Not all wheels are available in the perfect offset or backspacing, so it's sometimes necessary to effectively adjust them with a good set of Ford Explorer wheel spacers. Whether you need a few millimeters or a couple of inches of clearance, wheel spacers are a great option for making your Ford Explorer wheels fit just right. If you're going for a flush look or need your wheels to clear a set of big brakes, we recommend looking into a set of quality wheel spacers for your ride.

Wheel spacers used to be very poorly made, and were often cast with pot metal that would crack if you over-tightened your Ford Explorer wheels. Most of today's Ford Explorer wheel spacers, however, are finely crafted pieces of machined aluminum or steel that safely push your wheels out for a wider stance and wheelbase, which improves handling and the overall look of your vehicle. Depending on the manufacturer and the desired thickness, Ford Explorer wheel spacers may come with extended wheel studs and/or lug nuts.

Q: What are wheel spacers? Why buy them? How do I know which size of spacer to get?
A: Wheel spacers are carefully machined metal inserts that fit over your hubs between the wheel and hub face to move the wheel further away from the hub face. Spacers are used to optimize fender well clearance for plus size wheels and tires or to give your vehicle an improved aesthetic. Giving your ride a wider stance is great way to add stability and performance as well. If your wheels are tucked far inside your wheel wells adding a small spacer can improve the visual appeal and also boost your ride’s handling prowess. Spacers are normally made of aluminum or steel and are simple to install so that even a shade tree mechanic can get the job done in no time.

Determining spacer width can be a tricky proposition. If you are spacing out the existing wheels on your vehicle you can simply measure the distance between the outer most portion of the tire sidewall and the inner fender lip. This distance will give you a rough idea of how much further you can safely go. Remember, to leave a generous gap between the fender lip and tire because the tire will deflect when under load. If you are buying spacers for a new set of wheels the best way to get it right is to determine the width and offset of your existing wheels and compare it to that of your new wheels. If you are buying wheels that are the same size but are offset 10mm more inboard than your existing wheels, then you can run a 10mm spacer to even out the distance and restore the look of your vehicle. If the new wheels are wider you must take into account the new added width when calculating how much spacer to run. If possible it is always best to test fit wheels and tires to your car, take measurements and then order the appropriate spacers. Spacers are often bolt pattern specific, so be sure to check your bolt pattern before ordering.