15 inch wheel upgrade
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Explorer rims on the Aero
Recently I did the 15" upgrade on a '89 short using '92 Explorer rims and Yoko Avid H4S 215/65-15. As you know in your heart, the Aero's 14" wheels are dorky and tires are limited in variety. The Explorer's twisted star maintained the style of the original EB rims, but the offset is about 1" further to the outside. The result is a more stable, aggressive look. The Aero then had a slight identity confusion--an Explorer dejavu--but this is not necessarily a negative.
Yoko's worked real well. They are firmly planted, the fresh 3L motor can just barely break them loose on a rainy day. Ride is controlled, but not harsh. Not a loud tire on either the highway or in the turns.
Finally, the most amazing thing of all. At all corners, I replaced 10 year old Gabriel Red Ryder's with Gabriel LT Ultra's. For relatively little money, this one fix transformed the Aero from a tolerable ultility truck to a very comfortable, controlled and pleasant ride. Want to enjoy your Aero? Replace the shocks.
Stonemason2
http://www.hyperworld.com/images/auto/aerowheels2rs.jpg
Yoko's worked real well. They are firmly planted, the fresh 3L motor can just barely break them loose on a rainy day. Ride is controlled, but not harsh. Not a loud tire on either the highway or in the turns.
Finally, the most amazing thing of all. At all corners, I replaced 10 year old Gabriel Red Ryder's with Gabriel LT Ultra's. For relatively little money, this one fix transformed the Aero from a tolerable ultility truck to a very comfortable, controlled and pleasant ride. Want to enjoy your Aero? Replace the shocks.
Stonemason2
http://www.hyperworld.com/images/auto/aerowheels2rs.jpg
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
There is a girl running around here in a 92 AWD with older crome Ranger rims and they look sweet on the Aero (on I believe 215-70R15 rubber). It truely changes the Aero from a Mini- to a true truck look.
When I have the cash I will probably do that.
Although I have been keeping my options open and checking e-bay every now and then for Aero's with non-stock rims. So far here is what I found
(click the word to see the pic)
Mustang Rims
Ranger Rims (Newer Style)
Ranger Rims (Older Style)
Mits Eclipse Rims
When I have the cash I will probably do that.
Although I have been keeping my options open and checking e-bay every now and then for Aero's with non-stock rims. So far here is what I found
(click the word to see the pic)
Mustang Rims
Ranger Rims (Newer Style)
Ranger Rims (Older Style)
Mits Eclipse Rims
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I have the Aero with the '99 chrome Ranger wheels, it has made a real difference to the van's handling and ride using the bigger wheels, using 225-70-15 Goodrich tires.
GO FOR IT!
<A title=http://img85.echo.cx/my.php?image=00000321ux.jpg href="https://www.ford-trucks.com/lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://img85.echo.cx/my.php?image=00000321ux.jpg" target=_blank rel=nofollow>
GO FOR IT!
<A title=http://img85.echo.cx/my.php?image=00000321ux.jpg href="https://www.ford-trucks.com/lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://img85.echo.cx/my.php?image=00000321ux.jpg" target=_blank rel=nofollow>
Last edited by 94 4liter; May 15, 2005 at 01:09 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
Isn't it amazing that we wonder about 15" wheels for our Aerostar's when a 15" wheel has been used on a variety of Ford products, much smaller than the Aerostar? To this day, I could never understand why a 15" wheel wasn't offered as least an option, on the XLT or Eddie Bauer models. 15" wheels were common on the RWD Astro vans & GMC Safari/. Matt, I have WW P215 75R14 tires on my Aerostar now ('87 Short van), and they fit fine, plenty of room. Freeway ride is smooth and effortless @65 - 70 mph. Lastly, I forget who posted that they are using P 225 75R14 tires? I have not seen that size anywhere, and was wondering what tire company offers this size? Ed PS The 15" Ranger wheels, P225 70R15 sound about right!! I'd like to see a picture, if possible.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 29
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Click on the hotlink below for a picture. Here is my '94 with '99 Ranger-Explorer 15" wheels with 225/70-15 Brigestones. I MUCH prefer the bigger wheels on the Aero's as the 14's never looked "right" to me. Guess I'm just a bit old school in prefering a dished wheel as opposed to the new style with next to nothing.
I was concerned with a few things but there has been no downside with this change.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&...d=49683&width=2
I was concerned with a few things but there has been no downside with this change.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&...d=49683&width=2
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by 94 4liter
Click on the hotlink below for a picture. Here is my '94 with '99 Ranger-Explorer 15" wheels with 225/70-15 Brigestones. I MUCH prefer the bigger wheels on the Aero's as the 14's never looked "right" to me. Guess I'm just a bit old school in prefering a dished wheel as opposed to the new style with next to nothing.
I was concerned with a few things but there has been no downside with this change.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&...d=49683&width=2
I was concerned with a few things but there has been no downside with this change.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&...d=49683&width=2
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
Out of curiosity, has anyone tried fitting 235/75-15 tires and wheels from an early Explorer or similar year Ranger? They'd be a good bit bigger in diameter - just shy of 29", so I'd be surprised if they fit, or at least didn't rub. I'd like to know how far off they are...
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
I have a set of 14" alloys off a ranger that were on another Aerostar and a set of 15 " alloys that just came in to my friend's junkyard on an Aerostar -I think they are ranger wheels also-similar to the 14 inch alloys but have holes drilled in them all the way around the outter edge.Is there an advantage to the 15 inch wheels? I can have them for free my friend said and they are already mounted on an Aerostar -short wheelbase AWD though-not the long wheelbase AWD I have so I am guessing they should fit okay -tires even have tread and hold air -so I guess I could just order new tires in that size-So would you guys stick with the 14's or go with the 15's?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
TimLynch The wheelbase is the same, weather or not you have an exterded model or not. So those tires will fit. So go and get em!
B-Aerostar, go to a place like photobucket and you can upload the pics there and post a like here to the pic. It is free!
B-Aerostar, go to a place like photobucket and you can upload the pics there and post a like here to the pic. It is free!
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Thanks Ed, I appreciate the kind words 
B-Aero....Racerguy showed me how...click on the User CP link in the dark blue line that includes the FAQ and members list links. You can upload right from your own files..cool huh?!
Torsen...these wheels came with the type of tires you are asking about...no way, too much of everything! Height was the major though.
Rick...no changes whatsoever, they fell onto the van like they were a long lost piece of a puzzle
IMHO, Ford shoulda' sold them with 15" wheels...I'm a bit biased
Diff. view 94 4liter https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=77238&.jpg
B-Aero....Racerguy showed me how...click on the User CP link in the dark blue line that includes the FAQ and members list links. You can upload right from your own files..cool huh?!
Torsen...these wheels came with the type of tires you are asking about...no way, too much of everything! Height was the major though.
Rick...no changes whatsoever, they fell onto the van like they were a long lost piece of a puzzle
IMHO, Ford shoulda' sold them with 15" wheels...I'm a bit biased
Diff. view 94 4liter https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=77238&.jpg
Last edited by 94 4liter; May 17, 2005 at 08:19 PM.