I'm about to spend 150 bucks on some 93 Thunderbird Rims with brand new tires on them from a friend and I was wondering if the bolt pattern are the same? it looks the same but i dont want to hassle with paying him taking them off and trying them on before i know they will fit, I did before with a dodge that looked like they would fit and the pattern was slightly smaller and I was out 100 bucks does anyone know if these 93 Thunderbird rims will or wont fit my 89 Aerostar?

 

T-bird wheels are 108mm and Aerostar is 114.3mm.

 

They probably will, but your chances of a correct fit are better with Explorer or Ranger rims. Aim for rims from the mid 90's, a lot of the rims prior to that can have different lug spacing, and may have a different sized hub. You also need the correct offset. I know that 1996 and later Explorer rims fit great.

 

do you think that i could find some good ones at a salvage rather than purchasing new?

 

The T-bird rims won't fit your Aerostar. Different bolt pattern.

Salvage yard rims should be fine. Look for Explorer/Ranger rims.

 

will do thanks for the advice =}

 

I thought my post stating the bolt patterns are different was clear, obviously not. I sell wheels and tires for a living. THOSE T-BIRD WHEELS WILL NOT FIT AN AEROSTAR.

 

I'm looking for a set of 4 1997 oem 14" Aerostar wheels with caps at a very reasonable price if you have them. I've seen them selling for $110.00 each wheel without caps and that is not reasonable.

I would also consider 15" wheels as long as the new tire size matches the original 14" size so that the speedometer is not affected. (did I explain that correctly?). I think 15" wheels would look nice.

Thank you for any tips.

 

Same here. My '97 XLT came with steel wheels & plastic wheel covers, which I ditched by swapping with my '93 alloys. I have a set of studded snows on a spare set of steelies.

I'd really like a set of '96-97 alloys, though. But they weren't all that plentiful in the PNW, and here in the Denver area there is only about 1/4 the Aero parts available that I'm used to out on the Left Coast. And the alloys I do see are pretty corroded

1996-97 Alloy wheel examples:



That van above has the no-logo caps I'd prefer.
For the '93 alloys that I bought from a JY several years ago, I could not find decent caps, so I finally bought a set of four new from the Ford obsolete parts place, for $40 each. I was trying to find the ones without the Ford oval on them


but even armed with a part number, no luck. There are at least two different diameters of this cap, and I have a set without the Ford oval like this, but they're too large (T-bird?). Couldn't find a set for the Aero alloys, so I settled for ones that fit and look good, but with the Ford logo.

 

Jose, I have a set of OEM Aerostar caps in good condition, though a little repainting can't hurt. No broken tabs or anything, they are in good shape. I also have a set of Ford Fairlane 14" hubcaps I ran on my '94 Aerostar for years.

Or are you referring to the center cap on an alloy wheel?

 

Khan T, 1997 wheels AND center caps, the whole enchilada, like the pictures posted by Al.

would you believe I still have the stainless steel hubcaps from my 1986 Aerostar? just put them up for sale today here in the classifieds.

I found a set of running boards for $40.00 and they are "in-waiting" for my next Aerostar, which hopefully is going to be a 1997 with the 5-speed tranny, but not the AWD.

 

Stock Aerostar plastic wheel covers that were on my '93. I gave them away, then got another set on the '97, on which I am running snows:

 

those hubcaps are not bad looking at all, I like a "classic" smooth look, now-a-days everything looks like pimp wheels. my '92 had Ford Escort hubcaps which I kept from 1999 thru 2012.

Mercury Marquis polished aluminum wheels would also look good in the Aerostar, they look like Jaguar wheels, though the offset might be wrong for the Aerostar.

I even thought of Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels as used in the old Chrysler 300. But ok, that's too far out.

ok guys, wish me luck, I'm going to see another '97 today, not exactly in mint condition but it looks "honest" and sort-of well cared for. We shall see what surprises await me.

I have been looking since March, they are all trashed, I've crisscrossed the state of Florida every weekend since I sold mine and everytime it's a shock and a dissapointment. I can refurbish a vehicle to like new, as long as I start out with a decent-condition example. Part of the Florida Aerostar problem is that there are a lot of snowbirds who bring their rusted Aerostar carcasses to Florida from the North or North East and try to unload them here to unsuspecting buyers. But they can't fool me! I bring a large beach towel and slide myself under the van! Takes me 5 seconds to find out!

it freaks them out!

 

Those ar the type of caps I have, but mine need a little refinishing. They are not being used.

 

I used the wheels off my 63 T-Bird, older style modular wheels that I like.