15 inch wheel upgrade
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Northern PA
15 inch wheel upgrade
I know there are other threads about this, but I wanted some Aerostar input.
Time for new shoes for the 'star, gonna bite the bullet and go to 15 inch. It's really bad for 14 inch choices for these vans, isn't it?
I'm probably going with 15 X 7 wheels, I'll stay with steel, and go with 215/65-15 tires. What are the rest of you guys running with? How big a tire can I get away with on these vans? I'm going to try to stay with backspacing as close to original as I can, so I can keep the wheel well clearance .
edit---- I found the Cobra wheel thread, I just hadn't refined my search enough. I'm still interested in what you guys are running for tire/wheel combos.
Time for new shoes for the 'star, gonna bite the bullet and go to 15 inch. It's really bad for 14 inch choices for these vans, isn't it?
I'm probably going with 15 X 7 wheels, I'll stay with steel, and go with 215/65-15 tires. What are the rest of you guys running with? How big a tire can I get away with on these vans? I'm going to try to stay with backspacing as close to original as I can, so I can keep the wheel well clearance .
edit---- I found the Cobra wheel thread, I just hadn't refined my search enough. I'm still interested in what you guys are running for tire/wheel combos.
Last edited by AeroPA; Nov 11, 2004 at 07:45 AM.
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From: Houston, TX
don't remember where I saw this (at 65 my memory is the second thing to go bad.....don't remember what the first was).....but:
An Aerostar with 18" Vision wheels and 225/40/18 rubber.......the site actually had pictures.
An Aerostar with 18" Vision wheels and 225/40/18 rubber.......the site actually had pictures.
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From: cincinnati hamilton
their was one aerostar with ford ranger rims on it in this forum not too long ago i think. i may have been in the galleries section, search under aerostar. i kept my stock steel rims (91) but put firestone indy 500"s all the way around. raised white letter. 225-70 still 14 inch though. on a full turn they rub alittle on the suspension up front. ,not enough to bother me though. rick 
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From: Northern PA
That's good to know, Rick. I went ahead and ordered 15 X 7 rims from Summit, and I'm gonna put 215/65-15 on them. Diameter is only 0.1 inch larger than the 14's I have on now.
I was thinking about 225/65-15, but I'm sure they'd rub even more than your 14's.
I was thinking about 225/65-15, but I'm sure they'd rub even more than your 14's.
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My 92 AWD seems to ride about 3"+ higher than my dad's 91 4.0. This leads me to believe I shouldn't have any trouble fitting 15x7's under there with maybe 215/70R-15's on them. Most star's I've seen you can't really see anything above the tire cause the fender well starts where the tire leaves off. Mine on the other hand, has about 2" between the tire and the well. Eventually I'm gonna get Eagle Alloys series 58's
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: SW VA
I have been looking for 15" wheels for a while now. The 14"ers are just odd for most tire choices. I found some new 15x7 (or 15x8) from center line (I think) for only $82 apeice.
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From: Portland OR
I also wanted 15" instead of the stock 14", but I'm also a cheapskate. I found a set of 15" mustang rims on eBay for $40. That included the covers. The backspacing is 4 3/4", and clears the front 92 AWD components. The center is 2 3/4" diameter which is larger than the 2 1/2" areostar hub so I purchased the ring to fill the gap. I put 215/60/15 tires on them.
I can't really say if the new tire size or just the new tires helped the handling but it doesn't seem to 'wag' as much.
The mustang rims have the somewhat the same general design as the original aluminum rims but it still looks like someone slapped on non-areostar rims.
<O
</Ojc
I can't really say if the new tire size or just the new tires helped the handling but it doesn't seem to 'wag' as much.
The mustang rims have the somewhat the same general design as the original aluminum rims but it still looks like someone slapped on non-areostar rims.
<O
</Ojc
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From: Northern PA
Got the wheels and tires on today. We thought they might stick out a little too far (went with 15 X 7), but they fit just flush with the fenders, with adequate clearance top and sides. Went with 215/65-15 tires, so no speedo adjustment is needed.
Seems to ride better, but brand new tires should. It definitely handles a little better, and has more "road feel." No rubbing at full lock either direction.
Judging from these wheels on a 2WD Aero, I think anything wider than 7 inches, with stock backspacing, would definitely stick out too far from the fenders, and might cause some problems with vehicle inspection. That's the only issue I could think of with wider wheels.
Seems to ride better, but brand new tires should. It definitely handles a little better, and has more "road feel." No rubbing at full lock either direction.
Judging from these wheels on a 2WD Aero, I think anything wider than 7 inches, with stock backspacing, would definitely stick out too far from the fenders, and might cause some problems with vehicle inspection. That's the only issue I could think of with wider wheels.
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From: Northern PA
Bronco, it'll take me a few days, but I can get ya some. I went with black US Wheels Daytona series 84 wheels from Summit. (They got here in 2 days, and there was no shipping charge. I am impressed.) It makes the van look kinda utilitarian, but I've always liked black wheels with just a touch of chrome, like trim rims and lugs. I'm not really much of a chrome or alloy wheel guy.
Matt, the 215/75-14 is listed as an alternative tire size on my door sticker, so you should be good to go. IMO, I'd rather go with lower profile for a wider stance and more tire contact on the road. But we all have different likes and dislikes.
I agree w/Bronco, 14 inch tire choices are disappearing. Everyone is going to 15, 16, and 17 inch tires, even on the ricers.
Oh, I ordered 15 X 7, 5 X 4 1/2 bolt pattern, with 4 1/2" backspacing.
Matt, the 215/75-14 is listed as an alternative tire size on my door sticker, so you should be good to go. IMO, I'd rather go with lower profile for a wider stance and more tire contact on the road. But we all have different likes and dislikes.
I agree w/Bronco, 14 inch tire choices are disappearing. Everyone is going to 15, 16, and 17 inch tires, even on the ricers.
Oh, I ordered 15 X 7, 5 X 4 1/2 bolt pattern, with 4 1/2" backspacing.
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in 3-4 weeks I'll be running Eagle Alloy's series 58 15x7 wrapped in Yokohama Geolander A\T+II's 225/70R15