hoping to find some BF Goodrich KO TA2's/General Grabber AT2's or something similar.

 

[peterk9]

it has 245/60R18 on it currently. I do have the window sticker in the Glove box, i will check that when i get a chance, but it sounds like 17s should be okay. Does anyone know of any 245/60R18 All terrains? only ones i found were Yokohama Geolanders. I was hoping to find some BF Goodrich KO TA2's/General Grabber AT2's or something similar.

The date you're looking for is in the bottom right of the 'Sticker". It requires a little deciphering but that should be fairly easy.

Peter

 

[CDW6212R]

That 245/60R18 stock size is 29.5" tall. The 245/65R17 and 265/60R17 sizes are also 29.5" in diameter.

The VIN tag on the door or door jamb will have the manufactured date(month and year) for any Ford.

Stock sizes for early Explorers were 29" or 30", depending on whether the wheels were 15's or 16's. In those cases all speedometers were made to be most accurate with 30" tires. I've owned several of those Explorers with several different tire sizes ranging from 29 to 30.5" tall. The 30" size has always been the most accurate(the speedometers are all the same calibration, regardless of the original wheels). So Ford didn't make various calibrations for the many OEM tire sizes.

I do not know what the most accurate tire diameter is for models past the 2nd generation Explorers. But I'm sure someone here can say what the ideal diameter is for your truck.


What matters most is the total weight of the tire and wheel, the tire diameter, and the tread width. Lots of people go wild with sizes, and most will work. Try to keep the weight down below 60lbs total. Wider tires use more gas too. 255mm tires are a good common section width.

Measure your front rotors, that will determine the minimum wheel diameter.

 

[reserved50]

I have 20" wheels that wont clear. The spoke design touches the calipers, need to test fit before buying.

 

[CDW6212R]

I have 20" wheels that wont clear. The spoke design touches the calipers, need to test fit before buying.

Good point, I spoke about clearance to the outer rim of wheels. The aftermarket will often have the hub area made with a different amount of clearance, some more and some less. The 18's I have are closer to the calipers to the outer side than OEM wheels.

So you do have to watch the clearance to both the outer rim diameter, and the hub "thickness" dimensions. Test fitting and measuring for each wheel are your best methods.

 

[reserved50]

It never even crossed my mind when I bought them, they fit on the Explorers with the smaller brakes but not with the larger vented hub rotors. The design I bought has spokes that curve inwards towards the top.

Good point, I spoke about clearance to the outer rim of wheels. The aftermarket will often have the hub area made with a different amount of clearance, some more and some less. The 18's I have are closer to the calipers to the outer side than OEM wheels.

So you do have to watch the clearance to both the outer rim diameter, and the hub "thickness" dimensions. Test fitting and measuring for each wheel are your best methods.

 

[slamm dunc]

Hi All,

First time posting here! I have just bought a new to me '14 sport and have some snows mounted on 16" rims form a previous ex. Dos anyone know if this will provide enough clearance around the brakes?

Not concerned about the width as the snows are narrower than the stock tires.

Any input would be appreciated.

J

 

[peterk9]

Hi All,

First time posting here! I have just bought a new to me '14 sport and have some snows mounted on 16" rims form a previous ex. Dos anyone know if this will provide enough clearance around the brakes?

Not concerned about the width as the snows are narrower than the stock tires.

Any input would be appreciated.

J

Welcome to the Forum.
I'm afraid you're out of luck. The smallest I would suggest that you go with is an 18" wheel.

Peter

 

[slamm dunc]

Thanks Peter! Thats what i had figured but wanted to double check before i try to sell the winters. Thanks for the input.

Looking forward to the new to me sport!

 

[97towncar]

Wheel and mud tires size

Hello everbody,

Looking to put smaller wheels and aggressive tires on a 2016 sport. Not looking to add, lift, spacers, etc. Can someone point me in the right direction of a rim / tire size while keeping everything else stock?

Thanks in advance.

 

[peterk9]

The smallest you can go is an 18" wheel because of the brake size. A 235/65R18 tire is an exact match for the stock 255/50R20.
Using the handy 'Search' feature I found these threads; All Terrain 18" Tires and Best all terrain tires for 2011 ford explorer limited

Peter

 

[CDW6212R]

The smallest you can go is an 18" wheel because of the brake size. A 235/65R18 tire is an exact match for the stock 255/50R20.
Using the handy 'Search' feature I found these threads; All Terrain 18" Tires and Best all terrain tires for 2011 ford explorer limited

Peter

Try a wider tire than a 235mm narrow tire. A 255/60/18 is the same diameter as the 235/65 tire. Why not a 275/55/18 if there is room inboard for such a wider tire? It's also the same diameter. What diameter are the big later Sport rotors, the actual size? I think below a 13.75" size, some 17's should fit. I have 16" wheels over my 12.75" rotors, 12.9" rotors barely cleared my OEM 16's.

 

[peterk9]

Hi Don. I mentioned the 235 size because I knew it was a perfect match since that is what my new set on Winters will be if I ever have to replace my current ones. You are correct that the 255/6oR18 are also an exact match to the OEM 255/50R20. A 275 is slightly off (-0.4%) which isn't a problem but a wider tire isn't always desirable. It can lead to more hydroplaning and will also not perform as well as a narrower tire in snow and slush if used year round. It will also create more rolling resistance. Not sure what the actual size of the Sport brake is but it is the same as the brakes on other post 2013 Explorer models.

Peter

 

[Jon M]

Try a wider tire than a 235mm narrow tire. A 255/60/18 is the same diameter as the 235/65 tire. Why not a 275/55/18 if there is room inboard for such a wider tire? It's also the same diameter. What diameter are the big later Sport rotors, the actual size? I think below a 13.75" size, some 17's should fit. I have 16" wheels over my 12.75" rotors, 12.9" rotors barely cleared my OEM 16's.

Ford specifies 18" on the bigger brakes, 17" on the smaller. The brakes fill my 18" wheels pretty well. Front rotors are 13.9, rear are 13.6.

245/60 is the OEM 18"

 

[CDW6212R]

Ford specifies 18" on the bigger brakes, 17" on the smaller. The brakes fill my 18" wheels pretty well. Front rotors are 13.9, rear are 13.6.

245/60 is the OEM 18"

If the rotors are 13.9", then it's barely possible some 17" wheel may fit, but that size is at the limit. Calipers differ in outside dimensions, so testing is the only way to find out when the size you want is that close. Any 18" wheel will fit those, there's likely right at 1/2" of clearance. Each wheel size cuts 1/2" of that, so a 17 would be close. OEM wheels are often forged, and have more clearance for the calipers. So expect cheap aftermarket wheels to have less clearance.