[Rob]

I'm curious, what do you guys really think makes more sense - getting 18's or 20's? I know 20's really fill up the wheel well, especially when your truck is lowered. So it makes the whole "package" just look tighter, more flush.



But as far as tread life and such, wouldn't 18's with a little more rubber make more sense? I mean after all, you hit a bad bump for example on a road and you could easily get a bubble in your tire which is an instant loss and a hurt on the wallet....anyone ever have these types of problems?



Anyone have any recommendations on which is better and why?

 

[xplorerdude96]

have 18's now, want to go to 20's, my feeling is 99% of the ppl who get 18's with X's will change there mind and get 20's, i thought 20's would be too big for my X thats why i got 18's, definitely regret it, and will lose money because of it, but its all good, live and learn

 

[Black Magic]

20"s all the way!

 

[eXplorerchic]

yup gotta have the DUB's

 

[Rob]

But look at 18's. I mean the fit perfectly in the stance of the Explorer and still have more tread. Like the Saleen XP8. Those are 18's...and I cant see anything bigger on that truck!

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

I like 18s on Explorers. Like you said Rob, 18s fit perfectly in the stance of the X. If I could I would go for 18s. Anything bigger just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Black Magic]

I do like the 18's. But it is like getting the 4.0 because it has good power. But later on the line you would want the 5.0. Yea, the 18's just like the 4.0 is great. the 20's and 5.0 is better. Just my view.

 

[Rob]

Good analogy. I see exactly your point. Let's put it this way BM, what rims would you recommend for my truck? You and I have very similar tastes (nothing real flashy, bling bling etc.)...I'm not looking to spend crazy amounts of money on rims and tires - $2k will do it for me...and even that hurts the wallet :word:

 

[xplorerdude96]

nice analogy, i have experienced the 18's and like them, im guna love having my dubs tho

 

[Rob]

What you have right now is 18's right xplorerdude?

 

[xplorerdude96]

yes they are

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

I do like the 18's. ?But it is like getting the 4.0 because it has good power. ?But later on the line you would want the 5.0. ?Yea, the 18's just like the 4.0 is great. the 20's and 5.0 is better. ?Just my view.

Good point Matt, I've never thought of it that way!!

Ok Rob, based on Matts wonderful analogy, I have rethinked what I said. Definately go for the 20s!!!

 

[eXplorerchic]

go for the DUB's! :!:

 

[Rob]

Does anyone have any concrete recommendations for rims, I'm still leaning towards 18's but I guess we'll see. I dont want anything really flashy or excessive chrome, to me that's not my taste.

:

 

[xplorerdude96]

do u want chrome, or do u like the polished or powder finish??

 

[Rob]

Preferably no chrome. But every once and awhile I see a chrome rim i like. But I definitely prefer polished/powdered finish.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

If you don't want flashy or excessive chrome then I suggest you get rims like Matt has that are powder coated or are silver painted. I'm not into flashy chrome either but some nice silver painted 20s would look great on your ride.

 

[Rob]

Matt's rims are like the exact look I'm going for. But I dont want to get the same rims, because I'd never hear the end of it. Plus, it's always better to be unique. I still think the Moda R7's 20" would be sweet.

 

[98X50]

Rob: I'll give you my take on this discussion since I just recently made my wheel choice. I think wheel choice really depends on the goal you have in mind for your truck. 18"s seem to be the better choice for a more performance oriented vehicle while 20"s will always have more show appeal. My X is a daily driver which has to compete with my weekend toy (read 1998 SVT Cobra) so performance and handling are my main goals when moding my X. When comparing wheel and tire weights of aftermarket equipment vs stock you will find that plus size combos can get real heavy real quick. I tried to find a good mix of eye appeal and relativly minimal weight gain. It seems trivial but you WILL notice the extra mass/diameter when you hit the go pedal. I also think that an 18" is visually the "right" size for what I am going to call a 2nd gen X (1995-2000 2dr, 1995-2001 4dr). A 01" up Sport or 02" up 4dr, however, scream for a 20" because of their large rounded wheel well openings. Your Sport, like my 4dr, looks more balanced IMO, with an 18". Now if you are simply building a show truck or want the most eye appeal/ego the 20"s are obviously the in thing. Keep in mind some lightweight 20"s are available (several Centerline models are around 21lbs or so!), BUT get ready to spend a lotta cash. Just for an example my stock combo was around 50lb a piece while my Moda/Scorpion combo is approx. 64lb a piece.

 

[Rob]

You're the one from EF/FXN with the Moda R7's right? 18" size, black truck? Yeah see I agree with you completely on how the 01+ Sports definitely "require" 20's....I've seen 20's on plenty of 4 Door Explorers of my generation and although it's a 4 door, I still am not really too keen on it, unless the truck is dropped enough...which is usually a lot...But then you run into a whole plethora of crap with a pretty lowered truck with 20's...



And yeah, it's not like the 4.0's have great acceleration to begin with so having 20's won't help. True. I'd rather have a mix of sleekness and still performance, not show, thats why I am not going with something like "bling bling" rims or chrome. I just want a wheel/tire setup that "compliments" my truck if you know what I mean.



Thanks for your input and glad to see you registered over here.