I want to replace my stock 15" wheels on my 99 Explorer with some used 16" or 17" wheels. I did some research to find which vehicles had a similar bolt pattern. Unfortunately, while the 5x4.5" bolt pattern is common to many passenger cars, the offset and hub hole size are not.

First, the specifications for the 1991 through 2003 Ford Explorers:
5x4.5" (5x114.3mm) bolt pattern
12mm offset
71.5mm hub
1/2 RH stud/thread
3/4" hex nut


The following vehicles have a similar pattern (deviations in parenthesis):
83-92 Ford Bronco II (70.6mm hub hole)
85-97 Ford Aerostar (hub hole not available)
91-03 Ford Explorer
04 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
93-04 Ford Ranger
86-02 Lincoln Town Car (70.6 hub hole, +9mm offset)
93-04 Mazda B2300
93-04 Mazda B3000
93-04 Mazda B4000 (+8mm offset)
90-02 Mercury Grand Marque (+9mm offset)
96-99 Mercury Mountaineer (+9mm offset)

I don't have data for 2005 and up vehicles at this time.

There are several posts on this site that say the Mustang rims will fit. Here is data for the ones that are close:
94-04 Ford Mustang (70.6mm hub, +20mm offset)
04 Ford Mustang SVT (70.6mm hub, +26mm offset)

Note that the weight of the car needs to rest on the hub, so hub hole dimension is important. Rims might need to be machined if the hub size is different. Many aftermarket wheel manufacturers use an extra ring insert to accomodate different sized hubs.

Also, the studs can be different and require drilling to accomdate larger stud sizes. All the vehicle listed above use 1/2 RH studs.

After 2004, the Explorer went to a +44mm offset.

If anyone knows something that would make this data and information inaccurate, please say so!

 

So what do you really want to know?

To make your task easier, I would suggest grabbing 16s from a later Exploder or Ranger platform clone. If Exploders had 17" before the redesign, grab them.

I grabbed 15" Exploder wheels from a 94 2wd Exploder and quit while I was ahead--I swapped up from the 14" deerhoof Ranger wheels.

I think car-part.com now has pics of the factory option wheels, so take a look there if you wish. Exploders normally have pretty nice wheels as it is.

 

I wasn't really posting a question, just providing information that I couldn't previously find on this forum, so I posted it just to make it available for future reference if someone else searches for it.

I have already found some inconsistancies with 2003 Explorers, some have a 44mm offset.

If anyone wants to post other successful match ups, please reply with your experience.

Unfortunately, it is hard to find used wheels for early Explorers that are still in sets of 4, but lots of single wheels available.

 

Thanks for posting this.
It's made my search for new Wheels more successful.

 

Good to hear it helped. I ended up staying with my 15" rims because I couldn't find inexpensive 16" rims before I had to purchase my new tires. In a way, I am glad because the tires have more sidewall for rocks and road hazards. But according to research, going up a size on the rim and down a size on the sidewall does improve street handling.

 

I don't remember seeing that post before Dan, but that is great info.

I'm going to have this added as a link in the sticky at the top if you don't mind.

 

YEAH! I'm useful!
I revived a useful thread!


I'm considering Upgrading to these rims for my 1997 Mountaineer. I've asked a bunch of questions from the seller about Warranty and Build Quality, and Hub Sizing, but haven't gotten a response yet. I like the look of those rims, but the low price scares me. I don't want to buy them and have them either not fit properly or bend on the first pothole.

 

I also know that....
jeep cherrokes have the same wheel pattern offset n/a

so with that in mind you have aption of these cars also

dodge trucks pre 73 -80 small bolt pattern (some 75 had big 5x51/2 wheels)
ford granada,maverick,mustang

just found out saturday that a fwd 93 buick has the same pattern bad off set
and small hole

off set and hole size na but if you like me and go junk yard hoping these are some vehicle to look for for custom wheels ...

 

CobraXP: I don't mind at all.

Pendor: The picture shows a 4-lug and not the 5;lug required. But I believe CobraXP put Mustang rims on his Explorer, so he can tell you how they fit.

 

I wonder how significant the 0.9 mm (0.035 in) difference in hub hole really makes. I've swapped wheels back and forth between my BII and Explorer without being able to tell any difference in how they fit.

I also wonder if that explains why the steel rim (from the factory) that my Explorer's spare is on fits so tight over the front hubs.

I note that the list doesn't include '83-'92 Rangers, though perhaps that was intended to be included in the BII entry (note that the BII went out of production in '90).

I also note that the Ranger entry doesn't go back to '91. '91 and '92 Rangers used the exact same front axle as the Explorers.

 

Hello There. I am new to this forum. I have a 1997 Explorer Sport 4wheel Drive, bought new that came with 16" rims. Those rims are shot, chrome outer face detaching, making difficult to balance, plus they like to leak. I have new tires on these rims.I have been on a hunt for reasonably priced A condition STOCK OME rims for quite a while with little luck. If anyone remembers, there was a roll-over issue with this Explorer and many tires stores will only mount on FORD STOCK RIMS. This past week I dove two hours to a tire place, not where I bought my tires, after finding a listing on Craigslist a set of 2003 OME explorer rims (so I was told) and paid to have my new tries moved to these rims at MY tire place. After install I drove about 2 miles only to feel the steering wheel wobble and then a clatter. The place where I bought the tires (discount tires) was good enough to put my tires back of on original rims no questions asked. The store manager noticed that although the bolt pattern was the same, the rims were not seating to the hub and/or that center hole was not a match. I read someone's post here stating that with the weight of the vehicle, that center hole must fit correctly. Makes sense. The place that sold me these rims, which I now think are not OME, is not going to refund my money since they had tires on them, which I had them pitched. At this place where I bought these replacement rims, one of the installers said they came off of his 2003 Ford Explorer, and they just assumed they would fit a 1997. Well they do not. MY QUESTION, FINALLY; (I'll have to sell them) If they fit a 2003 Explorer, what are the other vehicles I should list that they will fit on? Your help greatly appreciated. JJ

PS...does anyone recognize these brand of rims?

 

Not recieving any replies I've reposted my request for some info...
Explorer 1997 16" stock rimsHello There. I am new to this forum. I have a 1997 Explorer Sport 4wheel Drive, bought new that came with 16" rims. Those rims are shot, chrome outer face detaching, making difficult to balance, plus they like to leak. I have new tires on these rims.I have been on a hunt for reasonably priced A condition STOCK OME rims for quite a while with little luck. If anyone remembers, there was a roll-over issue with this Explorer and many tires stores will only mount on FORD STOCK RIMS. This past week I dove two hours to a tire place, not where I bought my tires, after finding a listing on Craigslist a set of 2003 OME explorer rims (so I was told) and paid to have my new tries moved to these rims at MY tire place. After install I drove about 2 miles only to feel the steering wheel wobble and then a clatter. The place where I bought the tires (discount tires) was good enough to put my tires back of on original rims no questions asked. The store manager noticed that although the bolt pattern was the same, the rims were not seating to the hub and/or that center hole was not a match. I read someone's post here stating that with the weight of the vehicle, that center hole must fit correctly. Makes sense. The place that sold me these rims, which I now think are not OME, is not going to refund my money since they had tires on them, which I had them pitched. At this place where I bought these replacement rims, one of the installers said they came off of his 2003 Ford Explorer, and they just assumed they would fit a 1997. Well they do not. MY QUESTION, FINALLY; (I'll have to sell them) If they fit a 2003 Explorer, what are the other vehicles I should list that they will fit on? Your help greatly appreciated. JJ