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15" wheel recommendations?

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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 02:27 PM
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15" wheel recommendations?

Well, after hoarding and catching some good deals on the old 215/75R14 tire in the past, I'm finally going to have to bite the bullet for a different size. I no longer have any stashed away and I used my last one this afternoon. A couple of quick calls confirmed that all the local places don't have them and can no longer get them. Mail order is probably out also.
So, with that in mind, can anybody recommend a good-looking 15" wheel to choose from?
I've heard some from certain Jeeps look good, so to the people who are using 15" tires, what wheel and what size tire did you use? Photos would be nice also.
TIA.
 
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 02:58 PM
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There are plenty of 215/70/14 tires available. They work just fine on my 93 AWD. Speedo is just slightly off.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2010 | 07:00 PM
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Really? Can't find 215/75/14? What about the BF Goodrich radial TA? I still have several cars that run 12",13", and 14". What will we all do? The used shops around here never have 12" or 14" anymore. 16" is about it now. I still find a few 14" at the local junkyards.

I don't have pics, but I've seen aerostars with the 15" steel wheel, 5 lug Mustang wheels, Full size mid 70s-80s wheels...which I really like, and Explorer wheels. Our local custom/tuner/import/4WD shop sometimes sells the white or chrome wagon wheels for $25 each. If you could find some in a 16" size you would really be set.
 
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Old Sep 21, 2010 | 03:24 AM
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early vans were with smaller wheels to get more room inside.

15" rims from Mustang fit aerostar with 225/60R15 tires.
 
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Old Sep 21, 2010 | 03:38 AM
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I think 15" rims from Mustangs have 4 bolt holes on a 4.25" diameter; will not fit Aero with 5 holes. Also, the offset is all wrong.
 
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Old Sep 21, 2010 | 03:42 AM
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no, Mustang 15" alloy rims fit Aerostar and Ranger
 
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Old Sep 21, 2010 | 04:50 PM
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Must be 1994 and later Mustangs.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 03:12 PM
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So why do you want to run a 15" rim? Unless you are upgrading to larger rotors and a better brake system, the 15" wheels don't really help with anything. You have to run a fairly low profile tire to prevent rubbing issues, and the low profile has an adverse effect on ride quality and the tires will have a greater tendency to wear down the sidewalls. If you want load carrying capacity, there are excellent tires for the 14" but in a 15" rim, you can't get anything that doesn't cause the potential for rubbing.

I have been through all that when I was looking at my options. 15" wheels just don't make much sense, because there are almost no benefits.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 04:57 PM
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225/60R15 are better for rought roads.

but no other advantages, some problems - yeah, to fit 235/60R15 I had to lift front end.



if you haul a lot inside van, look for ranger rims and use C (cargo rated) tires, less risk get them blown driving on bumps at high speed
 
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 11:38 PM
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The 225/60R15 does rub when you load it down. You can get a similar overall diameter tire on a 14" rim that rides even smoother too. The more rubber you get between the wheel and the ground, the smoother the ride will be.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2010 | 05:28 AM
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There still are plenty of 14" tires around.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2010 | 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by KhanTyranitar
The 225/60R15 does rub when you load it down. You can get a similar overall diameter tire on a 14" rim that rides even smoother too. The more rubber you get between the wheel and the ground, the smoother the ride will be.
In a heavy truck (which Aerostar may be classified) you really want more sidewall height to accommodate tire compression from the potentially higher loads.
 
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Old Sep 24, 2010 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Pablo-UA
225/60R15 are better for rought roads.

but no other advantages, some problems - yeah, to fit 235/60R15 I had to lift front end.



if you haul a lot inside van, look for ranger rims and use C (cargo rated) tires, less risk get them blown driving on bumps at high speed

Is this lift for the aerostar?
Where did you find it?
 
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Old Sep 25, 2010 | 04:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Bax2008
Is this lift for the aerostar?
Where did you find it?
In Russia. they use them to haul more in car
 
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Old Sep 27, 2010 | 02:44 PM
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I got a set of twisted stars off a Bauer Bronco 15x7. I'm going with 215/65/15's. Just having trouble deciding on what brand/model.
 
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